(Free image from Pixabay; no copyright.)

Jubi, der er sommer! (Hooray, it’s summer!) For most danskere (Danes), that means ferie (vacation). Fortunately, in a hyggelig country like Danmark, there’s always a lot to do – especially when solen skinner (the sun is shining)! 🙂

Kan du li’ at bade? (Do you like bathing?) Find badetøjet frem (find your bathing clothes) and join vennerne (your friends, literally ”the friends”) på stranden (at the beach). No place in Denmark is more than 100 km (62 miles) away from havet (the sea), and many inland locations have nice søer (lakes), so there’s really a lot of opportunities to swim (at svømme) – og just tage solbad (take a sun bath). Remember to bring a håndklæde (towel) to lie on, solbriller (sunglasses) and rigeligt med solcreme (plenty of sunscreen). And maybe a bold [bolt] (ball) or a frisbee.

Mange danskere holder af at sejle (many Danes like to sail). Of course, if you don’t have your own båd (boat), you really have to use your Danish skills in order to get a ride! 🙂 Renting your own kajak or kano is very often possible, though – for a great experience, go on a rowing trip on the Gudenåen river…

Sommerferien er festivaltid (the summer holidays are festival time). From the huge Roskilde Festival to small gatherings on tiny islands, the hot summer air is filled with the sounds of music. People drink øl (beer) and feel happy and alive i solen (in the sun). If you’re more of the quiet type, cultural Denmark has got plenty to offer, too, from kunstudstillinger (art exhibits) to guided tours in castles.

Perhaps you really just want to sidde i skyggen og slappe af (sit in the shadow and relax), below a sculpture in Legoland or a bøgetræ (beech tree) in skoven (the forest). Eat some jordbær (strawberries) or an is [ees] (icecream) and enjoy the moment. In Denmark, nobody ever knows how long the summer lasts…