Bornholm

Bornholm is Denmark's little slice of paradise sitting in the Baltic Sea, just south of Sweden. It's an island that's different from the rest of Denmark with its rocky coastline, lush forests, and stunning white sandy beaches. This place is known for its unique round churches, dramatic cliffs at Hammeren, and the picturesque fishing village of Gudhjem.

The island has a rich history dating back to the Viking Age, and you can still see traces of it everywhere. The fortress of Hammershus, Northern Europe's largest medieval castle ruins, stands majestically on the northern tip of the island. Over the centuries, Bornholm has been contested territory, changing hands between Denmark and Sweden multiple times, which gave it a distinct cultural identity.

Bornholm is also famous for its arts and crafts tradition, especially in ceramics and glasswork. Many local artisans still create using traditional methods passed down through generations. The island's food scene is worth mentioning too - smoked fish is a specialty here, with smokehouses being as symbolic to Bornholm as windmills are to Holland.

The light on Bornholm is special - it's clearer and more intense than elsewhere in Denmark, which is why the island attracted a colony of painters in the early 20th century. They came to capture this unique quality in their work, establishing what became known as the 'Bornholm School' of painting.