Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen boasts CopenHill (Amager Bakke), a state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plant that doubles as an artificial ski slope, hiking trail, and climbing wall, offering year-round outdoor sports in an unexpected urban setting.

Copenhagen is home to Freetown Christiania, a unique, self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood founded by squatters in 1971, which operates under its own set of rules and has become a distinct cultural landmark within the city.

Copenhagen's inner harbor is so remarkably clean that locals and tourists regularly swim in designated areas like 'Havnebadet Islands Brygge,' a testament to the city's commitment to urban environmental quality and a modern achievement in city planning.

There are officially more bicycles than people in Copenhagen, with an estimated 675,000 bicycles for approximately 650,000 residents, highlighting its status as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

While often called 'Danish pastry' abroad, in Denmark, this sweet treat is known as 'wienerbrød' (Viennese bread), a nod to its Austrian origins brought to Denmark by bakers in the mid-19th century.

Copenhagen's 17th-century Round Tower (Rundetaarn) is unique for having a wide, spiral equestrian ramp instead of stairs, originally designed to allow a horse and carriage to transport books and equipment to the observatory at the top.

Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843, is one of the world's oldest operating amusement parks and famously inspired Walt Disney during his visits, influencing the design and concept of Disneyland.

The iconic Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, is notably smaller than many visitors expect, standing at just 1.25 meters (4.1 feet) tall, a common surprise for first-time tourists.