Perhaps no other place on earth can so effortlessly combine nature in all its raw and rugged beauty with cutting edge modernity. Jaw-dropping fjords, prehistoric glaciers and the greatest natural spectacle of all, the Northern Lights hobnob with state-of-the-art metal monoliths and slick architecture. But then again, Scandinavia is no ordinary place.

In Denmark it’s easy to see why the country regularly makes it to the list of happiest places on earth. The capital, Copenhagen, is a good place to dip a toe into Danish culture. With a fairy-tale past, this hip, buzzing city can making riding a bicycle to work look really cool. A culinary powerhouse, the last few years have seen an explosion of Michelin-starred restaurants popping up in the city with unusual frequency, each one serving impossibly chic food.

The chic vibe continues in Sweden, and most of all in the capital Stockholm, where the sense of style is all-pervading, right down to the last coffee shop. This ‘beauty on water’ is a cool mix of the past, present and future, with sparkling Viking treasures, narrow cobblestone streets, and futuristic architectural marvels. Swedish Lapland, that powdery, snow-covered wonderland, is truly a sight to behold at any time of year. The land of the midnight sun and the ribbons of green night light, Lapland is Europe’s last true wilderness. Experience it all up close in the lap of luxury, spending at a luxurious arctic retreat.

Norway, easily one of the planet’s most beautiful countries, is a breathtaking world of glaciers and fjords, sophisticated Scandinavian cities and exciting adventure from snowmobiling in the winter to rafting and hiking in the summer.

In Finland, go way up north right up close to the Arctic Circle in winter and experience the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Spend the night in a glass igloo watching the green wraiths dance through the sky and immerse yourself in the ways of the indigenous Sami culture. Ride through the snowy wilderness with hardened huskies as your companions, while reindeer make regular appearances along your path.

Next on the list is Iceland, where volcanic eruptions, gushing geysers and razor sharp glaciers continue to shape the landscape, all the while creating more things of beauty. But even though it’s blessed with more natural beauty than it can probably handle, there’s a whole lot more bubbling under the surface, lots of which is happily waiting to be discovered.

And that goes for the whole of Scandinavia.