On the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark

 "My wife's brother has a little house on a small island in the Baltic Sea, and we go there at Christmas. The 30-minute crossing from the mainland to this island is the most terrifying cruise you'll ever take." -- Nick Frost

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(on the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark) The sunniest part of Denmark, Bornholm island is found in the Baltic Sea, 105 miles (169 km) southeast of Copenhagen and 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Sweden. Once a Viking stronghold, independent until the 10th century, it was controlled by Sweden and then, in the 16th century, by Lübeck (a German city of the Hanseatic League). Awarded to Sweden by the 1658 Treaty of Roskilde, Bornholm was turned over to Denmark in 1660. It was occupied by the Germans during World War II and was bombed by the Russians in 1945 to hasten the German surrender. Featured here is the town of Gudhjem on Bornholm, which is known for its stunning chalk cliffs, lush forests and pristine white beaches. Gudhjem is crowned by a windmill that stands over the sloping streets and half-timbered houses. This is Denmark’s only mountain town, built into the rocky terrain and up the Bokul mountain range. By climbing the mountain, visitors are rewarded with a dazzling view of the town, its red roofs, harbor, and the churning Baltic sea beyond.