Ranking reveals ‘happiest' cities in the world: See how the US fared
As is customary, Scandinavian cities scored highly in the 2025 Happy City Index.
Copenhagen, Denmark, was ranked first ahead of Zurich, Switzerland; Singapore; Aarhus, Denmark; and Antwerp, Belgium.
The rankings are based on six criteria: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility. They involve databases and interviews with people in the respective cities.
Two hundred cities made the list, where they were scored in the six categories, with points tallied to provide an overall score.
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Elle
08-08-2025
- Elle
From Bars To Boutiques, The 7 Most Fashionable Places To Visit In Copenhagen
The first week of August draws all eyes to Copenhagen as the Danish city hosts its fashion week, attracting stylish guests eager to see new collections from beloved Scandinavian brands. Between presentations from Cecilie Bahnsen to OperaSport, fashion editors make their rounds to must-visit stores, galleries, and chic wine bars. But Copenhagen makes for an excellent city break year-round. With a climate similar to London's and just a short flight from the UK, it's the perfect getaway for those who want to balance fashionable hotspots with historical and cultural sights. The city also boasts a brilliant food scene, from the storied brasserie at the legendary Nimb hotel to Poulette, home to Dua Lipa's favourite chicken sandwich. Here, ELLE UK shares the most fashionable spots to see and be seen in Copenhagen. Consider this your definitive stylish travel guide. If there's one place to head in Copenhagen right now, it's the Nimb Hotel's rooftop pool. Located in the heart of Tivoli Gardens, this legendary hotel has added another jewel to its crown with this pool offering panoramic views. It's the perfect spot to spend an afternoon before heading downstairs to the brasserie for dinner or perhaps the spa for some pampering. The rooftop is open to non-guests, but spending at least one night experiencing the hotel's world-class hospitality is worth considering. Bernstorffsgade 5, 1577 København. No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to one of Ganni's sleek stores. There are five standard stores dotted across the capital, but it's the post-modern (essentially a hyper-chic way of saying outlet) store in Christianshavn that should hold the greatest priority. Find the brand's signature pieces from bygone seasons at particularly favourable Oven Vandet 40, 1415 Indre By, København. Tucked opposite the coloured buildings of Nyhavn, Frederik Bille Brahe's Apollo is Copenhagen's bar du jour. In the summer, take a seat in its expansive courtyard from breakfast time through to late-afternoon snacks, served alongside exquisite wines. By winter, cosy up inside on its striped banquettes and watch the team at work across the open counter. Nyhavn 2, 1051 København. HAY will be familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in interiors, making its flagship store in the city center essential viewing. Here you can browse the brand's full range, including those signature colorful crates that went viral in recent years—and they're perfectly sized for your carry-on. Østergade 61, 2, 1100 København. Culture vultures should make time for Copenhagen Contemporary during their visit. Renowned American artist James Turrell has created a bespoke installation called Aftershock for the institution, which has quickly become a must-see for Copenhagen visitors. As a permanent acquisition, it will be there to experience for years to come. Refshalevej 173A, 1432 København. Det Kongelige Teater - Operaen (The Danish National Opera) sits in a striking Henning Larsen-designed building that dominates the waterscape on Holmen, a central island. Since opening in 2005, this modern opera house has leveraged its 21st-century construction to offer world-class facilities and remarkable productions. It's essential viewing, and the best vantage point comes from a water cruise — which should also take you past the famous Little Mermaid statue. Ekvipagemestervej 10, 1438 København. Beau Marché is a treasure trove of vintage interior pieces that will have you wishing for unlimited luggage space. Still, there's joy in browsing, and the shop offers plenty of smaller decorative items perfect for taking home, even if you're traveling with just carry-on. Ny Østergade 32, 1101 København. Freelancer
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Forbes
How To Experience Viking History In The English City Of York
In February every year, York comes alive with a celebration of its Viking Age heritage. Getty Images Few cities in Britain showcase their Viking history so proudly as York. Although the soaring York Minster dominates the skyline and draws much of the attention, the city's Norse past is never far from view. Known to the Vikings as Jórvík , this was once a thriving hub of trade, craftsmanship, and settlement under Scandinavian rule. More than a millennium later, that heritage still shapes York's identity, from museum exhibitions to everyday street names that trace back to the age of Danelaw. For travelers interested in history, York offers one of the most vivid windows into Viking Britain. Here's how to explore its Norse legacy, both above and below ground. No visit to York is complete without a stop at Jorvik Viking Center. Built on the site of a groundbreaking archaeological dig, the museum transports visitors back to the 10th century using reconstructed scenes, lifelike animatronics, and even historically accurate smells. The highlight is a slow-moving ride through a recreated Viking street, complete with Old Norse dialogue and glimpses into everyday life from blacksmithing and cooking to gossip and trade. Individual commentary is provided at each seat in many languages. After the ride, visitors can explore the museum's collection of original artifacts, including weapons, jewelry and tools unearthed just meters below. Guides dressed in authentic outfits are on hand to provide explanations. Although the attraction isn't a comprehensive history museum, it does provide some important context into York's Viking history and is suitable for families. Advance booking of timed entrance tickets is essential, particularly during school vacation periods, when tickets can sell out quickly. If you wait until the day, you'll face a long line, or miss out altogether. The Jorvik Viking Center recreates scenes from Viking Age York. David Nikel Don't skip the gift shop. Its selection of Viking jewelry, replica artifacts, and history-themed books is far better than your average souvenir stand. The Dig That Changed Everything The Jorvik Viking Center exists thanks to one of the most significant urban excavations in British history. In the late 1970s, archaeologists from the York Archaeological Trust began digging beneath Coppergate, a central shopping street, ahead of a planned construction project. What they uncovered was extraordinary: remarkably well-preserved Viking-era remains, including wooden buildings, tools, textiles, pottery, and even traces of food and human waste, all protected by the waterlogged soil. These findings offered a rare glimpse into everyday life in 10th-century York. Unlike many Viking sites, which focus on burials or warfare, Coppergate revealed a bustling urban community complete with workshops, homes, and trading spaces. Tenth-century coins bearing Thor's hammer on one side and St. Paul's name on the other, along with pagan-style burials, reveal how Norse and Christian beliefs coexisted in Viking-age York. It fundamentally changed how historians viewed the Viking presence in Britain, shifting the narrative from raiders to settlers. Discover York's Archaeology For Yourself Just a few minutes' walk from the Jorvik Viking Center, DIG: An Archaeological Adventure gives visitors the chance to step into the shoes of a real archaeologist. This interactive attraction is designed with children and families in mind, offering hands-on excavation zones filled with replica artifacts buried in synthetic soil. Kids can unearth fragments of pottery, bones, and other finds while learning how archaeologists piece together stories of the past. Guides bring the discoveries to life, explaining how layers of the city reveal centuries of occupation. For anyone traveling with children, it's an ideal complement to the Jorvik Viking Center. When Viking History Comes Alive Every mid-February, York transforms into one of Europe's liveliest and longest-running celebrations of Viking culture during the Jorvik Viking Festival. Viking reenactors march through York during the Yorvik Viking Festival in 2024. Getty Images This weeklong event brings the city's Norse heritage to life with performances from costumed reenactors and hands-on activities for all ages. Throughout the week, central York fills with energy. Living history encampments line Parliament Street, where traditional craftsmen demonstrate skills like blacksmithing, leatherworking and wood carving. One of the highlights is the March to Coppergate, a dramatic procession of reenactors complete with shields, battle cries, and historic flair. In 2025, the festival celebrated its 40th anniversary and attracted 450 'Viking warriors and civilians' to the march. Families can take part in everything from Berserker Boot Camp to the light-hearted (and oddly popular) Poo Week, where kids recreate Viking coprolites using clay and imagination. Evening performances bring Norse legends to life with storytelling and theatrical spectacle. While ticketed experiences often sell out early, many events remain free and open to the public, making the festival accessible whether you plan a full itinerary or just stumble into the action. The Language Of Viking History In York One of the most visible Viking Age legacies is in the language of York. Many of York's streets end in 'gate'. That's not because of medieval fortifications, but from the Old Norse word gata , meaning road. Names like Coppergate and Stonegate are everyday reminders of Norse settlement, even though they are pronounced differently in modern English. These linguistic traces, quietly embedded in the city's layout, are a reminder that York's Viking past is never far beneath the surface. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Step Into Norway's Viking Age History In Stavanger By David Nikel Forbes In Leeds, Shopping Comes With A View By David Nikel Forbes A Relaxing Day In Harrogate, Yorkshire's Historic Spa Town By David Nikel
USA Today
24-07-2025
- USA Today
Fine dining is booming in Florida. These cities lead the way.
SOUTHEAST | FLORIDA There was a time when travelers came to Florida for a few great culinary hits: Key lime pie, stone crabs, Cuban sandwiches or juicy, handpicked oranges from a roadside stand. Fine dining, for the most part, was not a priority. Not anymore. The Sunshine State has undergone a culinary boom. Migration to Florida has swelled in recent years, bringing young professionals, including chefs and restaurant owners, with it. Miami, Orlando and Tampa, in particular, have raised the bar, boasting Michelin-starred restaurants encompassing everything from sushi omakase to Scandinavian fine dining. Mmmmiami Miami hosts an impressive 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, and chef Shingo Akikuni says the boom can be attributed to restaurateurs offering 'fresh ideas and innovative experiences.' His Michelin-starred Coral Gables restaurant, Shingo, offers a 14-seat sushi omakase experience. Each night, an 18-course meal is artfully presented by chef Akikuni, who has some fish flown in from Japan. Also imported is the restaurant's interior, which was designed and constructed in Kyoto before being shipped to South Florida. The city's two-Michelin-starred restaurant, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Miami, is tucked into the Design District and has perfected French dining with gorgeously plated crispy duck, Icelandic halibut and lamb saddle. You can watch the chefs work from a counter facing the open kitchen. Stubborn Seed was one of the first Miami restaurants to earn a star in 2022 and has held the rating for the last two years. The tiny spot, helmed by season 13 Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, has a rotating menu that draws from Florida's native bounty. Its eight- and 11-course tasting-only menus are guided by the seasons, but Wagyu beef tartare, homemade ricotta gnudi and striped sea bass are signature dishes. Magic Foodie Kingdom Orlando has started to shed its image as a theme park-only destination, and the city has several Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants to build your trip around. Four Flamingos, a Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, is a color-blasted, tropical-themed offering from the Top Chef All-Stars winner. There's a smorgasbord of seafood options: smoked salmon croquettes, Florida shrimp, stuffed lobster. For dessert, save room for the Baked Florida: A Key Lime pie topped with flambéed meringue. BACÀN, helmed by chef Guillaume Robin, is a gorgeous homage to South and Central American flavors in a sleek dining room adorned with vivid art. Start with the El Cantarito a punchy mix of tequila, grapefruit, lime and orange juice that serves as a tasty prelude for the charred octopus, pork belly asada and lobster tostada starters. The mains are an amalgamation of Caribbean and Latin flavors, and the standout is the crispy Florida snapper seasoned with Guyanese curry and accompanied by mofongo. The Michelin-starred Knife & Spoon at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is farm-to-table excellence. Chef Tyler Kineman draws his ingredients from a handful of local farms and has a tightly curated menu of seafood, pasta and chicken dishes. But the specialty is steaks, dry-aged for up to four months. Bay of Bounty Tampa continues to serve up culinary ingenuity. The Tampa EDITION, the city's first five-star rated hotel, opened in 2022. With it came Lilac, a Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef John Frase serving caviar and Maine lobster as starters. Everything here feels well thought out: diver scallops on risotto and spice-braised rabbit are part of the four-course tasting menu and served in a glossy, emerald green dining room. Ebbe, a Scandinavian restaurant, earned its Michelin recognition last year. Inside, meals are served on a marble countertop in a minimalist, stark space. The menu changes with the seasons, but chef Ebbe Vollmer's signature dish is beets cooked in brown butter. Another 2024 Michelin winner is Rocca, where chef and owner Bryce Bonsack serves Italian fare in a relaxed atmosphere inspired by his pilgrimage to Italy. Beyond the handmade gnocchi and tagliolini, one of the draws here is the mozzarella cart — fresh mozzarella kneaded tableside.
