Klitmøller, Denmark

CREDIT: MARTIN LLADO/GETTY IMAGES

Surfing in Denmark? It’s legit! Consistent breaks and large swells — ideal conditions for both beginners and pro surfers — earned the town of Klitmøller, on the edge of the North Sea, the nickname “Cold Hawaii.” Cold Hawaii Surf Camp is the place to go for lessons and rental gear; further inland, the sandy dunes and glimmering lakes of Thy National Park are ideal for hiking. Just under an hour’s drive away is the region’s choicest stay: the new Svinkløv Badehotel. After a devastating fire destroyed the original 90-year-old hotel in 2016, Danish chef Kenneth Toft-Hansen spent nearly three years bringing the much-loved property back to life. The barn-like wooden building houses 36 white slatted rooms with raffia rugs, floral curtains, and windows that overlook the wind-beaten dunes and ocean. In the sunny restaurant, Toft-Hansen, a recent Bocuse D’Or winner, serves approachable yet inventive dishes like steamed cod with crispy pimento crumble and no-fuss fishcakes with fries. — Mary Holland