imaginable kind of summer holiday. Danish summers are generally blessed with wonderful weather, too, so whether it involves swimming, cycling, kite-flying or even just a picnic in the dunes, the Danes really know how to get the most out of a day at the beach.
These days, an ever-growing number of British holidaymakers are discovering the appeal of a Danish coastal break - and how to enjoy the experience to the full, in true Danish style. The perfect summer's day would commence with a simple breakfast of yoghurt with berries, or healthy rye bread with cheese, before decamping to the nearest stretch of sand and settling in for the day. Summer temperatures generally hover around the 25-30° mark, so there's always plenty of opportunity to work up a tan.

Searching for seashells is always a popular pastime, while in some areas the more sharp-sighted beachcombers may even be rewarded with genuine pieces of treasure in the form of nuggets of golden amber.

Kids of all ages enjoy fishing for crabs at the many marinas that dot the Danish coastline. It's both easy and enjoyable (all you need is a stick, some string and a small piece of tasty Danish sausage as bait - and it's fun to engage in crab races along the beach before letting the creatures go again), plus of course there are countless opportunities for more grown-up forms of angling all around the country. Other child-friendly coastal capers include summer camps where kids can learn football, sailing and a host of other activities; while a visit to the World Sand Sculpture Championships at Søndervig (where international artists create huge sculptures in the sand) makes for a great family day out. This unique event starts on 9 June and runs until 25 October, 2010.

All these activities tend to generate healthy appetites, so most people pack hefty picnics to fuel them through their day at the beach. Traditional Danish open sandwiches are a popular picnic staple and are often followed by a soft ice-cream as a special treat. The Danes' favourite brand of ice-cream is Paradis, which is a low-fat variety made with all-natural ingredients that are available (and immensely popular) all over the country. Another favourite treat to help beat the heat of a summer afternoon is 'Koldskål', a sweet, chilled confection made with buttermilk, eggs, sugar and cream.

As the long summer days begin to draw to a close, people return to their holiday accommodation to enjoy another highlight of the Danish summer. Most holidaymakers stay either in tents or cosy chalets located in extensive, beachfront holiday centres (many of which have excellent facilities such as swimming pools, spas, sports equipment and activities such as horse riding). These can be found all around the coast and range from the fairly basic to the extremely well-appointed. Here, the Danes tuck into 'Rødgrød-med-Flløde', a stewed fruit dessert made with strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and other berries and served with cream. Foreigners may struggle with pronouncing its name, but it is nevertheless a delicious dish that's an essential element of the Danish summer's day.

As night finally falls, the Danes enjoy an evening by the camp fire. As the fires die down, they become perfect for the baking of 'sno-brød', otherwise known as 'campfire bread', which is made from dough wrapped around the end of a long stick and baked over the hot embers. Once baked, the bread twists can be eaten with jam, cheese, ketchup, mustard or even on their own, when the smoky taste can really be savoured. Then it's time to retreat to the comforts of the campsite to fall asleep to the sounds of the sea, before a fresh day dawns and you can do it all over again.