We at Bride Side are fascinated by the way Denmark addresses environmental issues. That’s why we wanted to share 10 innovations that justify their place among the most sustainable countries in the world.

1. A Danish supermarket sells expired foods that are safe to eat.

Statistics say that one third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. Wasted food also contributes to climate change, as it requires significant amounts of energy and water to produce and distribute.

To combat food waste, Denmark has opened its first supermarket that sells food with expired or damaged packaging at reduced prices. WeFood sells products that have been recalled from other stores but are completely safe to use. By reducing the amount of food wasted, this supermarket is taking an effective step in the fight against climate change.

2. Thermal complex with pools with sea water

It seems that swimming pools are an unnecessary excess for a country surrounded by sea, like Denmark. But the good news is that swimming pools can also be environmentally friendly. Harbor Bath is a saltwater pool complex designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) architectural firm. Built from sustainable Swedish pine, this sauna complex can accommodate up to 650 people and offers 2 saunas in addition to swimming.

3. A vertical wind farm that produces 1,000 tons of food.

Since all types of food are available year-round, eating local and in-season is simply a matter of personal choice in today’s world. However, food that travels thousands of kilometers to reach our supermarkets contains far fewer nutrients and has a huge carbon footprint. That is why the Danish company Nordic Harvest has created a vertical wind energy farm. The entire facility is housed in one building and produces around 1,000 tons of food per year, drastically reducing carbon emissions.

4. Denmark is home to the world’s first energy islands.

The energy islands are part of a project that aims to stop the increase in global warming. The islands will be powered by offshore winds, a step away from fossil fuel power. Denmark’s power islands will serve as a source of clean energy and are expected to generate power for 5 million homes.

5. Recycled wind turbine blades are used as bike sheds.

The Danes seem to be serious about the zero waste lifestyle. The city of Aalborg has found a new use for the old wind turbines. Made with materials that are difficult to recycle, the shovels in this city are not thrown away, but instead transformed into bicycle sheds.

The University of Strathclyde estimates that by 2050 there will be 2 million tonnes of waste from wind turbines. Therefore, its reuse will reduce the demand for new steel and reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production.

6. Coffee in Denmark is sold in almost entirely recyclable bags.

BKI Foods is a Danish company that leads by example in developing new sustainable solutions. The new coffee sachet created in collaboration with Polyprint is 99% recyclable.

While the change is invisible to the naked eye, the material change reduces the weight of plastic in production by 15%. Thanks to this, carbon during production is reduced by 23%. And the most important thing for all coffee lovers, the taste of the coffee remains the same.

7. The plant, which burns waste to generate electricity, alternates with a 500-meter ski slope.

Amager Bakke is a waste-to-energy company in Copenhagen. It exports energy for both hot water and the electrical network. Furthermore, 15-20% of the incoming waste can be reused for road construction.

Hiking trails cross the roof of Amager Bakke in the summer and it transforms into a ski slope during the winter months. Therefore, the unused part of the building also has its purpose.

Together with Depositphotos, the international content marketplace, we’ve curated the best places to watch in England. Explore the country with our mini guide and be inspired by authentic images. Keep reading to know more.

Big Ben

Topping most London tourist lists are the Houses of Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. Until 2012, Elizabeth Tower was called the Clock Tower, but it was renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the only monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.

Tower Bridge

Another impressive place to visit is Tower Bridge. It offers stunning panoramic views and a unique experience of observing London life through a glass floor 42 meters above the Thames.

City ​​of London

The modern skyscrapers located in the City of London are changing the face of the city and attracting admirers of architecture from all over the world. Did you know that the City of London is the oldest district of the capital? However, it does not look old, having been destroyed and rebuilt twice: once after the Great Fire of London in 1666 and after a bombing raid during World War II.

Chinatown district of London

Favored by locals and tourists alike, one of London’s liveliest and most vibrant areas, Chinatown is a haven for foodies and those interested in Asian culture. It’s easy to walk through Chinatown and see all the Instagram-worthy scenery and authentic restaurants. During your visit, don’t miss the area’s star, the Fourth Gate on Wardour Street, the largest Chinese gate in the country.

Natural History Museum London

A visit to the Natural History Museum in London is an unforgettable experience. The place will amaze anyone with its majestic interiors, world-famous dinosaur gallery, and unique events like Silent Disco parties or yoga classes. Plan your visit in advance to see all-time favorites like the impressive blue whale skeleton that hangs from the lobby ceiling. Or discover something new with temporary exhibitions and events.

Seven Sisters Cliffs

Immediately after visiting London, head to the Seven Sisters, a stretch of limestone cliffs on the Channel coast in south-east England. Walking along this stretch of virgin coast washed by the sea will give you an unforgettable experience and a breathtaking view of the white cliffs.

Lake District

Get out and enjoy the spectacular scenery and explore England’s largest national park. The Lake District, a popular tourist destination, is famous for its crystal clear lakes, rocky mountains and fantastic walking trails. This natural site has much more to offer if you are tired of panoramic views. The Lake District has inspired great writers such as William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin and has preserved its rich historical heritage where you can learn about their lives.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, a prehistoric site on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, is one of England’s most iconic and recognizable archaeological sites. It consists of huge upright stones arranged in a circle and topped with connecting stones. The site remains a mystery, and experts disagree on why the stones were placed there. Archaeologists believe it took 1,000 years to build. Stonehenge was and still is a sacred place; even today, druids and pagans gather here to celebrate the winter and summer solstices.

As the world begins to reopen to tourists, now is your chance to cross a few things off your bucket list. And England is a great choice for a long-awaited trip. Start your trip off slowly but surely with our pick of these 8 must-see tourist attractions.

1. Turkish baths, or hammams, delight both tourists and local residents.

The famous Turkish baths are appreciated not only for the relaxing effects of the steam. They also represent a very important part of Turkish culture as a meeting place and a deep cleansing of body and soul. These public toilets are very common and can be found all over the country. Another thing that makes them favorites among tourists is their impressive architectural beauty.

2. Tea is the national drink of the Turks.

It is true that there is a great coffee tradition in Türkiye; however, the most popular drink among Turks is tea. There is no special time to enjoy a delicious cup of tea. They start drinking it during breakfast and continue until bedtime. Offering guests a cup of tea is the greatest sign of hospitality, and in every Turkish home there is always a teapot ready to be served.

3. You can move from one continent to another in 3 minutes.

Istanbul is divided between 2 continents, Europe and Asia. To go from one continent to another, you can take a boat across the Bosphorus or just drive over the July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge. In just 3 minutes you will find yourself on another continent and on both sides of the city you can enjoy a rich history and an exciting mix of cultures.

4. Wildcats are respected and welcome everywhere.

In fact, Istanbul is known as the “City of Cats”. It is not at all strange to see cats dozing peacefully in cafes, restaurants or shops. In Türkiye, cats are highly respected and welcome in all establishments. People take care of them, providing them with food, clean water and a safe shelter.

5. A typical dessert is based on chicken breast.

The Turkish palate is used to exotic flavors and mixes of ingredients that are sometimes hard to imagine. This is the case of a very simple but familiar dessert: the chicken breast pudding. This is a creamy recipe that mixes milk, vanilla, sugar and thin strips of chicken breast. Finally, it is sprinkled with cinnamon and often served with tea or coffee.

6. Smiling at strangers is frowned upon in Türkiye.

The Turks are undoubtedly one of the most hospitable peoples in the world. However, when dealing with strangers, they can be very reserved. Smiling at strangers is quite awkward for locals and is even frowned upon. On the other hand, with acquaintances, the Turks are quite warm and will do everything to make you feel welcome.

7. Yogurt is essential in all meals.

Yogurt is an integral part of Turkish cuisine and is served with almost every meal. It is used as a base for cold cucumber and herb soups, sauces, condiments, and even ayran, a very popular refreshing drink diluted with water and mixed with salt. You can also add fruit and sugar, turning it into a dessert. There are no restrictions for Turks when it comes to incorporating yogurt into their food and drinks, sweet or savoury.

8. Shoes are left at the entrance of the house.

It is more than forbidden to enter Turkish houses with shoes. But unlike other European countries, where even shoes are taken out and left in a special shoe cabinet, Turks take off their shoes when they enter their houses. The owner will most likely offer slippers to his guests, which is why most homes have plenty.

What curiosities from other countries surprised you, do you know? Tell us what unusual customs from other places you would like to adopt at home.

1. Colossus of the Apennines

It was in 1568 that the Grand Duke of Tuscany purchased an estate north of Florence, Italy. It was his gift to Bianca Capello. Then an elegant mansion with a picturesque park, beautiful gardens, fountains and many statues was built. But only one of them has stood the test of time for more than 400 years: a giant brick and stone sculpture called “Colosso dell’Appennino”.

The magnificent villa has not been preserved, but you can visit the park with a majestic statue inside. It is open to the public on weekends and holidays, just make sure to book in advance and enjoy the great view and experience.

2. Giant statue of Marilyn Monroe

Forever Marilyn is a tribute to the famous actress created by artist Seward Johnson. She captured the iconic moment on The Seven Year Itch. But now it’s a 26-foot (7.9 m) tall, 34,000-pound (15,000 kg) sculpture made of stainless steel and aluminum.

It was first noticed in downtown Chicago, but despite its “timeless” name, the sculpture has been in a variety of places. In 2021 it was restored near the Palm Springs Museum of Art and will remain there for up to 3 years.

3. Ice Hotel

Every winter, huge blocks of ice are carved by hand at the Swedish Ice Hotel. And for more than 3 decades, it has been considered as a landmark of Sweden, which is a must-see for travelers from all over the world. The most interesting thing is that when spring comes, the hotel melts down and returns to nature. And the following winter, it is rebuilt from the ground up to open a new set of treasured memories for its visitors.

4. Tree playing song

This sculpture is in what was once an old British radio station. They broke up the lines and reworked them to create a 118-inch (3-meter) tall structure that uses the energy of the wind to produce a choral sound over a range of octaves. It was subsequently chosen by the British government as one of the works of art that have become a staple of 21st century British art movements.

5. Force of nature

Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn has created a series of sculptures depicting Mother Nature circling the planet Earth. It was a reminder to all of us of how powerful nature really can be. The sculptures are installed all over the world. One of them is located in London, UK.

6. Les Voyageurs (Travellers)

These enigmatic sculptures were created by Bruno Catalano. There are 10 life-size bronze sculptures in total and they can be found in Marseille, France. These surreal works of art depict people with large parts of their bodies missing, or vice versa, materializing before our eyes. In general, they are intended for different types of travelers leaving or returning home.

7. Spot!

Spot!! A 38-foot (11.5-meter) Dalmatian balances a cab on its nose. The sculpture is installed in New York next to the new Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and is expected to welcome and delight all visitors, especially children.

Sculptor Donald Lipsky likes to think the dog will make every parent, doctor, nurse, staff and neighbor smile every time they see this playful and heroic young dog doing the impossible. This is of particular importance to him, as he stops by the hospital every day after coming home from his practice. Lipsky is certain that art has real healing power.

8. Dancing with Dandelions

It is quite difficult to depict any mythical creature in any kind of art. But the sculptor Robin White made them very real and practical, as if they could come to life at any moment. He used stainless steel wire for his magnificent artwork. And many of them really look like fragile creatures that dance against the wind.