Faroe Islands offer a change of pace
2010-09-29
Part of the joy of European travel is experiencing such vastly different cultures in such a small area. That's especially true on the Faroe Islands, which, although technically part of Denmark, boast a culture all their own.
When asked, many travelers will say "we are part of Denmark but not Danish," according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Most residents bear no ill will toward the seat of government in Copenhagen, but simply consider life on the islands to be separate from life on the Danish mainland.
If travelers visit these gorgeous islands, they'll likely see why. The islands are eminently beautiful, with sweeping valleys and mountains at seemingly every turn. The people of the islands live simply, some in quaint cottages lined with turf roofs.
In addition to the sheer beauty on display there, visitors to the Faroe Islands will also experience a unique culture. The Faroese are musical and still participate in rituals like village chain dancing, where everyone will link hands and engage in a chant in the old Faro language, which is still similar to dead Viking dialects.
Faroe also boasts its own cuisine, which relies heavily on lamb and whale-based dishes, although the islands are under international pressure to stop their whale-hunting tendencies.
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