FISHING Wellstocked with bream, dace, roach, pike, trout, zander and much more, Denmark's lakes and rivers are a fishing enthusiast's dream. The only problem is bringing enough bait (much more expensive in Denmark than in the UK) to cope with the inevitably large catch. The time to come Is in early or late summer, and the prime areas are in central Jutland, around Renders and Viborg, and slightly further north around Silkeborg and Skanderborg. For specialist angling trips see "Package Tours" in Basics. FOOTBALL The success of Denmark's national football team in the European Championship of 1992 has stimulated interest in the country's domestic soccer scene. In general, the standard is roughly on a par with the English first or second division, although teams especially worth watching are Brandby (Copenhagen), AGF Arhus, and OB Odense. The season divides into two halves, from April to early June {forSr) and from August to October {EfterSi], with most matches played on Sunday afternoon; admission is 40 60kr and the local newspapers (look under Fodbold) and tourist office will have details. MARKETS Virtually every town has a market, usually on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. NUDE BATHING Trying for an allover tan is accepted practice in Denmark, although you'll be arrested if you try it anywhere except at the designated beaches which exist in most popular bathing areas. Details from the local tourist office. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS All shops and banks are closed on the following days, and public transport and many museums run to Sunday schedules: January 1, the afternoon of June 5 (Constitution Day), December 24 (afternoon only), December 25, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Prayer Day (fourth Friday after Easter), Ascension Day (around midMay) and Whit Monday. SAILING Experienced sailors can rent sailing and motorboats on many parts of the Danish coast; Kerteminde and Svenborg, on Funen's northeast and south coast respectively, are particularly wellestablished sailing centres. The Danish Tourist Board can supply full details. Danish marine charts can be bought at Sekortafdelinger, Esplanaden 19, DK1263 Copenhagen K. SALES TAX A tax of 22 percent is added to almost everything you'll buy but it's always included in the marked price. SHOPS Shop hours are MonThurs 9am5pm, Fri 9am7pm or 8pm, Sat 9am1pm or 2pm, Sun closed. DIRECTORYАЗ TIPS Unless you're in the habit of having porters carry your luggage, you'll never be expected to tip restaurant bills include a 15 percent service charge. History Spending much time at all in Denmark soon makes you realise that its history is entirely disproportionate to its size. Nowadays a small and often overlooked nation, Denmark has nonetheless played an important role in key periods of European history, firstly as homebase of the Vikings, and later as a medieval superpower. Markers to the past, from prehistory to the wartime resistance movement, are never hard to find.