India, Nov. 13 -- It's almost as if a wizard cast a spell, and with a crackle and pop, the old town of Odense materialised, straight out of the pages of a storybook. Step into the historic quarter and you'll be greeted by winding lanes paved with cobblestones, colourful timber-framed houses with chimneys, climbing ivy draping window frames, and wooden flower boxes bursting with bright red, pink, and yellow blooms. Little wonder that this surreal Danish town is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the most celebrated fairy-tale authors in history.

Andersen passed away over 150 years ago, but walk through Odense and you'll spot him everywhere: A bronze sculpture of the author sits on a bench in the city centre, happy to share ...