Copenhagen trip report

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toes in the sand
Posts: 994
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm

Copenhagen trip report

Post by toes in the sand »

This is part one of what will probably be a three part trip report.
Normally we search out sun, sand and sea for our vacations especially in December and January. This trip came about because our daughter was studying in Copenhagen Denmark for her fall semester and my wife insisted that we join her at the end of her studies. To make a long story short, we booked the week after Christmas in Marbella Spain and that kept us from staying in CPH for Christmas day. Looking back we all wished that we could have spent Christmas in CPH.
We arrived in Copenhagen in mid-December and stayed 6 days at the Hotel Danmark.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5340678629/" title="Hotel Danmark by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/534 ... 52c9b2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Hotel Danmark "></a>
The Danmark is a comfortable family owned hotel that is across the street from the Radhaus (city hall), two blocks from the Tivoli (worlds oldest amusement park), three blocks from the main train station and also three blocks from the west end of the Stroget (worlds longest pedestrian shopping street). It worked well for us as it was close to the area where my daughter was studying. CPH is a walking friendly city.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396911324/" title="x Malmo (9) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/539 ... 4c2251.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="x Malmo (9)"></a>
The metro is nice but it is still young and is not always convenient to all locations. When we arrived it was snowing. It snowed 5 of the 6 days that we were there. What I still do not understand is where the snow went. Streets were cleared but I barely saw a snow plow or salt truck. Although we heard that this much snow is not ordinary for December, the Danes seemed to take it in stride. It was nothing to see men and women riding bicycles through the snow, in the snow while talking on a cell phone and usually dressed for work.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396905910/" title="x Louisiana art gallery (4) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/539 ... 081d45.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="x Louisiana art gallery (4)"></a>
The weather was actually quite comfortable as the winds were usually calm.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396339703/" title="x CPH (01) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/539 ... e33806.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="x CPH (01)"></a>
We spent much of our time on the Stroget (Stroll) shopping and dining or meeting our daughter and her friends for lunch, dinner or drinks. At the east end of the Stroget is the neighborhood of Nyhavn. An upscale part of town that has the most beautiful buildings, shops and residences.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5392221140/" title="Copenhagen (13) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/539 ... 85d032.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Copenhagen (13)"></a>
During our stay we managed to visit the Rosenburgh Castle to view the museum and learn a bit of Danish history. The Danes it seems have an adventurous past. Learning and collecting flora and fauna from around the known world. We also viewed the crown jewels here.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396313683/" title="x Rosenburg castle (166) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/539 ... 12c89e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="x Rosenburg castle (166)"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396911632/" title="x Rosenburg castle (143) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/539 ... c14ba3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="x Rosenburg castle (143)"></a>
We spent an evening at the Tivoli which struck me as a kind of 6 flags from a much earlier time. It has rides and exhibits and many craftsmen and artists with shops and cafes.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5338878897/" title="Tivoli by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/533 ... ea6025.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Tivoli"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5339491372/" title="Tivoli by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/533 ... 96c04b.jpg" width="500" height="114" alt="Tivoli "></a>
We visited the Louisiana Art museum. My daughter was in charge of the day and managed to get us on a southbound train instead of the northbound that we needed to be on so I am confused about the exact location of the Louisiana except to know that it is on the water across the sound from Sweden. (I think. It was snowing and foggy and I was enjoying just being along for the ride). It was another snowy, magical day. The museum was warm and cozy and the view out to the foggy sea in snow covered gardents lit by gas lamps was dreamlike.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396305327/" title="x CPH (104) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/539 ... df007e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="x CPH (104)"></a>
This is a candy factory/shop that would cause me many problems if it were somewhere near my house. The smells were wonderful and the candy delicious.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5341320416/" title="Christianhavn (3) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/534 ... 2d18d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Christianhavn (3)"></a>
We spent one day in the Christianshavn neighborhood. A very nice part of town that once again had me just walking and admiring the buildings, canals and boats. The spiral spired church is Vors Freslers. I call it St Anna’s since the street it is on is Sankt Annaegade and that is much easier for me to remember and pronounce. Near here is a very unique neighborhood that I guess is about 4 square blocks called Christiania. I am told that this area was an abandoned soldiers barracks that was taken over by homeless and “hippies” in the early ‘70s to form a free city that was exempt from most Danish laws. It appears the they have formed their own government and loose infrastructure. If you visit Christiania do not bring a camera. You are warned upon entering that photos are not allowed and I am told that visitors who ignored the warnings have had their camera physically removed and destroyed. When you leave Christiania, the sign proclaims that “you are entering the EU” We found many unique gifts here including some artwork and hand crafted Christmas ornaments.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5341320422/" title="Christianhavn (5) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/534 ... 8e126b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Christianhavn (5)"></a>
We spent one day on a side trip to Malmo Sweden. The train trip was nice but it was an exceptionally windy day in CPH and the trains were on a delayed scheduled for some reason and waiting for our train connections was chilling. It was snowing heavily in Malmo and it was a magical day of strolling the streets and shopping for Christmas presents.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40431836@N03/5396908792/" title="x Malmo (11) by toes in the sand1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/539 ... 1d9ed8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="x Malmo (11)"></a>
It was snowing again (surprise) the morning we left CPH for Spain which made arriving in Alicante Spain that much more of a drastic change.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
FinsUp
Posts: 487
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:21 pm
Location: Maine

Post by FinsUp »

What an awesome opportunity...Looks like some wonderful memories...thanks for sharing!!
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linne
Posts: 1161
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 4:25 pm
Location: Denmark

Post by linne »

Congratulations! You are the first American here with a trip report from Denmark, and I have so much been looking forward to your report. I like my country and think Denmark has a great nature and many nice places and buildings. But when I see all the wonderful reports and pictures from other countries, I can be in doubt, if Denmark has something to offer a tourist compared to what you see in these places. So I was a little exited about, how you like it here.

But it seems to me as if you like Copenhagen and have spent some good days there together with your daughter, which I’m glad to see. It’s also funny for me to see “ a foreigners” description of buildings and places, I know. Your pictures are great; you can “feel” the atmosphere. Next month we ourselves take a trip to Copenhagen together with some friends. We are going to see Madame Butterfly in the new Opera House and will stay in a hotel in Nyhavn, visit Stroeget and perhaps Lousiana too. Nearly the same places where you have been.

It will be funny too to see your report from Malaga. Another place we know pretty well.

Thank you for writing!

Linne
Kealani
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Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:16 pm
Location: Southern NH

Post by Kealani »

What wonderful memories you will have. Thanks for sharing look forward to the next part.
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bubblybrenda
Posts: 549
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Post by bubblybrenda »

I really enjoyed your report and photos.

Christiana sounds interesting if not slightly "scary" but apparently you were simply a tourist without a camera and nothing to be afraid of. Amazing to think a place like that exists.

The fires burning in the park are beautiful.

What I really enjoyed about your trip report was the fact that you were there in the winter. Lovely.
~Brenda~
Coden
Posts: 2229
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:18 pm
Location: Ky

Post by Coden »

Thnx for the Awesome TR, I've been wanting to go to Europe over the Christmas holidays for years now. Just might have to kick that desire up a notch!!
Coden
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