Copenhagen Trip

We have just arrived home from a five day holiday in Copenhagen in time Christmas. This was a trip we had long looked forward too. Although we visited Copenhagen last Christmas we had never dreamed of the opportunity to return so soon. The catalyst was visiting with my oldest friend Todd - himself born in Denmark.

We arrived on the afternoon of the 20th after a rather characteristic delay of 2 hours leaving a congested Heathrow. It was dark by the time we landed at 4pm but had no problem grabbing a taxi to our hotel - Marriott - along the Harbour. As soon as we had unpacked we gave Todd and Clare a call - also staying at the same hotel - and we headed out to explore.

Although the temperature was hovering around -1 degree the locals we telling us that it was rather warm for this time of year. Rugged up we walked the 10 minutes journey into the centre of Copenhagen and the Strøget shopping district. This part of Copenhagen characterises Christmas to me. Filled with street vendors, wonderful lights, and crowds of people, it epitomises a Scandinavian Christmas. We found ourselves a funky little street restaurant away from the cold and caught up over a Carlsberg.

Friday morning we caught a taxi to the northern end of Copenhagen to visit the famed Little Mermaid. There were only a few other like minded travellers braving the cold. We made our way to Amalienborg Palace via the Kastellet - original fortifications guarding the harbour entrance - in time to see the changing of the guard. Todd struck up a conversation with a policeman. His Danish is actually quite good!

Not far from the palace is the popular Nyhavn. This canal is fronted by colourful terraced homes and lcaed with restaurants and street vendors. We grabbed a warming glass of Glogg - mulled wine - together with a traditional polser (Danish Hot Dog).

We all spent the evening at Tivoli. What a wonderful place to spend Christmas time. We strolled the stalls and dabbled in Glogg, sweet treats, and perusing Christmas decorations. Of course, no trip to the Tivoli is complete without the rides. James and Merrilyn braved the "big boys" swinging chairs - a favourite of James' at Legoland in Windsor. Todd, Clare, and I went on the rather more adventurous chair ride that capapults you to a great height over the park. I freely admit to vertigo that had me questioning my sanity not long into the ride. But it soon settled and I was left with the screaming cold wind as we were flung through the evening air. After all the fun we found a warm nook in a restaurant to tuck into some more traditional fare - Danish Christmas Pork.

Saturday morning we took a canal tour around Copenhagen. It gave us a different perspective on some familiar landmarks and an opportunity to see sights such as the Opera House at close range. We had not realised the extensive canal network within Copenhagen. There are now many housing developments that take advantage of the water access together with the central location. The afternoon was spent shopping for clothes and Christmas decorations.

Todd and Clare left early Sunday morning to visit family in Odense. We took the opportunity to join a bus tour of North Zeeland to see three magnificent castles: Frederiksborg, Fredensborg, and Kronborg. Frederiksborg is also a National Museum housing many cultural treasures such as paintings, and the constitution. The palace church is used for crowing the monarchy and is adorned with many coats of arms - including Crown Princess Mary and Lord Baden Powell.

Perhaps the most interesting castle was Kronborg. It was constructed in the 1420s along the cost only 4kms from the Swedish mainland. It is also the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. Although Hamlet himself is fictional we were told that Shakespeare spent time at the Castle which then inspired his work. Fokelore perhaps - but very interesting. To add to the atmosphere, cauldrons of fire were burning outer walls. And floating on the moat were clumps of candles - placed there by well wishers rather like the prayer candles in a church.

Photos are here.