O to Travel Denmark!

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio
Than are dreamt in your philosophy” - Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

If you are a Shakespeare enthusiast and great lover of travel, Denmark is your destination! These famous words from Hamlet prove that there is an undiscovered country that everyone must travel in Northern Europe, not yet “dreamt in your philosophy”. You must travel to Denmark! If you’ve ever heard the Prince of Denmark say these famous words, you know it’s true. In the play, Denmark is a mysterious and lively country, wrapped in a cloak of shadows and adventure, and in real life you discover when you travel to the “Kingdom of Denmark” as it is called by its people, it is much more than that. It’s the hub of Northern European travel. Denmark is the smallest Scandinavian country, with a modest 4.5 million people, but it’s so packed with history and intrigue that I’m convinced that everyone must travel to Denmark once in their life to experience a locale of unparalleled richness, and all the things you would desire travel to take you between “Heaven and Earth”.

The best way to travel to Denmark, the nation of Hans Christian Anderson, splendid modernist and gothic architecture and Scandinavian delights, is to fly straight to Copenhagen or Kobenhavn as it’s spelled in Denmark, and become immediately astounded! The warm, mild June air will dance across your face, and the sun will shine bright. It’s the largest and most cosmopolitan city to travel to in Denmark and all of Scandinavia, but it’s a perfect blend of metropolitan delights; like shopping, dining, and entertainment, while being so close to historical sites with Viking ruins, medieval castles, and rolling countryside. So, travel to Denmark!

Also, it’s such a pleasure to travel to countries that still have a traditional King or Queen, to really experience the mix of Modern and Historical travel sites. When you travel to Denmark, you quickly learn that it holds the oldest Monarchy in Western Europe, with Queen Margrethe II in power today. You can’t miss the beauty and simplicity of the official flag of Denmark the Dannebrog, which happens to be the oldest National flag in world use today. Now that’s classy. But that’s Denmark for you; the country of Hamlet the famous Shakespearean Prince! And in Denmark, travel is all about class.

Try lounging on a warm, romantic beach along the Baltic Sea; perfect for anniversaries and honeymoons. Tell your significant other: I want to travel to Denmark! Visit the famous Roskilde Music Festival where people travel from all over Europe to see, and even make your way over to the Danish Legoland! Denmark is a wonderful place to travel with children. Never has travel been so relaxed, unexpected and romantic. If you haven’t already seen it, get tickets to Hamlet the Prince of Denmark at the astounding Helsingor Castle. There are a lot more things you can “dream in your philosophy”. You can find it all in Denmark. Make Denmark your travel destination this year!

How do you Travel to Denmark?

So where is Denmark and how do you travel there? Well Denmark is located in Northern Europe, surrounded by the beautiful Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany, or Jutland as they call it; and has two large islands named Sjaelland and Fyn. The travel to Denmark is easy and affordable and can be done in a number of convenient ways; by air, train, bus, or ferry. When you arrive in Denmark, you also have the option of getting around by air, train, bus or ferry. So convenient! As part of the European Union, it’s incredibly easy to travel to Denmark from any other European country, and with some smart searching, it’s easy and affordable to travel to Denmark from the United States too!

Of course, the easiest way to travel to Denmark from the United States or other countries abroad is to travel to Denmark by commercial plane. There are numerous airports throughout Denmark in all its major cities and most provide Domestic and International flights with both private airplanes and commercial airlines sharing the same runway. Most people travel into Copenhagen because it’s convenient and quite inexpensive. After landing, it’s so easy to get on the train for Copenhagen Central Station, which can then take you to most places throughout Denmark. Travel back to the same station when leaving Denmark. Purchase your tickets at the Airport DSB Travel Center in Terminal 3. Commercial airlines that travel into Denmark are the fastest and most comfortable option!

Perhaps the most exciting way to travel to Denmark is by train, or with a Eurail Pass. It’s so enjoyable being able to see all the sites out the train window when you travel from another country to Denmark. If you get the Eurail Global Pass it offers total travel flexibility to go between 20 different European countries, including Denmark, whether they border Denmark or not. Plan a trip that starts in Madrid and ends in Copenhagen. Gosh, even stop in Paris along the way. You can travel by train throughout Denmark as well. That’s European travel at its best.

When you travel to Denmark and plan to go from small town to small town, buses provide a means of travel to places in Denmark where large trains and planes won’t go. Newly established bus routes in Denmark now allow you to travel to Fredrickshavn, or Esjerg in Jutland. Travel from Copenhagen to Aalborg, or Copenhagen to Hanstholm. The combinations are endless throughout Denmark and the price is very affordable. Contact the travel assistant or tour guide. There should be an English speaker to assist you. Should you want a more leisurely trip, travel by coach throughout Denmark as well.

For a little more adventure travel to or around Denmark by Ferry. The best way to find a ship or cruise line is to contact the Danish Tourist Board, or any search engine online. Experience Denmark via the Baltic Sea, or maybe the North Sea of Denmark on a luxury ship. Travel from a surrounding country like the British Isles or Germany. The ride is not long and the sea is wonderful, especially during the warm summer months. EuroCruises operates the ship m/s Kristina Regina which will travel 4 times throughout July, and stops in the capital of Denmark, the city of Copenhagen. It then it will travel on to 4 different Scandinavian countries on its 10 day voyage. Travel with an overnight cruise with Scandinavian Seaways, making its way to Oslo. Experience the wonderful sights and Scandinavian hospitality. That’s Denmark by sea.

Dine Like a Dane!

The sturdy people of Denmark for thousands of years have been harvesting those foods that survive in their chill and moist Northern climate, and over those thousands of years, those staple foods have creatively and artistically been perfected into what we consider Scandinavian cuisine. Some of the staple foods of Denmark include barley, potatoes, greens, rye, beets, mushrooms, berries, and dairy. These are just some of the foods Denmark is known for, along with its neighboring Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Norway, and Germany.

Denmark for thousands of years has been an agricultural society, and still to this day value is placed upon the freshness, quality, and locality of all its home-grown foods. Along with this freshness is the concept of “hygge” which means “warm, fuzzy, cozy, comfortable feeling of well-being.” The people of Denmark infuse hygge into their cooking and hospitality, which you’ll surely discover at local restaurants and eateries.

Based around this idea of hygge, the Cuisine of Denmark is all about good friends, good food, wine, soft lighting, music, and all-around gaiety. In Denmark the people are known to be very liberal, but when it comes to cuisine and dining, they are very conservative. Their sense of traditionalism is held strong, and they tend to keep these traditions alive.

There has been a shift in the past decades towards a lighter more nutritious cuisine in Denmark, focusing on fresh vegetables and fruits. So if you’re a health conscious person, Denmark is a great place to go. However the heavier, more traditional fare is still readily available, and in the rural parts of Denmark the food becomes even more traditional than the metropolitan areas, as does the hospitality. In the bigger cities of Denmark, there’s more of an opportunity to experience fusion meals, adding elements of American, French, Asian, and Spanish cuisine. It’s modern, chic, and delicious.

There are 3 traditional meals in Denmark, like the United States, and breakfast is called Morgenmad. Traditionally this meal is bread and butter, Danish sliced cheese and creamy cheese, strawberry jam and coffee. Often sliced cold cuts of meat are added to this fare. In modern Denmark, there is more variety, including cereal and yogurt. But a traditional breakfast sometimes still used by the elders and children of Denmark is a porridge of oatmeal and bread-and-beer soup!

Lunch, or as it’s called in Denmark, Frokost, is usually eaten at work by the Danes. The open sandwich, or smorrebrod, is the traditional lunch of choice, and still today. It’s usually a buttered piece of fresh rye bread with cold cuts of fresh meat, and cheese spreads. This is the base for the world famous Danish open sandwich!

Dinner, or Aftensmad, is similar to dinner in the Unites States, in that it’s the one time of day that the family comes together to have a meal. These are often elaborate meals with many courses of food and invited friends, who are greeted with a “Welcome Drink”, appetizers like shrimp cocktail, and for dinner, many kinds of fresh fish, pork, and game. Dessert can be ice cream, or a thin, crepe-style pancake! The people of Denmark know how to dine.

Unless you know a family in Denmark, you will most likely be eating out in Denmark. No need to fret, you’re in for a treat! There are all types of restaurants and eateries. Take the traditional café, for instance. There are so many of them in the larger cities, and you can pop in to get soup, salad, open sandwiches, pastries, ice cream, along with beer, tea, or coffee. Traditional people of Denmark don’t eat out very often, due to the price. Keep in mind the taxes involved in eating out, but know that it’s well worth the extra expense. Because of the expense, going to a restaurant is a long, enriching event. Start with drinks, and you’ll be served many courses of food. Get there early, perhaps 6pm, and stay for hours. Restaurants are fantastic in the bigger cities of Denmark, but also in rural areas and in hotels and lodges. Some of the best food in Denmark can be found in these more traditional areas.

If you need your fast-food fix, do not fear. There happen to be 7-Elevens, McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC in major shopping districts. Fast and convenient. Or try a “burger bar”, to get a quick burger or slice of pizza.

Cheers, to Denmark!

Raise a glass. Well, you’re on vacation in Denmark, so raise two or three! There’s some fantastic drinking to be done in Denmark. Of course, the favorite recreation of many people of Denmark is beer drinking, and for good reason, it happeens to be some of the best beer in the world. The pilsner beer is the most popular in Denmark. Coffee, tea, fruit wines, hot chocolate, and spirits are among the best. And like many countries in Europe, there are numerous bars in all metropolitan and rural areas for your convenience and pleasure. Try a tradional “welcome drink” like the kind served in Danish homes, includes a glass of champagne or a traditional Kir, beer, or cocktail.

In Denmark, you can find a good coffee and tea house along the streets of Copenhagen, or in the outskirts of Denmark. They are numerous and easy to find. Strong black coffee is served in the morning and throughout the day in Denmark, along with a wide selection of black and herbal teas for your enjoyment. Most hotels and lodges will serve these beverages for you in the morning, and again, they can be found anywhere in Denmark throughout the day and night. Sip fresh tea at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, or take a strong cup of black coffee at a café in the National Gallery of Denmark.

Fine wine is growing in popularity in Denmark. Just look at the Skaeresogard Vinyard, which is gaining a reputation around the world and was awarded the silver metal from the Effervescents du Monde. The changeable climate of Denmark makes it a ripe condition for producing fine local sparkling wine, which can be a lovely and refreshing addition to any meal at a restaurant or bar in Denmark, along with numerous imported varieties of hearty red, and crisp white wines that will please the most discerning palate. A bold red stands up well against the Denmark cuisine of rich rye breads and succulent pork. However, with the Danish fish try a sriking white. If drinking wine with your open sandwich during the day, a still white is always suggested or a fresh sparkling wine. In Denmark, the waiters are well trained and happy to assist with pairings.

The beer industry in Denmark is, famously, very popular. You can’t travel to Denmark without experiencing one of its world-renound beers. The industry is dominated by the Carlsberg region of Denmark, and is said to produce some of the greatest tasting brews in the world. Along with Carlsgerg, there’s also Tuborg, Wiibroe, Royal Unibrew, Albani, and Ceres, just to name a few of the countless options of exceptional beer in Denmark. Almost as countless as the breweries are the types of beer available. The most common kind is Pilsner beer, but there’s also the Classic, which adds more color and taste. A Guld Ol, or gold beer, refers to a mid-strength beer, and a Staerk Ol, is called a strong beer. While Hvidtol, or white beer, is a beer of Denmark unknown anywhere else. Brewed with white malt, it was the most common beer in Denmark, but due to its lightness is now consumed at holidays and by younger people.

Denmark Costs Money

Surprise, surprise. It does take money, or Danish Krone, to travel to Denmark. The Krone comes in denominations of kr 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000, along with coin in kr 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1. Also ore in 50 and 25. Personal cheques cannont be used in Denmark and be careful as some exchange centers won’t accept large foreign notes. There are ATM’s all throughout the larger cities of Denmark, and most establishments accept American Express, Diner’s Club, MasterCard and Visa. Traveller’s Checks are widely used at banks, hotels, restaurants and shops. Make checks in Euros, Pounds Sterling, or US Dollars for the best exchange rate. Banking Hours in Denmark are usually Mon-Wed and Fri from 9:30am to 5pm and Thur. from 9:30 am to 6pm. Additional banks in Copenhagen are open Mon-Fri. from 9:30am to 5pm. Some exchange banks are open as late as 12 midnight in Copenhagen.

Denmark and Customs

When entering Denmark, there are a few customs regulations to keep in mind. The limit of goods is very similar to what you’ll find in other European countries, so keep in mind that you can bring in a max of one carton of cigarettes, or 50 cigars. Only 1 liter of spirits over 22% vol. and 2 liters of sparking or still wine. There can be 50 grams of perfume or 250 ml of Eau de Toilette, and limit all other goods up to the value of 175 Euro, which is more than $250 US Dollars. In Denmark there can be no importation of any meat products or milk products from other countries, and importation of wildlife animals and plants is strongly prohibited. Pet owners traveling to Denmark need to review the community rules on pet movement, and prohibited items in Denmark include: drugs, illegal medicines, weapons, explosive material, and pornographic material. You must declare any sum of money exceeding 10,000 krone, or the equivalent sum from any other foreign country.

Shop till you Drop in Denmark

Get ready to do some pretty impressive shopping in Denmark, and especially in the capital city of Copenhagen! The most prominent shops in Copenhagen are located in Indre By, or “Inner City”. Walk the Stroget, the longest and oldest pedestrian shopping street in the world! There’s no traffic to contend with, and the outside air in the summertime is magical. The shopping throughout all of Denmark is one of a kind, from brand name stores and large chains to the more original, eclectic, and traditional. The quality of goods in Denmark is through the roof, but the prices can match the quality, so choose wisely. If you’re going for luxury goods that are hand-crafted and innovative, like clothing, electronics, glassware, and jewelry, save-up before you go to Denmark. It’s worth the price in the end for top-of-the-line goods. You can even buy a handmade bicycle! There’s nothing like the hand-crafted goods of Denmark.

Best Times to Shop in Denmark

Per regulations in Denmark, shops are allowed to be open Monday through Saturday from 6am to 5pm, but not everybody is open for this whole chunk of time so expect most shops in Denmark to be open weekdays from 9:30am-6pm, and as late as 8pm on Fridays. On Saturdays, many shops in the center of Copenhagen stay open as late as 5pm, and all shops in Denmark are permitted to stay open the first Sunday of every month, as well as the Sundays before Christmas in December. However, in Denmark shops are closed on June 5th, December 24th, and many other national holidays. There are pleasant and long shopping days in Denmark.

Festivities in Denmark; Let the Games Begin!

Don’t be surprised if during your stay in Denmark you come across someone dressed as a Viking and holding a chilled pilsner beer, because there are a lot of Festivals in Denmark that have this kind of fun! Come spring, this is when most of the festivals in Denmark get going. And in March Bakken, the world’s single oldest amusement park, opens with much excitement and revelry. Many traditional holidays begin in April, starting with the Queen’s Birthday celebration, so catch the royal family make a public appearance on their balcony at Amalienborg, while watching the traditionally dressed guardsman and flawless royal family.

A popular festival in Denmark, the Copenhagen Carnival, will ride through the city’s squares in May. It’s a quaint and colorful festivity for families. And for adults and children alike you must visit one of the many Jazz festivals of Denmark in June. The Aalborg Jazz Festival in particular is 4 whole days of free concerts all over the city of Copenhagen. While the Riverboat Jazz Festival takes place during the same month in Silkeborg.

One of the most exciting things to behold is the Viking Festival held in Frederikssund. People from all across Europe come to Denmark impressively dressed in traditional Viking costume, performing theater and traditional Viking rituals. It truly has to be seen to be believed!

There is of the course the Roskilde Music Festival of Denmark, which is probably the biggest rock concert in all of Europe. The best artists from all around will perform at this one, and it can’t be missed. If rock music isn’t to your liking try the Skagen Festival, which presents popular folk music, or attend the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and move-on to the summer’s last Jazz excursion in Aarhus every July. It’s the grandfather of all Danish festivals; two solid weeks of theater and concerts, sporting events and more. The whole city closes down for the festival, and for two weeks there’s nothing but celebration.

The Great Outdoors of Denmark

The lush nature and greenery of Denmark is world-renowned. There are so many countless options for being in the midst of nature. Drive along the Marguerite Route that takes you through the most stunning natural views of the country. There are many places to hike along the coast, or go fossil hunting along the plentiful hillsides. Mushroom hunting is also popular, along with exploring quarries and caves in Jutland’s limestone park. Get onboard with a tour for seal and porpoise watching along the coast of Denmark, or watch as people hunt for amber along the rich shores. Along with gardens and parks, Denmark is a treasure of nature.

By all means, get to Botanisk Have, or the Botanical Gardens between Gothersgade and Solvgade. They were founded in 1874 and offer some of the most peaceful and beautiful sights in all of Copenhagen. Explore rock gardens, trees, Dutch medicinal plants, the Palm House, the Botanical Museum and observatory.

If you’re looking for rich history visit the Kongens Have, the oldest park in all of Denmark founded by Christian IV along side the Rosenborg Castle of 1634. It was originally a Renaissance garden, but then was influenced by the Baroque movement of the 18th century, and took a more English turn in the 19th century. It’s full of lavish sculpture, including one of the famous Dane Hans Christian Andersen, who found inspiration for his fairytales in the garden.

No exploration of Danish nature and amusement would be complete without the famous Tivoli Gardens of Copenhagen. The oldest amusement park in the world, the garden started in 1843. It was built around the exotic style of the Orient, including theater, cafés, flower gardens and amusement rides like a scenic railway and merry-go-round. And there are colored lamps illuminating the gardens at night, along with occasional fireworks over the lake.

Accommodations in Denmark, you ask?

There’s a huge set of options for accommodations in Denmark, anything you desire from hotels to motels, camping, bed and breakfast, hostels, and romantic retreats for sweethearts, chalets, cottages, apartments, condominiums, and budget rooms.

Denmark is also great for special celebrations and occasions like weddings, anniversaries, family get-togethers and meetings of long-time friends. The people provide all the support and hospitality you can ask for regarding your beauty, transport, and catering needs. If you’re thinking of hosting a conference, workshop or retreat in Denmark, you’ll be able to find all the goods and services necessary. The accommodations in Denmark are just that; accommodating!

You have the freedom to spend as little or as much money as you like Hotels in Denmark. When staying in the capital city of Copenhagen with a lot of money to spend, try these most luxurious hotels of Denmark: the Imperial Hotel or the Phoenix Copenhagen. They are each 4 star hotels of Denmark and well worth the price for their beauty and refinement. If you want a little more budget-conscious hotel in Denmark, try the Comfort Hotel Europe. It’s always comfortable and clean, at an affordable price. All the cities of Denmark offer two to four star hotels, so never fear being left in the cold.

Ever stayed at a Hostel before? It’s great when you’re young and on a budget, and these days its not so bad for the more mature travelers also. If you’ve never tried it, let me give you the scoop. Take for example the City Public Hostel of Denmark in Copenhagen. It consists of dorms for 5 – 33 people, for male and female, with a garden view and separate showers for males and females. This particular hostel in Denmark is open 24 hours a day and is very comfortable and super cost effective, if you don’t mind some company. It’s very close to the Main Train Station and the Tivoli Gardens. Most hostels in Denmark have this same feel, and they’re scattered all over Denmark. The best way to find and contact them is through a search engine online. Just type in: “hostels in Denmark” to find some options.

Thinking of staying in Denmark for an extended period of time? Try an apartment in Denmark. To rent an apartment in Denmark is fairly easy, and if you’re staying for 2 weeks to a month or more, it’s incredibly cost effective. It’s pleasant everywhere you go in Denmark, so you can count on getting a lovely apartment in Denmark that fits your budget and time requirement. The easiest thing to do is to use a search engine online and type in the keywords: “apartment in Denmark”.

Ever stayed in a pension before? The pensions of Denmark are usually family operated, small in size, and very comfortable. It’s a very affordable form of hotel, and although there are fewer pensions in Denmark, they’re worth trying when you find them. Pensions in Denmark are great for young people, or those on a budget. Talk to a local travel agent to find one, or the Travel Bureau of Denmark.

There are more than 500 registered caravan sites and sites for camping in Denmark, so if you prefer a little adventure and a little of the outdoors, camping in Denmark is for you. At many sites, you can include in your vacation package activities and recreations that happen on the camp site. There’s the option of renting a cabin, a campervan or caravan, pitch a tent, or hey, build a teepee. When camping in Denmark, anything goes! And the camping in Denmark is some of the best in Europe.

If you’re looking for something more quaint and family-style, try a bed and breakfast in Denmark. They range in price from the very expensive to much more affordable. The services are usually warm, friendly, and much more personal at a bed and breakfast in Denmark than in a large hotel or hostel. Bed and Breakfasts are all over Denmark and in every city. Many feature close proximity to city centers, and some are farther away for more peace and quiet. If you prefer, some offer cable TV, and of course, breakfast is served every morning as part of the price of staying. Some of the bed and breakfasts in Denmark even have internet access if you can’t manage to leave your business behind.

Denmark is a Sight Worth Seeing!

“Denmark is a friendly, well-functioning oasis in Europe. Foreigners on holiday here meet free-spirited, informal people who have cleverly organized a unique society. A society based on love of design, culture, and social values.”

That’s how the Danish Tourist Board describes its country, and quite frankly, it’s a perfect way to put it. When you travel to Denmark you’ll see it is one of the most unique countries in the world, with so many places of interest and experiences at your feet.

There are so many amazing places of interest when you travel to Denmark, located on the flat peninsula that rises north above Germany; the Jutland Peninsula, where the warring Vikings once lived. The capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen, is quite liberal, open, and fresh. Its talent for design, art and culture permeate the air. Palaces, gardens, concerts, and great dining abound.

Of course the greatest place of interest in Denmark is Copenhagen itself. Once the Viking fishing village of the North, Copenhagen has transformed into a fashionable, cosmopolitan hub of museums, architecture, history, and incredibly friendly, visionary people. It’s the best of Denmark. There you’ll find the world famous stature of the Little Mermaid, the Royal family’s winter palace the Amalienborg, the infamous Tivoli Gardens, the National Gallery of Denmark that houses some of the most famous works of Danish art, the Viking Ship Museum, and the castle from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Shop on the Stroget, and get over to the Rosenborg Castle from the 17th century. No where is Denmark’s history brought to life in such a lavish, modern setting.

If the city of Copenhagen alone isn’t enough of a delight for you, travel to the Central Isles of Denmark! For all the fans of Hans Christian Andersen, he is the famous author of Denmark who wrote children’s stories, and was born in Odense, where a small cottage industry has been erected there based upon his storytelling. There’s a museum, along with shops and memorabilia. Buy a copy of his stories and take a tour through his home that stands today, open to visitors of Denmark.

Roskilde Cathedral is the most important national monument in all of Denmark. Since the age of Christian II, every single monarch of Denmark has been laid to rest there. It was commissioned by Kind Herald, and during the Middle Ages is become the mausoleum for the Royal House. It marks the beginning of independence and Christianity in Denmark, and simply can’t be missed.

For some of the oldest history of Denmark, visit the Jelling Stone. It’s often praised as Denmark’s “birth certificate”, as it was inscribed by Harald Bluetooth, who died 987AD, with the fact that he “made the Danes Christian”. Anyone who knows the history of Denmark knows that this is one of the oldest relics you can find there.

How about the famous Viking fort at Trelleborg in Denmark, erected around 980AD? It is in the vicinity of Slagelse and is breathtaking to behold. The diameter of the fort is 156m, and visitors to Denmark are welcome to wander in. Check local brochures around Denmark for ticket prices and other restrictions. It’s open year round, and you can even catch festivities there during the summer.

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