'Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen for meee!'
Next weekend Dr B. is taking me to Copenhagen for my birthday (and our anniversary, and Valentine's day, all happening within the space of two weeks).
In addition to the precious advice given to me by a Danish friend living in London ('It's cold. And very wet. And there isn't much to do'), is there anything you, gentle reader, would recommend that we absolutely do not miss, or that we should avoid at all costs? Bear in mind we are landing on Friday lunchtime and leaving on Sunday evening.
Lonely Planet's Best of Dublin guidebook was perfect for our weekend break there last October. Unfortunately, they do not make one for Copenhagen. Any recommendations?
Tuesday 24 January 2006 at 4:19 pm
The best thing in Copenhagen is Tivoli, but, er, it won't be open.
Be prepared to be disappointed by the little mermaid. There's a reason it's called the LITTLE mermaid. And as for the oil refineries in the background…!
Do go to the Louisiana Museum Of Modern Art. It's about an hour outside Copenhagen by super-fast train. Stunning modern building, with stunning views over the Sound (and stunning modern art, too).
You can get a ferry across to Sweden very cheaply, too, if you want to add an extra country. These days there's also the bridge across the Sound - it's one of the longest bridges in the world if you're turned on by that kind of thing (and I know I am).
Do go to Christiana - the hippie "free town". I hated it, but it's worth seeing, even though they apparently can't sell hash openly anymore.
TAKE WARM JACKETS! AND HATS! AND GLOVES!
Wednesday 25 January 2006 at 12:36 pm
I went in June several years ago and had freakishly hot weather, which I'm guessing you won't experience in February. Nevertheless, I would still advise hiring a bike and exploring the city that way. If nothing else, it just makes you feel like a local.
I'm a big brunch fan and remember going to a place just outside the centre of town (that bike came in handy) on Sunday morning which was great. It was a disused army barracks which seemed to be a club on Saturday nights, gradually morphing into a meeting place for hip Copenhagers to don their sunglasses, sip strong coffee and be gorgeous by late morning the following day. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called and have searched the net to no avail. Quite possibly it's no longer there, but if you get chatting with any of the attractive local boys, do ask. You never know.
A day trip to Malmo is also worth it, if only for the train ride on the bridge across the Sound. It seems I have similar fetishes to David above; long train bridges…. grrrrr!
Also, as David says, Christiana is a must. I actually loved it, but then again it was 30 degrees on a beautiful summer's day and we just got lost in the back lanes of the settlement. The inventiveness and creativity of the homes that have been built is amazing and it was great to explore.
Thursday 26 January 2006 at 2:50 pm
A couple of other things:
Great entertainment can be had by crossing the street when the little man is still red - this REALLY freaks the Danes out. It's a very, very ordered town - freakily tidy - you'll love it!
I assume you've already checked out the gay nightlife?
http://www.visitcopenhagen.dk/composite-1474.htm
We visited a brewery - Carlsberg, I think. Can't remember much about it - which is either a bad thing, or a very good one.
They brew a special beer for easter, which may already be available around the time you're there, which seems an unusual way to celebrate to celebrate the death of our saviour.
I hope you like blonde men! BIG blonde men!