emabromley4th to 9th October 2022
I knew that I would like Denmark as soon as I arrived in Copenhagen. It was so clean, neat and orderly, and such marvellous design quality in everything from their buildings, furniture, clothes all the way down to their cutlery and utensils. All this quality however, does make a visit to Denmark a touch expensive. I was only at the start of my travels so didn’t want to blow my budget. It was definitely time to eat mostly from supermarkets!
I had heard but not yet experienced quite how expensive Denmark was compared with the UK, yet even knowing this I was still shaken by the price of a sandwich in Copenhagen Train Station. It was only when I realised that the price was in Danish Kronas rather than Euros that I calmed myself and appreciated that a stay in Denmark wasn’t going to break me!
These are some of my highlights.
Architecture / Design Highlights:
1. Baagasvard Church, Copenhagen by Jorn Utzon (1973-76).
2. Louisiana Art Gallery, Copenhagen by Designed by Architects Jorgen Bo and Wilhelm Wohlert in 1958.
3. Aarhus Town Hall, Aarhus by Architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Moller, with furniture designer Hans J. Wegner (1937-41).
4. ARoS Art Gallery, Aarhus by Architects Schmidt, Hammer and Lessen (2004).
5. Danish trains are designed to carry bikes as well as passengers. The signage is huge, both on the outside and inside of the train , making it so easy to travel with a bike.
Culinary Highlights:
1. An open smoked salmon sandwich in the Torvehallerne food market in Copenhagen. Gorgeous as well as delicious!
2. Afternoon tea and cake in the Louisiana Art Gallery with Frauke (who I met in the hostel in Copenhagen).
3. Breakfast at the Woodah Boutique Hostel in Copenhagen.
Personal Highlights:
1. Staying at the Woodah Japanese style hostel in Copenhagen in a sleeping pod.
2. Feeling safe and at home wherever I went.
3. Riding 4km to the local village and train station on the bike I borrowed from my Airbnb near Aarhus. The saddle was far too high for me so l had to pivot on the saddle to reach each of the pedals in turn, but but it was great fun. I heard that Denmark is ideal for cycling because it’s so flat and yet it still has enough inclines and oncoming winds to make it a challenge, at least for me! No wonder the Danes look so fit, slim and healthy.
4. Having the opportunity to make vegetable soup from scratch in the original 1950’s kitchen at the Airbnb near Aarhus.
5. Discovering that I had arrived in Aarhus at the perfect moment to join the weekly tour of the famous Town Hall by Arne Jacobsen.
6. Meeting the couple from Copenhagen on the bench across from Aarhus Town Hall – taking and sharing their photo with them (which they loved).
7. Free internet / wifi and usb charging points on the trains. I didn’t know how much I took this for granted until I entered Italy to find very little service at all.
I thoroughly enjoyed the five nights I stayed in Denmark. I now see why so many of my Architect friends and colleagues love it. It’s definitely a country l would like to spend more time exploring. Needless to say, I would highly recommend.
