This is my thought while flying to Copenhagen. Silly? Maybe. But in a city where bikes outnumber people and you had better look before stepping off any curb — this is going to take some focus on my part. Because… I hate to admit it, but I don’t always pay attention to where I’m walking. 🙂 What can I say… I’m busy looking around, interested in my surroundings! Next thing you know, I fall off the curb. Soooo, needless to say, I did not tell my husband about the bike situation before I left town, lol!
So far so good… I’ve spent 2 full days in Copenhagen, walking everywhere. My Fitbit keeps buzzing me with balloons showing I’m hitting all kinds of milestones and going way overboard with the number of steps, hah! And, I’ve managed to stay out of trouble and out of the way of bicycles.
The people are very nice here and it feels completely comfortable and safe walking by myself. My taxi driver was so helpful, friendly, and kind… he told me all the places I should see, what to avoid, we talked about the language, city, culture, everything. Then, the gentleman at the front desk at my hotel told me how he ended up living in Copenhagen… he is from Australia, but married a Danish woman. He’s been all over the world and traveled extensively through the United States… and he’s a surfer! So we had a lot to talk about. Young woman behind the bar at the hotel… adorable and so sweet. Everyone in town is super excited and you can hear shouts and cheers all over town — Denmark beat Peru in the World Cup today. A lot of drunken revelry on the streets tonight!
Here are some photos and notes from the last few days…
First thing upon arrival at my hotel – unpack, a quick nap, and COFFEE! Then exploring…
It was exciting to read the list of exotic destinations… Copenhagen here I come!
Arrived and ready to get my passport stamped 🙂 — I like that part hah!
I need coffee… and what a perfect place to have it. Right outside my hotel, people watching.
Love these doors in my hotel room leading to the balcony overlooking the courtyard… and the church bells — perfect!
The view from my balcony… the Scandic Palace Hotel was built in 1910. Old world charm… with a nice rain shower head in the bath… and comfy pillows. Very comfortable room. AND the staff is so friendly and helpful!
First stop, Nyhavn… exploring this 17th Century waterfront area… back in the day, it was notorious for sailors, drinking, prostitution and who knows what else. Now… it’s filled with entertainment, restaurants, bars, cafes. Oh, and bikes. 🙂
Walking along the canal in Nyhavn, looking for a place for dinner 🙂
First night out, getting the lay of the land. Bikes are everywhere! Every street is lined with them.
How could you find your bike in this sea of metal? Fact – there are more bikes than people in Copenhagen. Danes are very serious about bicycling, recycling, and reducing their carbon footprint.
More bikes… starting to look like art to me!
This is one of my favorite pictures! She is all dressed up in heels and he is wearing a tux… and they both just got off their bicycles. As I said… very serious bike riders! I could never look that good riding my bike, LOL!
The gardens at Tivoli… beautiful.
Wandering around Tivoli Gardens… the 2nd oldest Amusement Park in the world. It was built in 1843.
This place! Garden/Restaurant at Tivoli called Gemyse. Surrounded by plants, spices, produce they use in their menu items. I wanted to live here.
Some more of the Gemyse restaurant’s garden at Tivoli.
Strolling Strøget.
Strøget is Copenhagen’s (and one of Europe’s) longest pedestrian shopping streets… tons of stores like Vans, Zara, Prada, Max Mara, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Royal Copenhagen, H&M, souvenir shops, and more. I walked this from the start all the way to Nyhavn. Oooh, stopped in a delicious coffee and chocolate shop called Hotel Chocolat 🙂
Got lost and stumbled across this outrageous market – Torvehallerne. It has over 60 stands with fresh meats, cheeses, exotic spices, seafood, wine, flowers, gourmet chocolates… and everything smelled and looked delicious!
Tons of flowers at Torvehallerne… gorgeous.
Fresh produce at Torvehallerne.
Frederik’s Church (Danish: Frederiks Kirke), popularly known as The Marble Church – forms the focal point of the Frederiksstaden district… and it’s right near Amalienborg Palace.
Legos! Lego Group was formed in Denmark in the 1930s… and the name Lego is based upon the Danish phrase leg godt, which means “play well.” Legoland is the largest tourist attraction in Denmark, outside of Copenhagen.
Dawn Nagle 