Copenhagen - A Climate of Fun!

It's been a long time since the Vikings and other ancient cultures roamed the part of Scandinavia that now makes up Denmark. But their presence is still very much felt in the area; pieces of their sailing ships, armor, and the skulls of warriors and their weapons are easily found in Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen. The artifacts are of course protected and housed in the Danish Pre-History exhibit at the city's expansive National Museum of Denmark. The Viking era was definitely not a fun time in history but it has been romanticized in dozens of movies and provided an infinite amount of mystical inspiration for countless rock bands working in the metal genre. A stroll through the National Museum of  Denmark's Pre-History exhibit allows for both romance and mysticism while at the same time separating fact from fiction. The tools of war are all here; cases overflow with displays of knives, arrows and spears. Some of the skulls on display have markings indicating that their one-time owners were probably not casualties of war but the unfortunate victims of human sacrifice. The giant musical instruments known as "lurs" may have had many uses but mostly the horns were used to sound a battle cry or to announce some other type of distress. But if you read the notations for each display you'll find that pillaging wasn't the only thing going on; the ancient cultures were also fine craftsmen who constructed mighty ocean-going vessels and who were also adept at artisanal activities like making carvings and pottery. The Pre-History exhibit is actually just one of many exhibits at the National Museum of Denmark but the allure of the Viking story makes it one of the most popular. So popular, in fact, that you may have the urge to visit the gift shop on your way out to purchase a replica of a Viking helmet, complete with horns. Yes, you'll look silly wearing it on the streets of modern Copenhagen. But don't worry---the fun-loving locals will understand! 

Copenhagen is very much an "outdoor" city that's easy to explore on foot, by bicycle or most uniquely, by kayak. One of the most jaw-dropping areas reachable on foot is Amalienborg Square where the views of Amalienborg Palace, the winter home of the Danish royal family, are spectacular. The photo opportunities outside the palace are numerous and the young soldiers who are on guard duty in full regalia don't mind if you take their picture. Frederik's church is adjacent to the square and the great domed building also makes for a nice picture. Then again, it's hard to look anywhere in Copenhagen and not find a great shot! The city has many buildings that feature modern design but a great deal of very old and beautiful structures have been preserved and still serve as places of business or residences. You never know what kind of treasure awaits down a side street or a quiet lane---take a walk and you might find a quirky shop, a little art gallery or a good place to eat. Danes like to eat healthy and Copenhagen has many organic restaurants tucked in amongst the pizza joints and smorrebrod (open-face sandwiches) places. At some restaurants, like the "people's kitchen"-style eatery Bio-Mio, you can watch as the cooks prepare your meal from farm-fresh ingredients. And yes it's hard to resist when you walk by a bakery. If you like sweet rolls then you absolutely must try an authentic Danish danish while in Copenhagen. Don't worry about the calories; an exploration of the city by bicycle will work them off in no time!

Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation in Copenhagen and it's quite easy for a visitor to find a rental and sometimes you can even rent them right at your hotel. One of the most popular cycling routes is along the seaside promenade at Copenhagen harbor. This area is mostly closed to motorized traffic and loaded with things to see including the world-famous Little Mermaid statue. She's been abused by vandals many times over the years but the must-see icon is currently in good repair and enjoying the view from her perch just off shore. Some folks scramble right onto her rocky mooring to have their picture taken---this isn't really advisable but there's no one there to stop you. It's best and safest though to just take your photos from the shore. As you cycle along the promenade you'll pass dozens of statues, some small and delicate and others that are large and eye-catching. Most of the statues have plaques that indicate their significance and some are quite whimsical. In one area there's a large statue of a bear and he seems to be staring at the nearby statue of a rather well-endowed topless mermaid! You'll pass lots of hip shops and little places to eat while you bike here too. And that's just on land; look out into Copenhagen harbor and you'll see lots of sailboats and maybe even a Danish navy vessel or two. At any rate, plan on spending quite awhile here as you'll want to stop often to check things out.

Another traditional way of seeing Copenhagen is by kayak. The city is built on a network of canals and many of its most picturesque areas are alongside these waterways. Just like the bike rentals, kayak rentals are easy to obtain as are guided tours. Depending on your kayaking skills and your stamina you can arrange one, two or three-hour tours where you'll paddle through scenic parts of town while having the sights explained to you by your guide. The canals have an interesting feature in that there are lots of cafes operating on ships moored to the canal bank and you can pull your kayak right up to these places and hop off to have a coffee and snack or a cold beer. 

If you don't feel like getting out on the water you can see many of the same sights by strolling along the adjacent streets. The streets along the canals are also where you'll find some of Copenhagen's nightlife, especially if you want to settle in at a pub to hear live music. McJoy's Choice is a good-sized club in the bustling canal area where you can enjoy music most evenings.

You'll have a great time in Copenhagen no matter how you prefer to get around and there's a reliable rail system that allows you to get to outlying areas like the quiet Dyrehaven deer park or Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world. But try Copenhagen on foot, bike or kayak and you'll fall in love with the city the way the locals have.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has direct flights to Copenhagen from Chicago, New York, Seattle and Washington, DC. www.flysas.com 

To plan your trip: www.visitcopenhagen.com www.visitdenmark.com 

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