This year, we decided to do something different for Christmas. We wanted to experience cold weather and possibly snow in winter. While the so-called “Winter Texans” flocked south toward the border, we flew north and crossed an ocean to Denmark. We spent most of our time in Copenhagen, which consistently ranks among the top cities in the world for quality of life.
We stayed in a lovely home in the area of Ørestad. It was a short walk to the metro at Bella Center and from there about a 10-15 minute ride to the city center. There were bicycles everywhere, and babies bundled up in thick jumpsuits and wrapped in cozy strollers, renaissance castles, pickled herring, and plenty of varm chokolade. The weather ranged from 43° F during the day to 25° F at night. It was overcast and gloomy and rained half the time, with intermittent moments of sunshine. It was dark by 4 pm. We didn’t get snow. Ironically, it snowed in South Texas while we were in Denmark.
On New Year’s Eve, fireworks exploded throughout the city. They easily continued for over an hour and even lingered for days after. On the first, the streets were littered with cases of exploded fireworks. We have wonderful memories of our Christmas in Denmark.
{Click on any image for a full-screen slide show and to view the descriptions}
Nikolaj Kunsthal was a church in the early 1200s and now houses the Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center.
Statue of Hans Christian Andersen in the Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square). Author of The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, and my favorite, The Princess and the Pea.
Tivoli Gardens amusement park.
Beautiful archway inside Copenhagen City Hall.
Alexander Nevsky Church, the only Russian Orthodox Church in Copenhagen.
Frederikskirke, or the marble church, has one of the largest domes in Europe with a diameter of 105 feet.
The Royal Guard at Amalienborg Palace.
Rosenborg Castle.
Lion statue at the entrance to Rosenborg Castle. A moat surrounds the castle past this entrance.
The throne room in Rosenborg Castle. I told my husband that clearly we needed one in the house. He just gave me a funny look and kept walking.
Nyhavn, a 17th century waterfront that catered to maritime businesses. Quintessential Copenhagen.
The Church of Our Saviour, a baroque church located in the Christianshavn neighborhood. The church spire is 9 meters high. There are 400 steps to the top with the last 150 located outside. We understand that the external spiral staircase was not open. Something about slippery steps and the possibility of plunging to one’s death.
View from Christianshavn waterfront.
We visited the Assistens Cemetery on a cold, rainy day. We found the resting places of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, architect Finn Juhl, and physicist Niels Bohr. I came across this grave decorated with a yarn-wrapped wreath and pom poms.
Beautiful path along the cemetery.
Finn Juhl’s gravesite. I thought it fitting that this bench would be located next to a furniture designer’s resting place.
On a visit to the Design Museum Danmark, we had the pleasure of viewing a special exhibit commemorating the work of Danish architect Finn Juhl. The exhibit Furniture for the Senses, Finn Juhl 100 featured several chairs designed by Juhl and other Danish architects. Here are a few of my favorites.
The Chieftain Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1949. Very comfortable.
Double Chieftain Chair by Finn Juhl, 1949.
Sløjfestolen, the Bow Chair, 1963, designed by Grete Jalk.
From left, the Drop Chair, Egg Chair and Swan Chair. Designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1957.
Kirsebaer, a lovely textile designed by Marie Gudme Leth, 1946.
And last but not least, here is a sampling of the delicious food we tried during our stay.
Hindbaer Snitter (Danish Raspberry Bars) and other freshly-baked breads at Torvehallerne.
Breakfast at the indoor market – lattes and hot chocolate.
Freshly-baked cinnamon rolls.
The Welsh Rarebit – toasted rye bread, savoury sauce of cheese, organic ham and baked beans.
Copenhagen street food. Not the best photo (taken with iPhone) but a delicious organic hot dog from a street vendor.
Varieties of fudge at Torvehallerne.
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Agujas 
What a fabulous trip! You certainly saw and experienced lots while there – happy memories. How ironic that it snowed in Texas while you were away!
We had a great time. I personally liked the cold weather.
Always wanted to go here! looks beautiful.
I was also wondering whether you could be so kind
to check out my review of Egypt, and leave any room for
improvement. Would be much appreciated!
x
It is a beautiful place. I would have liked to see other parts of the country but we kept near Copenhagen the whole time. We did do a quick 35 minute trip to Roskilde which I will post about later.
I looked at your blog for the Egypt story. Is it the one about the shark hotel?
Sounds (and looks) fantastic! Happy New Year!!
Happy new year to you too! We had a great time.
What a lovely way to spend Christmas. I’ve never been to Denmark, but it’s on my list!
I’m so glad we went. Our two teenage sons also enjoyed it.
You were in Cph and didn’t say?! Would have been fun to drop by and say hello, I’m only an hour away.
And sorry that we had all the snow in early Dec. 😉
I wish I had contacted you! I really needed help with yarn stores. I had a tough time finding them – they were either closed or non-existent.
There’s a really good one in Cph that I would have wanted to see myself, drat! Would have been fun to go shopping with someone who actually appreciates yarn.
Darn! I would have loved it. I did finally find some yarn. Working on a post about my yarny adventures in Denmark.
How wonderful! My husband spent over 10 years in Denmark and still has many friend there. Beautiful country…I hope to visit someday.
I would have loved to see more of it but we pretty much stayed in Copenhagen. There was a lot to do!
Denmark is beautiful! Picturesque!
It really is even with overcast skies.
Q – Good memories! Years ago I spent Christmas in Copenhagen. Friends were exchange students there. The sad note is that Tivoli Gardens was closed for the season. Thanks for the memories!
That must have been fun! It’s a great place.
What a lovely way to spend Christmas. I love Denmark as well. Abigail x
We did miss our extended family but we had our boys with us. New year’s was especially fun with fireworks everywhere you looked.
What gorgeous photos! Looks like you had a fabulous time! I would so love to go to Denmark… One day..
It is definitely worth the trip.
I’ll admit to being a total stay-at-home, armchair traveler – but your descriptions and photos make me think maybe I should reconsider…
I have to admit that having a cosy place to stay is important to us while traveling. We rented a house while in Copenhagen. Each boy had his own room and an upstairs tv for their use. Downstairs was a cozy kitchen / dining room / living room with a sleeper couch. We had plenty of lounging time and it was much more cost efficient than a hotel. Plus we bought groceries and made most of our own meals which also helped with costs.
Just wanted to let you know that I passed on the Sunshine Award to you! Here’s the post: http://notyouraveragecrochet.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/an-award-and-my-next-project/ And your photos are so lovely!!!
Hannah, you are so sweet! Thank you.
Lovely pictures! It looks like you had a great time 🙂
It was wonderful. I think I especially liked the weather – cold, rainy, gloomy. I’m just weird that way!
Wow! That looks like an amazing trip!
It was truly great.
My dream, Denmark at Christmastime! Thank you for sharing, and the pictures. Happy New Year!!
Glad you stopped by and enjoyed the pictures.