Lying in northern Europe between Scandinavia and Europe is the
small country of Denmark. Occupying an area of 42,930 square kilometers,
the country is home to 5.2 million people. Denmark is a lowland
of fertile farms, rolling hills, beech woods and moors. The country
can trace its linguistic and cultural roots back to when the area
was settled by the Danes, a tribe thought to have migrated south
from Sweden around 500 AD. Despite its small size, Denmark ruled
Norway for three centuries and Iceland from 1380 until 1918. The
Kingdom of Denmark still includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands,
but both are pretty much self-governing. The Danes are a casual,
relaxed people as is shown in their enthusiasm for small cafe's
and pubs. Some famous Danes include the fairy tale King Hans Christian
Anderson and Karen Blixen who wrote Out of Africa and Babette’s
Feast. Both books have been made into successful films.
Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, is Scandinavia’s
biggest and liveliest city. One of the oldest and most beautiful
of the European capitals, it is an important seaport, a commercial
hub and a seat of royalty. It boasts the world’s longest
pedestrian mall, the Amalienborg Palace (home of the royal family
since 1794), and the Little Mermaid statue which sits on the waterfront
just north of the city centre. The lively university town of Arhus,
in Jutland, boasts one of the country’s best music and entertainment
scenes. Near the town of Billund, in Jutland, lies Legoland -
a 10-hectare theme park built from plastic Lego blocks. Denmark
is one of the most cycle-friendly countries in Europe. It is criss-crossed
with hundreds of miles of established cycling routes - making
this an ideal way to explore the country. Windsurfing, yachting,
swimming, and fishing opportunities abound. Sample some Danish
specialities - gravid laks (cured salmon marinated in dill and
served with a sweet mustard sauce), wienerbrod (the rich pastry
known as a "Danish" in most other countries), and floeskesteg
(roast pork with crackling). And don’t forget to down a pint
of the country’s excellent beers - Carlsberg and Tuborg.
Full country name: The Kingdom of Denmark
Area : 42,930 sq km
Population : 5,356,000
Capital city : Copenhagen (pop 1.8 million)
People : 95% Danish; 5% foreign nationals
Language : Danish; English & German are widely spoken
Religion : Lutheran
Government : Constitutional monarchy
Facts for the Traveler
Visas : Most Western nationals, including Americans, citizens
of EU countries, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Malaysians,
Singaporeans and most South Americans do not need a visa.
Health risks : No Health risks.
Time : GMT/UTC plus one hour (plus two in summer)
Electricity : 220 volts, 50Hz
Weights & measures : Metric
Climate
Denmark has a mild climate with no extremes of heat or cold. In
the light summer months of June to August, the average daytime
temperature is 19.5 degrees centigrade and in February - the coldest
month - the average is 1.2 degrees centigrade. This makes Copenhagen's
weather much more like London's or Amsterdam's than that of the
other Scandinavian capitals.
Shopping / Tax Refunds
Denmark has set the pace for modern design the world over.
High-quality cutlery, textiles, furs, silver, fine glassware,
furniture and even hi-fi stereo equipment bear the hallmark of
quality Danish craftsmanship. Look also for lovely jewellery made
of Danish amber, which washes up on Jutland’s east coast
beaches. Here is listed information on prices, shopping hours,
tax free shopping and much more.
Business Hours
According to the Danish regulations, shops may be open from
Monday 6am to Saturday 5pm, but the general opening hours on weekdays
are from 9.30/10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and 7/8 p.m. (Fridays). Alchohol
must not be sold from shops, etc. during the hours 8 p.m. to 6
a.m.
Some shops in Copenhagen and in tourist areas stay open beyond
the normal opening hours. On Saturdays, many shops in the centre
of Copenhagen remain open until 5pm. Shops are normally not open
on Sundays, but the regulations warrant the shops a permit be
open on 4 individually placed Sundays. The tendency is to place
these Sunday-openings during the summer months of July or August
or during December.
Please note that ordinary shops are closed on June 5, December
24, and on holidays.
Emergencies & Medical Care
Illness and accidents are never welcome visitors on a holiday,
but it does happen! In Denmark help is always at hand and you
don't have to pay for medical treatment in a hospital if matters
should take a turn to the worse. See below what to do, if you
are unlucky
To contact the police, fire department, or hospital in an emergency,
dial 112. Emergency medical care is supplied by municipal authorities,
and hotel staff members can direct guests to local emergency centres,
hospitals, or dental clinics. Emergency treatment at Danish public
hospitals is free. Fees for non-emergency medical services are
usually payable in cash, and are reasonable by international standards.
If you take prescribed medication, you should bring a supply large
enough to last throughout the trip since some medicines available
in your home country may not be on the market in Denmark. Please
note that the supply must not exceed a quantity of 14 days' use
if you are travelling from a non-Schengen country, and 30 days
if you are travelling from a Schengen country. Documentation of
necessity of the remedy may be required upon entry. For more information,
contact Danish diplomatic representatives.
When to Go
Considering its northern latitude, Denmark has a fairly mild
climate all year round. Still, the winter months - cold and with
short daylight hours - are certainly the least hospitable. Correspondingly,
many tourist destinations come alive in late April, when the weather
begins to warm up and the daylight hours start to increase, and
by October they again become sleepers.
May and June can be delightful months to visit: the earth is a
rich green accented with fields of flowers, the weather is comfortable
and you'll beat the rush of tourists. While autumn can be pleasant,
it's not nearly as scenic because the rural landscape has largely
turned to brown.
High tourist season is July and August. There are open-air concerts,
lots of street activity and basking on the beach. Other bonuses
for travellers during midsummer are longer hours at museums and
other sightseeing attractions. The last half of August can be
a particularly attractive time to travel, as it still has summer
weather but far fewer crowds
Cities/Towns
• Arhus •
Copenhagen • Odense
Arhus, Denmark
Enjoy the warmest of welcomes in Arhus, Denmark’s second-largest
city and the cultural capital of Jutland. A lively university
city as well as an important trade centre and seaport, Arhus is
intimate enough to get to know in the space of a few hours, but
large enough to fill both days and nights with culture, intriguing
sites, fabulous food and the very best that Denmark has to offer
in terms of live entertainment.
Located a mere 15-minute cycle ride from sandy beaches and flower-laden
woods, Arhus is home to some quarter of a million citizens. Its
well-preserved historic centre promises good museums and absorbing
old churches, while the easily accessible outskirts offer a surprise
at every turn. A trip to Arhus would be incomplete without a visit
to Den Gamle By (The Old Town). This fascinating open-air museum
features 75 restored buildings from all around Denmark dating
from the 17th - and 18th centuries. Full of things to see and
do, it really is a must for any visitor. Enjoy a trip to the Arhus
Kunstmuseum, which presents a wide-ranging collection of Danish
art from the 19th and 20th centuries, or consider the controversial
design of the Arhus Radhus, Arhus’s town hall, completed
in 1942 and designed by Arne Jacobsen, the pioneer of Danish design.
Take a trip to the Tivoli Friheden, a fun-packed amusement park
located just outside the city centre offering rides, clown shows,
spectacular flower gardens and many caf?s in which to sit and
watch the crowds go by. Spend an engrossing hour or two at the
Forhistorisk Museum Moesgard, a museum presenting amazing prehistoric
artefacts, including the 2,000-year-old Graubelle Man, found preserved
in a nearby bog in 1952. Meet up at the Vadestedet, the newly
opened meeting place by the river Arhus and sample some international
and local cuisine at the many and varied restaurants and eateries
on offer.
Sample the best of live music at various cafe's or clubs tucked
away in intimate sidestreets or pay a visit to the Musikhuset
Arhus, a modern concert centre presenting performances ranging
from classical to jazz to world music. Amble through the university
grounds and drop into the two museums located on the premises
or simply soak up the atmosphere of busy student life. Lose yourself
in the narrow streets of Arhus, spend an hour or two window-shopping
and taking in the sights and sounds of this youthful and friendly
city. Take a break and cycle or hike to the nearby countryside.
Enjoy a drink at one of the many bars and cafe's and listen to
the banter of the locals. Breathe the sea air and feel the warmth
and friendliness of Arhus, the jewel of Jutland.
Copenhagen,
Denmark
• Copenhagen
Hotels
City of the Little Mermaid...
Home to the world’s largest pedestrian street and to the
world-famous statue of the Little Mermaid, the fairytale city
of Copenhagen is Scandinavia’s largest city and one of its
liveliest. Dotted with parks, gardens, water fountains and squares,
the city combines a charming laid-back feel with an exciting,
exuberant atmosphere.
Begin your exploration of the city at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek,
a museum owned by the famous brewery that features outstanding
classical art and fine Impressionist painting. Witness the pomp
and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Copenhagen’s
Amalienborg Palace - home of the Royal Family since 1794 - or
take a trip to the Helligandskirke, one of Copenhagen’s oldest
churches, which also features a summer caf? and regular art exhibitions.
Other museums and buildings of note include the Musical History
Museum, which houses an impressive array of musical instruments
dating back one thousand years, and the Nationalmuseet, whose
vast and eclectic collection takes the breath away. Don’t
miss the Tivoli Gardens, located in the heart of Copenhagen. This
century-old amusement park is one of Copenhagen’s most popular
attractions and with its thousands of flowers and dazzling bejewelled
lights, it is a real-life wonderland of rides, restaurants, and
entertainment for young and old alike. Sample the live classical
music at Tivoli Concert Hall or stumble across free outdoor performances
at one of the many city parks and squares. Lose yourself along
Stroget, the world’s longest pedestrian street, where you
can dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants and marvel at
the many street performers. Look out for the statue of Hans Christian
Anderson in Radhuspladsen, Copenhagen’s main square and then
stroll or take a ferry to admire the bronze statue of one of his
most famous fairytale creations, the charming Little Mermaid,
who has been guarding Copenhagen’s harbourside since 1913.
Rent one of Copenhagen’s free city bicycles and tour around
the cobbled streets and quays of this most accessible and cheerful
of cities, enjoy an afternoon picnic in one of its many parks
and squares and visit a museum before dining either in the summer
air or indoors at winter under the subtle glow of candlelight.
Sample the magic of Copenhagen, a fairytale city that allows you
explore at an enjoyable pace.
Odense,
Denmark
The pleasant city of Odense offers the visitor the best of both
worlds - a busy social hub and charming areas offering quiet areas
for rest and relaxation. The city dates to pre-Viking times and
is the third-largest city in Denmark, acting as a major commercial
and transport centre. Located on Funen - Denmark’s second-largest
island- Odense is named after Odin, the Norse god of war, poetry
and wisdom.
Without question, the proudest boast of this affable city is that
it is the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous storytellers,
Hans Christian Andersen. Odense features many attractions related
to Andersen, including the Hans Christian Andersen Hus, the main
museum dedicated to the writer. Located in a pleasant neighbourhood
of cobbled streets and featuring a park with a delightful pond,
this museum presents a mesmerising array of memorabilia. Other
Andersen attractions in Odense are the Hans Christian Andersen
Barndomshjem, the writer’s childhood home, and Hans Christian
Andersen Haven, a charming riverside park. Pay a visit to the
intriguing Sankt Knuds Kirke, the only example of true Gothic
architecture in Denmark. Built in the 12th century, this cathedral
features a glass case containing the 900-year-old skeletons of
King Canute II and his brother Benedikt. Other areas of note include
the Carl Nielsen Museet, a museum dedicated to the life and work
of Denmark’s most famous composer, and the Fyns Kunstmuseum,
an art gallery of some repute containing a fine collection of
Danish art. Experience the life of yesteryear at the Funen Village,
an open-air museum comprising a reconstructed 19th-century village,
or marvel at the fantastic chimpanzee enclosure at Odense Zoo.
Enjoy a bracing walk at Odense’s top-quality golf course
or take a guided tour of the city and experience its development
from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The attraction of Odense lies in its relatively small size, meaning
it can easily be sampled within a day or two. Experience a bike
ride along the converted rail tracks of Odense that criss-cross
the city or ride at your leisure along the canals. Buy a schnitzel
from one of the many bakeries or caf?s and enjoy the free summertime
concerts at the open-air amphitheatre at Brandts Kloedefabrik.
Stroll down the narrow streets with their half-timbered houses,
stopping off to browse in the antique shops scattered around or
simply sit and watch life go by in engaging and intimate Odense.
Public Holidays
2003
New Year's Day: 1 January
Maundy Thursday: 17 April
Good Friday: 18 April
Easter Sunday: 20 April
Easter Monday: 21 April
Common Prayer Day: 16 May
Ascension Day: 29 May
Whit Sunday: 8 June
Whit Monday: 9 June
Constitution Day: 5 June
Christmas Eve: 24 December
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December
New Year's Eve: 31 December |
