Copenhagen, Denmark

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
Who: Mr & Mrs Wanderlust & the whole fam
When: September 2019
​What: EU TRIP with the whole Fam

How lucky are with and how the universe is kind to us that it gave us another chance to step foot in Europe for the second time in a span of few months! As we were just in EU last April now the whole fam decided to go around a couple of its popular cities, but we start first in Copenhagen Denmark as it is the country that initially invited the family which actually came from an outgoing ambassador who liked the collection of my father in law in his museum (www.artiste.com.ph) - shameless plug as I also designed its website!

We plan Copenhagen - Hamburg - Amsterdam - Brugges - Paris for 2~ish weeks.

How To Get There:

Note: a Filipino (PH) Passport is required to secure a Schengen (EU) Visa to be able to travel to Denmark, as well as its nearby countries in the EU Continent.

Booking a flight from our hometown in MNL going to CPH with a stopover in the middle east (Doha,Qatar) in our case as we bought from Qatar Airways for a total of 16ish to 19hour flight (kinda forgot)

Getting Around: 
Going around the city is actually really easy as it is a walkable and bike friendly city. We even tried out an app to rent e-scooter (Li.Me) which was really useful and fun way to get from point A to point B half the time of walking.

Some can use taxi but they may get expensive in the long run especially if you can walk/bike

*Disclaimer: Kid for picture purposes only, as kids her age/height are not allowed only adults are allowedto use and are bound to the rules of the city and app policies.

Where To Stay:

Copenhagen Marriott
We tried booking here as one of us was a Club Member for the hotel chain, but to our dis

+ Lobby was big
+ The hotel was a stop for Hop On Hop Off Bus which is convenient
+ Rooms were big spacious and has a nice view of the city
+ Windows were huge and a small part can be opened which allows fresh air inside.
+ Executive lounge was pleasant, always with snacks/food and drinks available which is a ++
​+ Rooms were also kid friendly
+ Large playground outside the boardwalk

- Location was a bit out of the city center but easy transport so no issues
- Not so friendly even for its club members with many rooms unable to give at least 1 room for family with kids an early checkin to freshen up after a long haul flight.
- Rooms were dusty and causes sneezing fits for my daughter and wife's allergies
- Felt like the carpets and room was a bit old

What To Do:

1. Go around the town center

Right after our long flight and checking in the hotel we immediately took a walk around the city with the help of a local guide we got from a booking app.

2. ​Arts & Museums

Of course we were together with some cultured companion of ours and museums are definitely going to be part of our itinerary. That being said, many galleries of different categories that will give you more knowledge about the country's history, culture and so much more.

3. Try their foods

Eating their street foods (esp when we get hungry from walking around the streets) is also our own way of getting in touch with the country's food culture, that doesnt limit us in trying any Danish restaurant that we would see in the corner street, as well as the ones recommended by many people online, we got to try Smørrebrød or an open faced sandwich, their hotdogs and their beers, and the world famous Carlsberg is actually Danish, and we actually didn't know til we were told by one of our guides. 

4. See Nyhavn and the ride a boat on nearby canals

 a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district, definitely a place to have a beer, dinner or anything to sit down and enjoy the harbour view and its people. Another way to get the most out of the place is to ride a boat to see different spots and stops in different parts of the district..

5. Experience a Different Hip Vibe at Freetown Christiana

Christiania also known as Freetown, as it claims it is more like the "Greenlight district" part of the town. If you still don't quite get what we are saying,it is the place where cannabis is freely sold and used, smoked around the place. Well, it is really best known for that, but of course its local residents claim that they are much more than that. Tried checking out the place (without the kids and ladies just the boys on the first day just to scout the area to see if it is safe, or sketchy) turns out it truly is much more than a place to buy cannabis.

Christiania has much more street culture and great vibe / atmosphere for almost anyone trying to look for an 'alternative' tour, or basically an off the beaten path but not really kind of place. It has so many areas, some parts are souvenir, paraphernalia stores, food and drinks, then there is an area in "Pusher Street" where cameras are not allowed because technically it is still illegal in Denmark, but widely tolerated by the police. Then many other different areas with different genre of music from jazz, rock, reggae, dancehall, edm on many different areas, really something for everyone, alcohol is also freely served and you can buy and lots of place to hangout, really recommended place. They have just rules to follow such as no running as it causes panic, no photos, and you're pretty much good.

6. Buy from a Lego Store in its home country

Made in Denmark is what it says in the box, and now that we are in Copenhagen, our little miss wanderlust hurriedly looked for a store in the city. She really wanted to go to Billund where is its headquarters are located, but its also a couple of hours away from the city and with all the time constraints we have, we were unable to visit the Lego House HQ, so this is the next best thing.

Found us some exclusive Denmark lego sets like Hans Christiansen mini set.

6. Spend a day in Sweden

Actually if you can spend more than a day to explore Sweden and neighboring countries like Norway and Finland we would have, however since the whole family wants the European tour 'starter pack', we are heading on a different direction, So we just dedicated a whole day to at least visit Sweden via train from Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden (as its capital city Stockholm is 6hr train)

7. Shop at the famous fast retail store's home country

One of the biggest fast retail shops in the world is headquartered at Sweden, and what a better way to shop for some of their products in the company's main country

Thank you for reading, We have enjoyed Copenhagen had to offer, now off to our next city, So catch our next blog about Hamburg.

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