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Copenhagen is an elegant mixture of ancient castles and palaces along with eco-friendly modern architecture, advanced waterways and open spaces. Danes refer to their country as the Green State and lead the world in green growth economy. Their goal is to be independent of fossil fuels by 2050.
Danes top the list as the “happiest” people in the world. Like their Nordic friends, they have a universal welfare system, offering free healthcare and free education. Employers have total freedom to lay off workers but there is a generous system to assist the unemployed. I believe the key as to why the Dane Model works is twofold: a small population (5.5 million) and absolutely no corruption. Freedom is at their core and they respect and accept cultural differences and ideas.
Copenhagen is a city that successfully combines the old and new while welcoming the future. Head of State is the Monarchy, with Queen Margrethe II . She is married to Prince Frederik and they are role models, representing a modern Danish family. Queen Margrethe II is especially loved for she is down to earth and can relate to the people.
For touring purposes, I would suggest you purchase a Copenhagen Card. This will allow you to visit for free the museums (75) and free public transportation throughout the city. I generally recommend on the first day the hop on and hop off bus tours. This will give you an oversight of the whole city and later you can plan to visit your favorite spots.
If you have a few days, be sure to do a harbor tour, taking in the magnificent architecture. During the summer you may see people swimming in the harbor for the Danes take pride that their waterways are pollution free! Denmark is a bike city offering bike tours and you can easily rent your own bike for the day.
A favorite stop for boomers, is the community of Christiania, the famous freetown of Copenhagen. Founded in 1971, a group of hippies took over an old military barracks area. City officials, having no interest in the land at that time, decided to allow them to stay and considered it a “social experiment.” Christiania declared itself autonomous from the state, and even made their own currency, though the Danish kroner was accepted. A sign proclaiming “you have now left the EU” greets visitors as they enter their community.
Christiana continued to flourish and is a popular tourist destination but just this last March the Danish Supreme Court upheld a lower 2009 Court Ruling that this hippie enclave has no legal right to the land they have occupied all these years. So there will be trouble in “river city” as we all watch the unraveling of this “social experiment.”
I was amazed to see how artfully they cleaned up these dilapidated structures. The shacks are painted bright colors with small grass areas with flowers blooming everywhere. It soon became an area – Pusher Street – where you could buy hash and pot – but no hard drugs. It truly is a nostalgic destination for all of us boomers!
There are many museums to visit, my favorite is Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum founded in 1888 by brewer Carl Jacobsen, one of the top art galleries containing two main departments of ancient and modern art.
Tivoli Gardens is the famous amusement park open not just for summer play! My family celebrated a Christmas Holiday there and there were so many beautiful booths selling handmade Danish ornaments plus lots of organic food to enjoy!
I saved my favorite sculpture for last - The Little Mermaid, based on the fairy tale by Danish author and poet, Hans Christian Anderson. The story goes about a young mermaid who fell in love with a prince who lived on land and her meeting a witch who granted her wish to grow legs, so that she would be able to be with her prince, whom she never married. The sculpture depicts her sitting on land as she gazes out to sea, reminiscing over her childhood and lost life in the sea as a mermaid.
For music lovers and those of us who attended Woodstock so many years ago, I would encourage you to attend the annual Roskilde Festival which is generally held in June through early July each year! It is the largest musical festival in Northern Europe! Why not step back in time and enjoy the fanfare which promises something for everyone!
Happy Travels!
July 4, 2023
