We’ve traveled a lot since we retired but my husband has now decided he’d rather stay home (it’s the plane flight!) - but I’m not (and likely will never be) tired of travel. When I was working, I did a lot of solo travel but it’s been a while and now I’m 74 with mobility issues (knees!). (I did one group trip and found that group travel was not for me). An early spring (April) trip to Copenhagen and Stockholm seemed like a perfect experiment.
Copenhagen
Day 1 Overnight flight from Dulles, on SAS premium economy. No, I didn’t sleep but found SAS to be very comfortable - lots of leg room and quite good food. I’d absolutely do it again. Arrived in Copenhagen around 10 am, ushered quickly through passport control and outside by 10:30. I know that Rick recommends the train but I found that a taxi worked for me - quick and easy with luggage - and, since I was tired, I didn’t have to do anything but give the name of my hotel and we were there in 30 minutes (it would have taken me that long to find the train station - well worth it to me (about $45).
Stayed at the Hotel Admiral, right on the waterfront. Delighted that my room (a standard waterfront - fine for one but I would get a larger room if there were two of us) was ready and, after a quick shower, walked to the Amalienborg Palace, just in time for the changing of the guard. Really enjoyed the Palace, which gave me a bit of historical background.
On to Nyhavn (a short walk away) for the boat cruise. There are two departure places and I went to the wrong one but, fortunately, there took pity on me and let me board (I was surely looking frazzled and tired by now but I wanted to stay up for the day), It was getting cold, which was good - it kept me up! The guide was very informative, sharing bits of history and cultural tidbits - thoroughly enjoyable. After a quick fish sandwich and glass off wine, I headed back too the hotel for a well-earned rest.
Day 2 Another day, another palace. On the way, I stopped at the Medical Museum - very interesting section on how they dealt with covid, history not medicine ion Denmark and ‘the gut’ thoughI found the specimens a bit too much for me, Lunch at the Orangerie, adjacent to the Kings Garden- lobster salad - true gluttony but I am on vacation. Next, Rosenborg Palace - amazing history, gorgeous gardens (roses just starting to bud) and crown jewels - what more could I ask for? No problem with waiting, I walked right in. The audio guide was helpful for background and descriptions and I enjoyed the anecdotes.
Day 3 Bus 26 is a brief walk from the hotel and takes me everywhere I want to go - yes, another palace- Christianborg, where I spent most of the day. So much to see - the reception rooms (with a free guided tour), the ruins, the kitchens, the stables, the theater. Almost skipped the ruins but they were actually quite interesting, with tales of witchcraft and stories of days gone by. Smorrebord lunch in old town which I enjoyed. Then, a walk down the canal to the Danish Architecture Center - traces the evolution of design, from the formal to the focus on the individual and the importance of sustainability,, nice cafe, audio guide - very interesting, worth an hour or so., Across the street - the War Museum. I love museums and history but I would skip this in future - huge building, no elevator, focused (understandably) on Danish history with few exhibits we would be familiar with. Excellent dinner of cod and shrimp and a glass of Sancerre at Zeleste, near the hotel. continued on next post