There is one safe bet you can make – there is no other nation on earth where Nisser are as popular as in Denmark. And they have a secret life, that most Dane are not aware of. During the Christmas season, Danish shops, schools and homes are teeming with Nisser. They are crawling all over shopping bags, wrapping paper, teacups, ties and anywhere else with room for a picture of a Nisse. American culture has had a certain impact on…
I’ve always had the perspective of a globetrotter, feeling that Denmark is too small for me as all I want is to experience true unspoilt nature. After a good 5 years abroad, I’ve returned to Denmark. But now what? I’m used to being in close contact with nature and being outside, more specifically in the mountains. So exploring Denmark’s nature was a perfect activity for me – but what in the world does Denmark have to offer with no mountains?…
Try kneeling where Ulf was murdered: Maybe you’ll get a chill sent down your spine when you hear Ulf’s ghost whispering his alleged last words; ”Pray for my soul. Pray for my soul.” This mood will follow you in this unique piece of Unesco World Hritage as a guide leads you along the tombs of forty kings and queens of Denmark from the last thousand years.
Beer, bicycles and burials. What is missing in this description of old school Copenhagen? Food, of course. In other countries, smørrebrød is sometimes called an open sandwich. No Dane in his right mind would assent to this madness. Don’t argue with us. Eat it and enjoy. Velbekomme.
For all it’s attractions Copenhagen has never been able to match the great historic metropolises, such as Rome, Paris or London. When Denmark finally emerges in the annals of history, it is not for the splendor of it’s towns and royal palaces, instead the viking longboats are the reason Danes are talked about in the early middle ages.
The straw doll is a reenactment of something they didn’t take quite seriously 100 years ago. And today, burning the straw witch has become part of the traditional danish hygge. The ironic link to the superstitious tradition of yore is implied and mostly forgotten.
Denmark has consistenly been rated as one of the happiest, safest and most honest, one of the cleanest, friendliest and most stable countries worldwide. Maybe only the Dutch are better than the Danes at speaking English and using bikes for transportation. Are we overstating the delights? No, not really. A lot of the great tourist attractions are concentrated in and around our capital Copenhagen. But there is so much more to discover. “How come?” you may ask, and depending on…
The life in Brandts Klædefabrik, the Brandts Woolen Mill in Odense has been turned upside down as to what it once were and for what it was built. Today you have Studenderhuset, the students’ hall, a cinema, museums, loads of cafés and restaurants, boutiques selling clothes, art, crafts, flowers and hairdressers. And life never stops in Brandt’s. On each visit you can find new options or new interesting boutiques. Brandt’s is never a dull place to explore – on the…
In the Vejle River Valley you will find wonderful nature as well as interesting sights. The church in Skibet is well worth a pilgrimage for anyone interested in Danish cultural history, whether it is a year long interest or a newly found one. Likewise if you believe that holidays should provide nourishment for our spiritual selves. Both requests are met in the perfect cohesion at Skibet Kirke, Skibet Church. The church contains important frescoes dating back to the 13th century,…
By tradition Danish kings have the names Christian or Frederik. Fredericia is named after one of the Frederiks but which one? Fredericia is a relatively newly founded town by Danish standards and only about 350 years old. Fredericia was built on the small peninsula Bersodde in the years following 1649. In 1650 king Frederik III signed a document on December the 16th, granting Fredericia market town privileges, which in Danish is called købstadsprivilegier. To help stimulate the growth of the…