Top 10 Experiences in Denmark

For me it's what you experience while visiting a place that makes travel so exciting, and sometimes more so than the actual sites themselves.  Here are my top 10 experiences while in Denmark for the TBEX Conference.

 #1.  All the Statues in Odense from Hans Christian Andersen Stories
It's fun to try and figure out which story they're from, plus it keeps Hans Christian Andersen's stories alive!  Any idea which story the photo above is from?  I confess that I had to ask my guide.

 

#2.   Unique Environmental Initiatives in Denmark

From my short time in Denmark, it appeared to me that the Danish think outside the box.  Above is a carbon-neutral skating rink in Odense.  Denmark is also home to the world's only carbon neutral beer, Global Ale, by Nørrebro Bryghus and the world's greenest hotel, Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers to name but a few of the unique environmental initiatives currently found in Denmark. 

#3.  The Copenhagen Cocktail
Another example of innovative Danish thinking, a cocktail named after the capital.  It's tasty, but potent with: 
5 cl. Bols Genever, 2 cl. Cherry Heering Liqueur, 2 cl. fresh pressed lime juice, 2 cl. sugar syrup (Monin)
1 dash Angostura Bitters.  Find out more about The Copenhagen Cocktail and where you can order it.

#4  Bike Rush Hour in Copenhagen
Biking in Copenhagen rush hour was so much fun but not for the faint of heart with almost 40% of the city commuting by bike!  The Danes are in good shape and kept whizzing by us.  It didn't help that we didn't know the right hand signals either.  Fortunately, we all remained unscathed.  For more info see:  5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark.

 

#5.  Meeting Locals
Meeting locals is always one of my favorite things about traveling and I found the Danes exceptionally friendly.  At a kebab shop I was struggling to find the right coins and explained to the cashier that I had only been in Denmark a couple of hours and hadn't figured out the money yet.  He took a few minutes to show me all the different coins and the value of each one.  Talk about making a good first impression for Denmark!  We also had the unique opportunity for a Q&A with circus performers at the TBEX Conference!  I've always wondered how circus performers become circus performers so it was great to hear the stories of two performers, both who gave an impromto performance, as seen above.   I also had the opportunity to meet many local entrepreneurs who were passionate about their businesses and their country.  I don't know the stats on entrepreneurship in Denmark, but it appears to be a very entrepreneurial country.

 

#6.  Walking Around the Lakes in Copenhagen

I confess, the lakes in Copenhagen look more like rivers to me, but regardless they're beautiful and a popular place to go for a run, or if you're feeling less energetic to do some bird watching - I couldn't believe all the swans!  I spent several hours just wandering around taking in the ambiance.

 

#7.  J Day in Denmark

J-Day in Denmark marks the first day that Christmas beer is available for sale and its celebration rivals that of New Years Eve.  I had so much fun walking the streets and looking for free beer being handed out by guys in blue Santa Clause suits (see above photo) and was lucky enough to score a light-up blue Santa Clause hat, which now sits on my desk as a reminder of this unique Danish celebration.

#8 The Tinderbox in Odense

I may have mentioned once or twice in previous posts how much I love, love The Tinderbox!  It's a place where children choose from a variety of costumes, based on Hans Christian Andersen's stories and then bring them to life on life-size sets.  It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen for kids!

#9 Train Ride from Copenhagen to Odense

I always think the landscape is the most interesting part of any country and while I'd heard that Denmark is flat, I didn't realize how flat - the highest elevation is 173m!  Nonetheless, I enjoyed seeing a bit of the country side.

#10  Travel Writers and Travel Bloggers I Met at TBEX

A special shout out to my Narrative Travel Blogging Workshop Leaders, Lola Akinmade and Andrew Evans who I learned so much from.  I am grateful to have had the opportunity for them to critique my work thinking "like a mean editor"   I met so many other wonderful travel bloggers and really wherever you go, isn't it really all about the people you meet?

You may also be interested in:

 Top 10 Things to Experience in Odense Denmark
The Tinderbox, Where Children's Dreams Come to Life in Denmark

5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

The Tinderbox, Where Children's Dreams Come to Life in Denmark

As I open the door to The Tinderbox, I find myself finding in a new world, with my years magically disappearing.  I am a child again!  Magic is everywhere, cows sword fight with princesses and kings engage in a game of chase across a swinging bridge.  This is The Tinderbox, a children's cultural center beside the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense Denmark where children bring their own stories to life.

 

It all starts here, in the dressing room of The Tinderbox, the dressing room of all dressing rooms.  Many of the costumes found in The Tinderbox are those from characters in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales and many I don't recognize, perhaps from fairy tales long forgotten, or never read.  Hans Christian Anderson wrote over 120 fairy tales, among those:  The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, and the Snow Queen, to name a few of his more popular works.

 

A knight puts on his finishing touches before engaging in a sword fight with a swan or perhaps a nice cup of tea with a pea pod.  Anything is possible at The Tinderbox, including inadvertently getting in the middle of sword fights or games of chase as I discovered.  Fortunately I was unscathed.

Even Hans Christian Andersen himself takes on a new persona at The Tinderbox with exaggerated features, namely his height and large nose for which he was often described as odd looking. 

 

The Tinderbox has life size sets in which children can bring their own stories to life.  Here some princesses are enjoying a nice cup of tea, resting, before they engage in a rowdy game of chase with two cows almost knocking us over!

The Tinderbox also has a stage where families can enjoy an interactive play.  Unfortunately we missed it, but I have no doubt it would be in the keeping of the creative spirit of The Tinderbox.

Another part of the life size set, although I couldn't figure out what the building was on the right.  Any ideas?  I also loved the hanging clouds.               

 

As we made our way to the second level of The Tinderbox we were treated to an impromptu puppet show.  Unfortunately, it was in Danish so I didn't understand the play, but still enthusiastically clapped when it was finished.

The Tinderbox also has a wood carving room.  It is from an old Danish story that is famous among Danish children.  I had never heard of it before, but observed a boy intently whittling a piece of wood.  This was one of the quieter rooms in The Tinderbox, but provided another creative outlet.

 

The Tinderbox also has a large art studio which seemed especially popular with older children.  Our guides said that families often spend hours at The Tinderbox.  Fortunately there is also a restaurant and cafe.

 

Just a few of the creations that came out of the art studio at The Tinderbox.

All to soon, it is time to leave The Tinderbox and I quickly return to my 30-something self again, but The Tinderbox has sparked something in me.  On the plane ride home, I read four Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, something I haven't done in a long time.  I am, for a short time, brought back to my childhood self again.  I think Hans Christian Andersen would approve.

For more information on The Tinderbox see:

The Tinderbox Homepage

For more information on Visiting Denmark see:

 Top 10 Things to Experience in Odense Denmark

My Top 10 Experiences of Denmark

5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

Please note this tour was complimentary of the Odense Turist Bureau as part of the TBEX Conference

Cycling in Denmark

One of the first things I noticed upon arriving in Copenhagen is that bikes appeared to outnumber cars.  Cycling in Denmark just became something I had to do.  I didn't have to wait long, as cycling in Denmark was on the agenda for the Sustainability Tour I was already signed up for.  We hopped on our bikes and cycled to BioM, an organic restaurant in Copenhagen. 

Proof that I survived my first cycling in Copenhagen rush hour experience

After a few tasty organic appetizers, our real adventure began according to our Danish guide -”cycling in Copenhagen rush hour."  It quickly became apparent that the Danes are in good shape as they effortlessly whizzed past us on their bikes.  At a stop light, it wasn't uncommon for there to be 30 bikes!  After the cycling in Denmark part of the tour was over, we each insisted on getting a photo with our bike - proving we had just survived cycling in Copenhagen rush hour.  I couldn't wipe the grin off my face!

Cycling along the river in picturesque Odense Denmark

 Unknown to me at the time, my cycling in Denmark days were not over.  A few days later we set out on a tour of Odense, home to Hans Christian Anderson.  There our first stop was to pick up bikes.  I was so thrilled to have another opportunity for cycling in Denmark and especially in this picturesque city.  It was a Sunday and our guides took us on a bike path by the tree lined river where we stopped and enjoyed a picnic lunch.  Cycling in Odense had a much slower and more relaxed pace than bustling Copenhagen.  It was the complete opposite experience of cycling in Copenhagen rush hour, but just as enjoyable, if not more so.

While cycling in Denmark I just felt good.  Perhaps it was the exercise, the fresh air, doing something local, or knowing you are doing something good for the planet.  Who knows, but I wouldn't be surprised if all the cycling the Danes do contributed in part to why Denmark is consistently rated as one of the happiest nations on earth.

Note:   the "Sustainable Copenhagen Tour" and "Hans Christian Anderson Tour" were courtesy of Wonderful Copenhagen.  

You may also be interested in:
 My Top Ten Experiences in Denmark
Top 10 Things to Experience in Odense Denmark
The Tinderbox, Where Children's Dreams Come to Life in Denmark

5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

Christmas comes early to Denmark every year.  It arrives in Denmark the first Friday in November at 20:59, in the form of “J Day”, which comes from the Danish word for Christmas beer.  This is Santa as you’ve never seen him before.  Instead of a big ol jolly guy wearing a red suit, “Santa” in Denmark is dressed not only in blue, but in a considerable more risqué blue suit, usually taking the form of blue lingerie topped with a bobbing blue light up Santa cap for the girls and blue boxers for the guys and instead of handing out the infamous blue brew Tubourg, known as the Christmas beer.  

 What’s so special about the Christmas beer?  Well according to Copenhagen local, Lars, who  was getting an early start on J Day, it has more alcohol, than regular beer but he wasn’t sure how much more.  The bar tender checked for me and it turns out J Day beer has 5.6% alcohol,  1% higher than regular beer. Despite the higher alcohol content Lars admitted he wasn't a fan of the taste of J Day beer, although that didn't stop him from celebrating J Day.

J Day beer is also brewed with a unique blend of ingredients, as we were informed by a local brew master,   J Day beer “... is made with all the same ingredients as pumpkin pie – cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and of course cloves.”  Now, I'm allergic to beer, but my curiosity was so piqued, that I couldn't resist taking a small sip and yes it did indeed remind me of pumpkin pie.  Fortunately for me, I don't like pumpkin pie.

One of the many J Day beer trucks handing out free beer, but no skimpy clothing, likely because it was rather cold out.

 But what really makes J Day so special are all the celebrations and on occasion, free beer.  J Day is a huge celebration rivaling that of New Year’s Eve and celebrated all over Denmark.   As we strolled through Strøget, the oldest pedestrian street in Europe, everyone was in a festive mood singing Christmas carols in both Danish and English and trying to score one of the blue light up Santa Hats, which we searched out  thanks to a local who showed us where they were handing them out.

The streets are crowded on J Day and this guy was lucky enough to find a celebration J Day hat!

But the real highlight of J Day for me?  Being mistaken for a local as a tourist came up to me and said “Why is everyone wearing blue hats?”

You may also be interested in:
 My Top Ten Experiences in Denmark

Top 10 Things to Experience in Odense Denmark
The Tinderbox, Where Children's Dreams Come to Life in Denmark

5 Things You Should Know Before Cycling in Denmark

J Day in Denmark

Cycling in Denmark

Visiting Denmark

One of the great things about being an expat in Germany is the proximity to so many other countries.  Last week, I headed to Denmark, for the Travel Blog Exchange Conference.  Coming soon are posts related to visiting Denmark, a wonderful country!

Visiting Denmark photo above of Brian Mikkelsen, Minister of Economics welcoming us to Copenhagen.