Mini Travel Guides

Helsingør (or if we are going to be a bit Shakespearian, Elsinore), Denmark is home to the castle setting of Hamlet – Kronborg.

Despite the Shakespearian claim to fame, there is very little tourist gimmicks referencing Hamlet.  Considering the long history of the castle, the fact that it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the well preserved artwork, furniture, and architecture, Hamlet can fall by the wayside.

Just across the water from Helsingborg, Sweden and Kärnan, Kronborg castle draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  And with good reason.  The Renaissance castle is incredible and gives you access to several different areas, including the chapel, the bedrooms, a shipping museum, and even the roof.

Because of the different choices available, there are a myriad of ticket options.  To be perfectly honest, if you are short on time, skip the Maritime Museum.  Unless you’re a big maritime historian, the museum just gets to be a bit too detailed.  The Royal Apartments, the chapel, the rooftop, everything else is well worth a visit.

While wandering around one of the bedrooms, I was suckered into a guided tour.  And by suckered, I mean the tour guide was so very charming I couldn’t say no.  Plus it was free.  So I stuck around and listened and learned quite a bit.  Unfortunately, the tour was incredibly long.  While I enjoy educational and engaging tours, I was getting hungry and had not eaten lunch.  If you do plan on taking one of the free English language tours, be sure to plan ahead and grab a delicious Danish hot dog beforehand.

Click here to find the best deals on Helsingor hotels with the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Shakespeare in Denmark – Kronborg Castle, Helsingor

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Many people may wonder if my geography is correct when I speak of Europe and the World Cup. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about “Getting ready for the World Cup through European travel” and with the World Cup kicking off  this Friday June 11 in South Africa, one of its biggest, most passionate audiences will be in Europe. France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Serbia, England, Slovenia, Denmark, Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Greece all take their shot at winning the World Cup.

The World Cup in South Africa - Europe's biggest destination? (Photo by Clare Appleyard)

For the casual fan or for someone who is not interested in football at all, one may wonder how this relates to seeing more of Europe. The answer to that question?  The people of Europe.  Anyone who travels to these European countries will see a side of Europe that only appears once every four years. Of all the football fans in the world, only South Americans can compete with Europeans in their passion for football.

The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet. And for many countries in Europe, football is either the biggest or second biggest sport in the country. For the next 5 weeks, businesses may close, bars and pubs will be full, jerseys will be worn, and fans will celebrate with passion or express their disappointment in defeat. The World Cup matters and any visit to these countries will be a visit like no other.

While many people travel to see Europe’s museums, beaches, mountains, historical sights, and landmarks, the true beauty of this continent is found in its people. Go beyond the places and meet the faces that make up the rich culture and heritage of any European country. This will be on full display during the World Cup.

Do Germans drink beers and celebrate with restrained enthusiasm? Do Italians scream and yell wildly, throw huge parties, and close down the streets in celebration? What about in Portugal, France, Spain, or Serbia?  Observing how people engage in this event and how they react in victory and defeat can give you a lot of insight into each country’s culture.

Talk to people on the streets. Ask the security guard at a museum what he plans to do for the World Cup. Strike up a conversation in a pub or bar. It’s an easy conversation starter so you can get to know people. In both small towns and big cities, even in countries that didn’t qualify for the World Cup, people will be watching.

One of the biggest, most anticipated match ups in the opening round is England versus the United States.  Both sides of the Atlantic are excited about this one (while England may be a bit more interested and even a little more nervous).  In war and in peace, the English and Americans have long been allies and rivalries between the two are friendly.  However, this may be the biggest match up between these two countries since 1950.

The World Cup – what does it mean to you?  Will you be watching?  As an American, football (i.e. soccer to us) is not a big sport here.  Many people here hate the sport and even many sports fans will be nothing more than casual observers as they root for the USA.  However, if (and probably, when) the USA bows out, many TVs will be turned off.

As an American who is passionate about football, it is my hope that this catches the attention of many here in the US.  For Europeans, this event is as big as it gets.  And for anyone traveling around Europe the next five weeks, it will be a wonderful opportunity to engage the wonderful cultures of Europe during the biggest sporting event in so a the world.

“Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen, salty old queen of the sea….”  This colorful city offers lots to see and do.  Read more about Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s  Hotel Fox is a World Travel Awards nominee. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry, so being nominated is quite an honor.

The story behind Hotel Fox is that it was once an aging hotel that Volkswagen decided to spruce up by hiring 21 artists, graphic designers, street artists, illustrators and the like to decorate the hotel’s 61 rooms. Each artist was given license to create whatever they wanted in their own personal style. Which means every room in the hotel is distinctly different. Artsy hotels abound in most metropolitan cities across the globe, but Hotel Fox remains one of the warmest creative spins on modern hotel living, and it is located right in the heart of Copenhagen, near the Stroget shopping area.

One of the rooms named”sleep seasons” (#121) was created by an Australian designer. This room consists of a big comfy tent, surrounded by adorable woodland forest creatures, looks like a fort from “where the wild things are”. This room is considered one of their medium priced rooms and runs about  $138 per night.

You can  rent an iPod from the hotel or a bicycle and check this out….your bicycle charges your cell phone while you ride it! The hotel offers free breakfast (organic choices) and the hotel bar, which is actually the hotel lobby,  transforms itself  into a bar Thursday through Saturday with a DJ and signature cocktails.

Hotel Fox has received the Green Key certificate for sustainable development and the hotel is also listed as CO2 neutral. The hotel observes Earth day by turning its lights out between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, illuminating the lobby  with candles. The hotel usually features some type of Eco friendly art each month, such as the Solar Peace Sculpture and the Climate Quilt.

The Fox hotel has a package called “tour de fox “ where you can stay in 3 different rooms in 3 days time. You decide which ones you want to try out.  Since most of us would wonder …Is my room the best one?  Although my question is: can I actually sleep in this room?  Some of the rooms are “Loud” in décor and some have strange sized beds, so make sure you see the picture before you choose.  Crazy like a fox comes to mind when seeing some of these wildly decorated rooms.

The hotel fosters the growth of a  new generation of cooks, hotel managers and artists. There is a movie on their website about the Fox project. The Hotel Fox website promises, “You will find flowers, fairytales, friendly monsters, dreaming creatures, secrets and vaults… something for everyone at the Hotel Fox.”

Written By Carla Scott exclusively for EuropeUpClose.com

When most tourists think of Denmark they tend to consider destinations such as the country’s stunning capital Copenhagen.  One of Denmark’s hidden gems is the island of Bornholm, which due to its  remoteness has developed only very slowly in the post-war years. But recently tourism in this off the beaten track European destination has been a major boost for the almost 50,000 islanders.

by bjarke svendsen

Borholm lies around 100 miles south east of Copenhagen.  The capital is the port of Ronne.   The beautiful beaches are big Bornholm attractions, although obviously this depends very much on the weather in this northern European country.  The white Caribbean-like sand and clear waters of the Baltic Sea and the vast beach of Dueodde offer the very best Baltic Sea beaches.

by bjarke svendsen

Golf, horse riding, cycling, angling and other sporting activities are very popular, as well as art and cultural tourism.  The 2010 Dance Festival runs from 21 – 24 May with more than 350 folk dancers from Norway and Sweden performing.  Other Bornholm attractions include the picturesque old towns and ports, the famous round churches, windmills and the ruins at Hammershus, reputed to be the oldest castle in Northern Europe.  Hammerhus is the location of the Wonderfestiwal music event,  2 – 4 September 2010.

Hammerhus by BestofDanSliver

Families will enjoy the The Medieval Centre which explores life between through 1300 – 1450  through games and other interactive activities.  Joboland amusement park offers an outdoor water park, fairground rides, rowing boats and a zoo.  The Sommerfuglepark Nature Park is open from April 30 – October 24 2010 every day between 10am to 5pm.

Butterfly at Sommerfuglepark by @boetter

So if you’re looking for somewhere a bit different when Europe travel planning, Denmark’s Borholm island could be perfect for you.  You can find the best deals at hotels in Ronne, the island’s capital, with the HotelsCombined  metasearch.

In Copenhagen, close to Kongens Nytorv, is the amazing flower shop and atelier of the flower artist, the magician, Tage Andersen. Already out on the street, in Ny Adelgade, you see that this is not an ordinary flower shop.  Depending on the season, you find huge pots of flowers, shrubs and trees. This week, while spending a day in Copenhagen, I was charmed by the bright fruit of the the orange trees and the plaided clay pots

You have to pay a small fee to walk down the few steps to the basement where you start your tour through Tage’s flower paradise. It is worth every Danish krone, I could gladly pay it every day to be able to spend an hour inside, first down in the basement, then crawling up the narrow stairs to the small landing, out to the small built-in backyard. Be careful when you are there, the peacock doesn’t like one of your toes on his long, colourful  feathers.

Since I am not in Copenhagen every day and don’t spend Danish krones on the fee too often, I treat myself to a gift from Tage Andersen’s shop every time I go there. A book, a candle holder, a small vase to hold a rose……..and every single time I bring with me home the magic atmosphere of a small corner of God’s world, of a flower heaven.

So when you’re next in Copenhagen take my Europe travel tip and pop into TageAndersen’s.

In this guest post the Denmark.net Denmark Guide gives five ideas on places where you can experience a Danish style Christmas.

Christmas at Tivoli Gardens

If you are planning to visit Denmark this Christmas, the festivities provide a great flair to the dark and long evenings in the Northern hemisphere. Prefer hot wine at one of the Christmas markets or partying in Copenhagen?

5. Fantasy World in Holme-Olstrup

The Fantasy World makes the Christmas season in this quaint little town on Zealand just as festive as in Tivoli and Horsens. A Christmas market carrying the theme “Christmas in the Wild West” with lots of small stalls is in place providing great shopping opportunities to visitors.  There are also fun fair rides, attractions such as the Bugs Bunny show and puppet show featuring Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, a cowboy city, horse drawn carriages and restaurants.

The Fantasy World also  features an adventure hall focusing on the theme Christmas Elves. The 1,000 square meter elf land features hundreds of moving elves plus the snow queen’s cold crystal grotto, a children’s theater and the biggest mechanical Santa Claus in the entire Denmark.

4. Christmas Town in Horsens

Horsens Juleby or the famous Christmas Town is situated right in the center of Horsens. What you’ll see here are small and colorful wooden houses decorated with a variety of Christmas decorations, lights plus sweet treats and presents.

Horsens

There are lots of things to buy here such as wooden toys, felt hats, burnt almonds, art works and Christmas decors. A special program is also organized to entertain visitors and this includes music and fun for the entire family. The best part is that it’s free to visit this place where individuals and families can have a memorable Christmas vacation.

The Horsens Christmas Town can be visited from December 4 to 20 each year. If the name sounds not very familiar to you, Horsens is a town in he southern part of Aarhus and east of Jutland.

3. Hans Christian Andersen market in Odense

Do you remember The Little Match Seller as a story in your childhood? Christmas takes a center stage in many of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. Today you can explore the fairy tale spirit on the island of Fyn, the birth place of the famous story teller. Experience old fashioned market atmosphere with Christmas decorations, booths, vegetable market and lots of entertainment inspired by the fairy tale poet.

2. Go for a Christmas Beer in Copenhagen

If you are tired of hot wine at the Christmas markets, go for a Christmas beer for a change. Almost every Danish brewery launches a Christmas beer, following the clever marketing example of a certain green brand. Don‘t be surprised by Santas handing out free samples.

Christmas Beer

1. Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens

When you happen to be in Copenhagen from November to December, the Tivoli Gardens is one place you should not ever miss. From being a regular amusement park on ordinary days, this famous tourist spot in Copenhagen becomes a festive area filled with colorful and twinkling lights and sweet treats for sale.. The lights that surround the Tivoli village are made up of more than 1,800 light chains all in an effort to create a vibrant Christmas atmosphere within the entire amusement park.

For an unforgettable family outing, taking a stroll around the market with more than 70 different stalls is a great activity to do. The market is also where you can buy some authentic Danish produce from food and drinks to creative decors that’s only available during the Christmas season.

Visitors who can brave the cold are most welcome to go ice skating at  the Tivoli Lake at night for a more romantic activity.