DENMARK - THE LAND OF THE VIKINGS
DENMARK - THE LAND OF THE VIKINGS
The Kingdom of Denmark is a Nordic country in northern Europe, and its capital is Copenhagen. It is the smallest and least expensive (but still expensive) of all Scandinavian countries, with a population of almost 6 million people. Its head is a Monarch (Queen Margrethe II), and it has the oldest Monarchy in Europe. Even though there is a monarchy, the Prime Minister is the head of the government. Denmark is not only famous for the popular and iconic Christmas Danish butter cookies but also famous for LEGO bricks. It also holds the title of the second happiest country worldwide and is the land of the Vikings, as the locals proudly refer to it. Please continue reading to find out what it is like to travel to Denmark, the land of the Vikings.
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WHAT OR WHO ARE THE VIKINGS AND THEIR ORIGINS?
The Vikings originated in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. However, they settled in other countries such as Ireland, Iceland, and Wales, among others. Denmark seems to have claimed this title more than the other two countries.
The word Viking, is a modern Scandinavian word for Norse, Northmen, or Norsemen, used during the 8th to the 11th century. Previously, the Vikings were seafaring people who were explorers, colonizers, traders, pirates, and raiders during that period. The helmet with the horns is their signature Viking symbol, which dates back to the 19th century, but they used it mainly for ceremonial purposes and not regular use. Nonetheless, the Danes are proud to carry the title of Vikings and to flash tattoos and or wear symbols representing it.
ENTRY INTO DENMARK
Entry into the Kastrup or Copenhagen International Airport was easy. There was no jet/air bridge for a direct walk from the plane to the building and vice versa. Instead, they used shuttle buses for arrival and departure from this airport (I am uncertain if it is the norm for all flights/airlines). Even though it is the busiest and biggest airport in the Nordic countries, it was quite easy to navigate.
Whether you are a first-time traveller, have a disability, or travelling with children, this airport is user-friendly. Unlike those big airports where you need to walk for miles or use a train to immigration and luggage pickup, this one was straightforward to maneuver. You can walk between terminals, and a free shuttle bus serves terminals 2 and 3.
The immigration section was small, and the service was quick. On arrival, I had no interaction with officers, questions, proof of accommodation, and received no arrival stamp. I was then off to luggage pickup, an easy exit through Customs, and out the door to transport in less than 20 minutes. On departure, the TSA Officers were pleasant and quick. They stamped my passport then it was a comfortable walk to my gate.
EXITING DENMARK - Thanks Norwegian Shuttle Airlines
I want to thank the check-in staff at Norwegian Shuttle airlines because my vacation nearly ended during my departure from Copenhagen. Here is a recap of the event and why. On the day of departure from Denmark, after checking in at the Norweigan Shuttle airlines desk, I unknowingly left my travel pouch (comprising all reservations, essential travel documents, and ALL the cash I had for my vacation) at the counter.
As the story goes, it was the first time I unashamedly cried in public. Here I was at the TSA screeners, and after scanning my bag and repacking it, I realized my travel pouch was missing. I then had all the TSA screeners in a frenzy, checking and rechecking the area and the tapes to see where it disappeared (I was sure it was in my handbag when I sent it down the scanner). When I could not find it, I became distressed (picture me with my hand on the wall crying). The workers were considerate and tried to help me. I then asked to return to the airline check-in counter to see if maybe it was there. They unwillingly did so but stamped my boarding pass with instructions for the airline to reissue a new one because I would have to do another security check-in on return.
Denmark - the land of the Vikings Cont...
So, walking back to the check-in counter and praying that my pouch was there because if I could not find it, my vacation would have ended. Because the budgeted money for food, transport, sightseeing, hotels (some accommodations requests cash and do not accept credit cards), and other incidentals for all countries, were inside. My credit card, which was in my wallet, was mainly for emergency use and to pay for some accommodations that were unpaid in advance. I know! Some might say travelling with cash is risky, but it is my tried and tested method to my travel budget madness. Besides, you have more control over your spending this way.
When I arrived at the counter, and as soon as the lady at the check-in counter (which was now closed) saw me, she came forward and rested her hand on my shoulder and said, “you left your pouch here, and we found it and sent it to your departure gate”. Talk about being relieved and super happy! I could have kissed her.
I thanked her and hastily returned to the TSA security scan, then to my gate. In the meantime, I was still anxious and prayed that all the money was still inside. After about 25 minutes walk, I arrived at the counter, and before noticing the male Norwegian airline employee behind the desk, I saw the pouch first on the counter in front of him. I was so relieved when I identified myself to him, retrieved and opened it, and saw all the money still inside. I thanked the employee and sat and awaited my flight.
So big thank you to Norwegian Shuttle Airlines for saving my trip. Notwithstanding this, the airline check-in staff were friendly, onboard staff and services were excellent, and no hassle for exact luggage weight on all three flights I took with them.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS TO THE CITY OF COPENHAGEN
From the Kastrup or Copenhagen International Airport to downtown Copenhagen, it is approximately 20 – 30 minutes. Taxis are the most expensive and convenient, especially if you have lots of luggage. Additionally, there are other transport options like the trains/metro (15 minutes to the city), bikes (yes, believe it or not, for the luggage-free traveller), and public buses, being the slowest and cheapest option (bus 5A takes 45 minutes) to the city. There is no Uber. It is illegal in Denmark.
ABOUT THE CITY OF COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen (Kobenhavn) is the largest city in Denmark and is on the islands of Zealand and Amager. It is the financial, cultural, and governmental center of Denmark. The city is so big that they divided it into 15 districts. There is no way one can walk the entire city in one day. It is home to over 1 million people and is a unique, vibrant, and beautiful city with a lively culture.
Many of the buildings are in traditional bright, bold colours. The brilliant red, orange, terracotta, or clay-coloured buildings give life to the city, even in the winter when the skies are grey. We know Copenhagen for its cycling culture, colourful, crooked houses, gorgeous canals, and happy and friendly locals. It is home to the splendid Nyhavn harbour, beautiful royal palaces, and home to the iconic “Little Mermaid”. Copenhagen is the largest in Scandinavia. However, everything is within easy reach.
The number one street food is hotdogs (frankfurters) because hotdog stands are everywhere. The locals love them, and so do the visitors. I am not a lover of hotdogs, but I can tell you Denmark franks are nothing like the ones I have had. Some have cheese in the middle and are more delightful than ordinary ones.
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Over 50% of Copenhaganers cycle to work daily. Furthermore, the country has twice as many bicycles as cars. I learned to strengthen my bladder muscles in Copenhagen because the public washrooms were mainly card operated instead of cash. When I found one that accepted cash, it was expensive. Forget going to most of the fast-food outlets. They either had no washroom or had a code to enter them. The tap water in the city is excellent for consumption because it is one of the cleanest, safest, and most refreshing water worldwide.
One observation in the city was the petrol/gas stations were all void of workers. All were card usage and self-service. Copenhagen is a highly digital society, and self-service and cards (they also accept cash, especially at restaurants, unlike some other countries) seem to be the norm.
Copenhagen is a UNESCO-UIA World capital of Architecture. Might I add, this makes the city and outskirts super-beautiful places, 100%. Despite this, I found the city was a bit on the boring side (entertainment-wise). Maybe it was the time of year I visited but during the six days I was there, nothing exciting or entertaining, occurred in the city.
Other Information you Should know about Denmark
- The languages spoken – Danish (official language), German, and English.
- Official currency – Danish Krone.
1 USD = 7.71 DKK
1 Euro = 7.44 DKK
1 Pound = 8.13 DKK
- Denmark has the world’s oldest flag.
- There are no mountains in Denmark (it is relatively flat).
- Denmark is home to the magical Tivoli Gardens, which inspired Disneyland.
- Denmark has the oldest amusement parks worldwide; (Tivoli Gardens and Bakken).
- Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was once the capital of three countries, including Sweden and Norway, in the 15th century.
- Denmark is one of the most digitized economies (ranks 4th) worldwide. It ranks second in digital competitiveness in the European Union. They have more internet users than any other EU country. Its population is tech-savvy (even if they had to learn, kicking and screaming).
- A fun tradition/custom in Denmark; being unmarried on your 25th birthday gives your friends and family the social right to bathe or sprinkle you from head to toe with cinnamon powder.
- Denmark has the best pension system in the world, alongside Iceland and the Netherlands.
- A Dane invented the LEGO bricks in 1949. Lego-coloured brick houses are also very colourful and impressive, especially in Nyhavn.
- Denmark has a 25% sales tax (no wonder why it is so expensive). Additionally, the Danes pay as much as 45% income tax.
- Shakespeare’s Hamlet castle is in Denmark. Kronborg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Denmark Denmark inhabits only 76 of the 444 islands they possess.
- Hygge (pronounced hyoo-gah) is a Danish word. It is difficult to explain, but it represents a living concept that focuses on coziness, enjoying the good things in life with good people, and emotional well-being. They added the word to the Oxford dictionary in 2017.
- Denmark regulates the names of newborn children. Parents have a list of government-pre-approved names from which to choose. If the parents choose their own name, they must get authorization from the local church. Then government officials will then evaluate it.
- The Danes love pork, especially fried pork. Therefore, they are the world’s largest pork exporters. Denmark has more pigs than humans, at a ratio of 5 pigs to 1 Dane.
- Denmark is LGBTQIA-friendly. They were the first to recognize same-sex unions, the first to legalize them, and the first country to pass a law to recognize them and register couples as domestic partners.
- There is no place in Denmark that is more than an hour’s drive from the sea.
- Denmark is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the Author of The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, The Snow Queen, The Little Match Girl, and The Ugly Duckling. One can see the little mermaid bronze statue on a rock in the harbour, where they installed it in 1913.
- Its restaurants hold several Michelin S Stars (the Noma effect).
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- Jaywalking is a no-no in Denmark. It is a serious offense with heavy fines for those who break the law.
- The Danes contributed to medical research, which led to the discovery of insulin.
- Denmark is the maker of Anton Berg chocolates (get them on Amazon) …the best chocolate in the world (just my view). The Anton Berg chocolates in tiny bottles with the liquor inside are the bestttt.. Anyone can “butter me up” with these chocolates any day. 🙂
- Denmark has the oldest monarchy in Europe (Harald Bluetooth was the first king in the kingdom of Denmark, established in the 10th century). Interestingly, Bluetooth technology was named after king Bluetooth. The Bluetooth symbol was that of his name in the Vikings’ symbol for “H” and “B”.
- Two Danish brothers built the initial map of Google Maps.
- Denmark is the producer of Carlsberg and Tuborg beers.
- Biking is a big culture in Denmark. It is one of the many countries with the most cyclists.
- Many locals enjoy living in two different homes. They have a summer home or Colony gardens (offered by the government) and a winter home. The arrangement comes with rules; they do not allow anyone to live or stay in the summer homes year-round, so during the winter, they turn off the water. These summerhouses are a 400-year-old tradition. The idea of these colonies was a means of escape for people living in the city center. It was an opportunity for the locals to get away and enjoy the green space and fresh air and grow vegetables during the weekends and non-winter months, and not to live all year. The tradition continues today.
I had the pleasure of visiting some of these summer houses, and they are small plots with cozy, small houses, and delightful tiny gardens.
- The Danes love carrots. They eat them all day like candy.
- Denmark has the world’s second biggest candy eaters, especially Licorice.
ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF DENMARK AND SECURITY
The Danes are such sweethearts. They are very personable, helpful, and friendly people. Danish people are tall, with blond hair and blue eyes. Christianity is the predominant religion of Denmark, even though they are in the top 5 list of having the most atheists. Over 3/4 of the population belong to Evangelical Lutheran, 3% Roman Catholic, and approximately 5% Muslim.
Holding the title of; the second-happiest people on the planet was not too visible to me. Because from what I understand happiness to be or look like, I did not see it in Copenhagen. I have been to other countries where I have seen genuinely happier people. Even some Danes I had interactions with disagreed with the title. My view is they are a contented people. That is partially because the government takes care of their needs, like free education, free health care, smooth roads, survivorship, old age, and unemployment benefits at almost no charge to all their citizens.
However, the Danes are truly pleasant and love making silly jokes. There is nothing like being in a country with warm people. It makes you feel welcome.
Denmark - the land of the Vikings Cont...
Copenhagen is a safe city. At all times, I walked fearlessly with no thought of being robbed or any such occurrence. From my observation, I saw no homeless persons, beggars, or stray animals. What does this tell me? That the Danes and government care about their own. I saw hardly any police officers, yet I felt safe. Denmark is as safe as it can get in an imperfect world.
HOW EXPENSIVE ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION?
Prices for everything in Denmark are high. It includes meals, accommodation, and all public transport. There is no such thing as cheap hostels or accommodation,(see booking.com for best deals in Copenhagen.
In Denmark, the public transport system comprises buses, trains, and ferries/harbour buses. However, if you buy a Copenhagen card, you will have unlimited access to all public transport without purchasing individual tickets for each and eventually cost you more.
Like everything else, meals are expensive in Denmark. However, it is about 20% cheaper compared to Switzerland.
ABOUT DANISH FOOD
Traditional Danish cuisines are famous for their meats, vegetables, fish, rye bread, and desserts made with fruits and cream. They create most dishes from local produce they grow during the summer and imported spices. For this reason, the Danes have received the international accolade, the Michelin stars, for some of their highly acclaimed restaurants in Copenhagen. I must also point out that the Danes cook with taste and flavour. They are not the “salt and pepper for seasoning” type of cooks. Salty Licorice is one of Denmark’s favorite treats. Below are some of the traditional dishes you must partake of in Denmark.
DENMARK FOODS YOU MUST TRY
1. Stegt Flaesk (pieces of pork fried until crisp and served with potatoes and parsley sauce).
2. Smorrebrod (bread with toppings like pickled herring, shrimp, and roast beef).
3. Frikadeller (Danish meatballs served with potato salad).
4. Karbonader aka Krebinetter (breaded pork patties served with peas and carrots in a white sauce or rye bread and salad).
5. Juleand (a Christmas favorite – roast duck with caramelized potatoes).
6. Flaeskesteg (popular, traditional Danish dish of roast pork loin. They serve it with potatoes, vegetables, and gravy).
7. Pickled herring (a Danish favourite. served with creamy curry or on cognac).
8. Kartoffelsalat (Danish potato salad).
9. Klarsuppe (clear soup with buttery dumplings and small meatballs).
10. Danish Hotdog aka frankfurter (#1 popular street food). They serve some the traditional way in a split hotdog roll. Others in a narrow hollowed-out bread, filled with mustard, ketchup, etc., then the frank is inserted (which in both cases is always longer than the bread). It is home to the weirdest and most unusual hotdogs. You can enjoy them in an organic or simple form, with truffles, bell peppers, blackberries, artichokes, etc.
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MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS
These are my essentials and gadgets I can never do without for a smooth and stress-free vacation. All are available on Amazon for direct links to the products, information and suggested uses.
For MUST-READ BOOKS (#ad) Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book for those who are looking to improve their life and personally grow and develop. (#ad) How to win friends and Influence people another self improvement and and social skills development read. (#ad) The Art of Travelling Alone For those who wish to learn how to save, plan, and travel alone on a budget. All offer an excellent read …perfect for long airport layovers and during your flight. CLICK HERE for the entire list of travel essentials and uses/descriptions
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MUST DO/VISIT SITES OF INTEREST IN COPENHAGEN/DENMARK
1. Tivoli Gardens Amusement park (the most popular attraction in Denmark).
2. The Little Mermaid Statue (a definite must-see, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen, the Author of The Little Mermaid. It sits on a rock next to Langeline promenade).
3. Nyhavn means new harbour (beautiful waterfront in the city where painted houses dating back to the 1600s and 1700s adorn both sides of the canal).
4. If the Vikings’ history fascinates you, visit the National Museum of Denmark, Vikings Steps, or the Viking Museum.
5. Amalienborg (the Palace of the Queen, do not miss the changing of the guards).
6. Christiansborg Palace (it contains the Office of the Prime Minister, Denmark’s Supreme Court, and the Parliament).
7. Stroget (the most popular shopping street in Copenhagen).
8. A Canal tour (a definite must-do, enjoy the city’s iconic sights from the water).
9. The Round Tower (observatory built in the 17th century, it offers the best city views).
10. Frederiksborg Castle (in Hillerod, north of Copenhagen).. The interior is breathtaking.
11. Rosenborg Castle (a 400-year-old renaissance castle in the heart of the city, it is beautiful, inside and out).
12. Kronborg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Shakespeare’s Hamlet Castle).
13. Frendensborg Palace meaning Palace of peace (located on the island of Zealand, in Frendensborg, it is approximately 2 hours by bus from the city center. It was built in the 1700s and is the summer and autumn home of the Danish Royals)
SUMMARY
Denmark is another one of those expensive countries. The accommodations, transport, and meals can quickly strain your budget. I will reiterate that the low season is always the best time to visit any country, especially the already expensive ones. Even though everything will remain the same price, accommodation prices will be lower and less crowded. Nonetheless, if you are a budget traveller, you can eat cheaper by staying at a hostel or apartment and cooking some of your meals.
In conclusion, Denmark is an overall experience because, unlike many other European countries, you can feel the warmth and friendliness of the Danish people, which touches your heart. Had I the finances, Denmark would be an ideal place for me to relocate to. I truly love the peaceful and laid-back life it offers. I highly recommend Denmark, the land of the Vikings, to all travellers. Just keep in mind that it is not a budget-friendly destination.
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