Copenhagen

Shrimps on Blue Fluted Porcelain Photo by Lennard Neilsen Click on the image for larger version

Start your exploration of famous Danish products with a visit to the Royal Copenhagen Welcome Center. This guided tour takes you through the facilities and into the workshops where world-famous Royal Copenhagen china is made. These featured pieces are from the blue fluted series that For more than 200 years has been the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory's most popular service.

For lunch, Restaurant Peder Oxe is a local favorite. Ask for smoerrebroed, the open-faced sandwiches that are a Danish tradition. For a lot more on Danish couisine, go to gastronomy in the Inspiration section. Danes are known for their architecture – old and new. Spend the afternoon admiring some of Copenhagen’s more unusual buildings.

Town Hall is notable for its golden statue of Bishop Absalon, who founded Copenhagen more than 800 years ago. The Round Tower, built in 1642, features a wide, circular path that climbs to an observatory platform overlooking the old city. At Our Savior’s Church you can climb a dizzying outdoor spiral staircase to reach the top of the tower.

Ballet Dancers Photo by Thomas Petri Click on the image for larger version

Town Hall is notable for its golden statue of Bishop Absalon, who founded Copenhagen more than 800 years ago. Fans of Danish modernist design must see the Danish National Bank and Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, both designed by modernist architect Arne Jacobsen. For a look at the newest in Danish architecture visit the Black Diamond, a shining new addition to the Royal Library.

In the evening take in a performance of the Royal Danish Ballet or Royal Opera at the historic Royal Theater on Kongens Nytorv. Built in 1748 it first served as the KIng's and later the whole country's Theater. For details on performances and contact information click here.