It's a long post because we did TONS on our first day. I've pared it down to about one photo per activity to try and save your eyes ;)
This city was on my list of Top 5 cities to visit while we live in London and it lived up to all the hype!
This city was on my list of Top 5 cities to visit while we live in London and it lived up to all the hype!
Our Airbnb penthouse, 97 steps up from the street. It was nice that it was a penthouse for the light and views over the 'lakes' but it was not our favourite thing to climb up.
We woke up early to get on an early canal cruise. We chose to go with the company whose open-top boat was at the Nyhaven dock. It was DEFINITELY worthwhile for a quick hour around the canals (and we had beautiful weather). It's always nice to sit and sightsee!
OK, ok a repeat sight but LOOK AT IT. It's a must see when in Copenhagen. Seriously, Nyhaven (pronounced kinda like new-ha-ben) don't miss it.
The canal cruise took us pretty close to the famous Little Mermaid statue. It is cool to see but not worth fighting the crowds to get a better picture of it than this...sorry y'all.
She has been patched up from various acts of vandalism and weather wearing down on her.
Pick up a few of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and you'll have more of a HC Andersen moment than walking/biking/driving/riding all the way out to photograph it.
She has been patched up from various acts of vandalism and weather wearing down on her.
Pick up a few of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and you'll have more of a HC Andersen moment than walking/biking/driving/riding all the way out to photograph it.
Amalienborg Slot, where the Royal Family lives and Fredricks Church in the background.
Amalienborg is a set of buildings around a large square. You can kind of make out the copper statue of a man on a horse in the center there...just to the right of the fountain...see it?
Amalienborg is a set of buildings around a large square. You can kind of make out the copper statue of a man on a horse in the center there...just to the right of the fountain...see it?
Christiania (I think) or at least near the Freetown of Christiania.
There was a world food market a stone's throw from Nyhaven that we puttered around helping ourselves to cheese, cured meat and fruit samples.
These french tomatoes would be so fun to cook! Look at that unique shape of the far left tomatoes.
My favourite samples were of the perfectly ripe cherries and apricots...yuuuuummm
These french tomatoes would be so fun to cook! Look at that unique shape of the far left tomatoes.
My favourite samples were of the perfectly ripe cherries and apricots...yuuuuummm
We joined a Free Walking Tour by Absalon Statue on Højbro Plads.
It was a 90 minute tour that covered some great historical spots and the highlights of Danish history like the Round Tower, second oldest university, the city's old (and best) bakery, Church of our Lady, the pedestrian shopping street and LEGO of course.
This spot that I photographed was the site of the most recent terrorist act in Copenhagen. February 2015, a gunman opened fire into a cafe where Swedish cartoonist, Lars Vilks, was participating in a debate revolving around the freedom of speech.
The gunmen fled to the heart of the city, near the synagogue on a narrow street and opened fire on a bat mitvah, killing a guard standing at the door.
The police response time was heartbreakingly slow to the shootings but they have not left the area since. There is always a police van and a few police present on this street for protection of the Jewish community.
It was a 90 minute tour that covered some great historical spots and the highlights of Danish history like the Round Tower, second oldest university, the city's old (and best) bakery, Church of our Lady, the pedestrian shopping street and LEGO of course.
This spot that I photographed was the site of the most recent terrorist act in Copenhagen. February 2015, a gunman opened fire into a cafe where Swedish cartoonist, Lars Vilks, was participating in a debate revolving around the freedom of speech.
The gunmen fled to the heart of the city, near the synagogue on a narrow street and opened fire on a bat mitvah, killing a guard standing at the door.
The police response time was heartbreakingly slow to the shootings but they have not left the area since. There is always a police van and a few police present on this street for protection of the Jewish community.
Our walking tour ended at the food market, Torvehallerne where we got some amazing food. The duck sandwich from Ma Poule is wholly worth the rave reviews, got a delectable pizza from Grom's and of course, tried an open-faced sandwich from Hallernes Smørrerød. It's OK. Not my new fave, but not gross.
I am so happy to have this photo of Taylor hurrying me through Rosenborg Slot. He's my favourite but doesn't love discovering Royal Houses like I do. Lucky for him, we had to run through all the rooms anyway in order to see it all before it closed.
The Great Hall
Three silver lions, impressive tapestries and sculpted ceilings. Swoon.
The Crown Jewels are kept in the basement, separate entrance from the rest of the house. #fancy
Inside the Church of Our Lady are housed some beautiful sculptures including the original Christus, whose replicas are so prominently displayed in LDS churches and visitor's centers.
We hopped on some the the city rental bikes to head to our next desired location.
There are these silver bikes that are docked in multiple spots around the city. They are fancy with touch screens and user profiles to rent, lock and return the bikes. Not only can they also outline a route for you to get around, they are ELECTRIC. That means that when you start peddling, it helps you along. You can get some speed with very little effort. It was awkward to get used to, particularly when braking, but so nice when we were already so tired!
*Beware, read up on some bike safety and road rules because they are SERIOUS about the bikes lanes and about bikes following appropriate traffic law. Police officers will pull over bikers acting incorrectly or tourist being to haphazard about the bike lane.
We hopped on some the the city rental bikes to head to our next desired location.
There are these silver bikes that are docked in multiple spots around the city. They are fancy with touch screens and user profiles to rent, lock and return the bikes. Not only can they also outline a route for you to get around, they are ELECTRIC. That means that when you start peddling, it helps you along. You can get some speed with very little effort. It was awkward to get used to, particularly when braking, but so nice when we were already so tired!
*Beware, read up on some bike safety and road rules because they are SERIOUS about the bikes lanes and about bikes following appropriate traffic law. Police officers will pull over bikers acting incorrectly or tourist being to haphazard about the bike lane.
We climbed to an observation point at the top of the Church of Our Savior.
The steps that lead to the spire start inside and end OUTSIDE. NOT for those with acrophobia as a preteen girl could testify as someone forced her up the stairs.
The gelato was unexpectedly delicious! On our canal tour, the guide mentioned something about people going to Copenhagen for the ice cream which was news to me, but HAPPY news because a) we LOVE ice cream and b) we happened to get amazing weather which begged for cooling off with a sweet treat served in a freshly made waffle cone :)
Tivoli Gardens!
We rode as many rides as we could. New ones, kid ones, good ones and one so intense, we'll be talking about it until we die. We came close to death, or at least losing some organs, on that ride. I don't even know what's it's called. I could look it up but then I would surely relive it and I'm not ready for that.
It really does get magical at night.
We stayed until the firework show which is only on Saturday night at 11:45pm.
This might have been the best show I've seen only because of how impressive it was that the explosions were perfectly set to some sick beats. The music and show were spectacular. As expected in such a great place.
It was a long full day and it was such a good one.
You can check out my public Instagram account @larsonsinlondon for more of the hundreds of photos I took on our trip. Day 2 coming up soon.
This might have been the best show I've seen only because of how impressive it was that the explosions were perfectly set to some sick beats. The music and show were spectacular. As expected in such a great place.
It was a long full day and it was such a good one.
You can check out my public Instagram account @larsonsinlondon for more of the hundreds of photos I took on our trip. Day 2 coming up soon.
