I’ve spent a week in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, and it is a place that just feels good . If you look at photos of the city you’ll see beauty and history and amazing architecture (old and new), but that won’t give you a feeling of the place, so I’ll try to let my words do the talking and suggest you take the photos below as eye candy. Denmark has consistently ranked as one of the best countries for quality of life and happiness (alongside Finland, Norway and Switzerland), as measured by income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity. Taxes here are very high – the base rate is 40%,or 65%+ for high income-earners – yet the majority of people support this because they know the country will support them when they need it for healthcare, loss of job, study etc. Home loan interest rates are only 0.5%. There are bike roads everywhere, plus metro trains and buses making it so easy to move around the city. And then there’s the Danish philosophy of Hygge, pronounced ‘hewgge’ in a NZ accent. If you Google the word hygge it has a very formal description that talks about intentional intimacy and coziness. From my time here, and talking with people, it seems to mean being happy in yourself, living in the moment and sharing your happiness with others, and that happiness comes from you and not from things. Which is a wonderful outlook on life and one I can relate to! And it really does feel like that here, even to a visitor. I’m eating alone in a restaurant and people seated next to me invite me to conversation explaining we’ll all have a better night if we share it together. Trampolines installed on the footpath just to have fun with (I LOVE these trampolines so much). People move out of your way, and you do the same because it’s nicer. Babies in prams sit on the footpath outside neighborhood stores while their parents are inside. Bikes are lined up on footpaths unlocked. Cemeteries are parks where people walk and picnic and spend time, and they’re beautiful. People you meet want to help you have the best time in their city. It’s cheap to eat healthy (until recently there was a tax on nuts ! because they’re high in fat). Neighborhoods are becoming nicer and safer through the efforts of locals and start up businesses wanting to create a better place to live. I’m sure these traits also exist in other places, but this is the first place I have been where it is so apparent. As I’ve talked with people about my travel they’re like WOW that’s amazing that you’re taking time to find yourself, but that’s not it. I don’t need finding. I know who I am. I’m taking time for me and investing in my happiness and love of travel and learning new things. Which is actually pretty hygge 🙂 🙂
I’ve stayed in a few different places in Copenhagen because I keep extending my stay – first in the very centre, which is nice to see but I recommend you move out to one of the suburbs to experience life as a local. I rented an apartment through Airbnb in Norrebro which is a young hipster neighborhood and really nice to stay in. And right now I’m in Vesterbro which was an industrial area that is fast becoming known for amazing food and art. Copenhagen has 17 restaurants with Michelin stars and is quite the place for foodies – I’ve eaten in a few of the off-shoot places owned by the Michelin star places and the food is really good. Even the current food trend of porridge (made from pearl barley) is good, served savoury with chicken, coriander, chilli and peanuts; or sweet with apple and syrup.
As well as wandering and exploring in my usual way I have also booked some tours through Air BnB which have been amazing. I love biking but because I am not used to being on the other side of the road, and there are SO many bikes, I book a bike tour to help me get my bearings and understand the road rules. Highly recommend doing this, or just rent a bike and stay on the right. This city is made for biking and with no hills you can get anywhere fast. I also booked a tour called ‘Good evening, hygge and happiness’ which was the best experience, run by grad students, exploring the parts of Copenhagen you won’t find by yourself and having a wonderful time. This tour also introduced me to orange wine, which is not made by oranges, but is a type of wine that is orange in colour, organic, and really tasty. And I chose a walking tour of the city to understand its history – also run by a grad student and it was great to get a deeper insight and to piece everything together.
Tomorrow I catch a train to Berlin, and while I’m looking forward to seeing it, I am sad to be leaving because I like it so much. I must be feeling comfortable here because I am often asked for directions by people speaking Danish – I send them off in different directions with a smile, a bit of English and my few Scandi words – Ja = yes, Takk = thanks, Exact = you’re so right, Absolute = yep, Top class = that is most excellent. Hopefully they found what they needed 🙂 And if I do find a new version of myself while I’m traveling I’d like her to be part Danish 🙂 🙂
Nyhavn 
Copenhagen copied its canals from Amsterdam back in the day 
It’s a copy 
Little mermaid 
Bikes rule 
Love this t shirt 
Xmas is all around 
Lobster is cheap 
Trampolines! In the footpath!! 
Cemeteries are parks for walking and relaxing, and they’re beautiful 
Wonderful storyteller and most famous Dane 
Squirrel! 
Frederik and Mary’s place 
Orange wine 
Hygge 🙂 
Pearl barley porridge 
The real ones were hiding 
Tivoli gardens ready for Halloween 
🙂
I see you finally got some lobster 😊
Ha ha ha ha ha YES. No diamonds yet though 🙂
I loved my short visit many years ago and it sounds like it’s got even better. Xx
So good. Top of my list xxxxx