Copenhagen’s Hidden Gems: Cold Plunges, Warm Hearts, and Twinkling Lights

What better way to christen the start of a trip than with a champagne toast at the airport!

As a child, I relished the fairytales is Hans Christian Anderson, The Ugly Ducking, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid… I often dreamed of traveling to his beloved Copenhagen… and it does not disappoint. 

We arrived at 6 in the morning from our overnight flight. The social nature of the Danish people is evident immediately.

Our hotel, the Kanalhouset, offers a morning swim in the Baltic Sea followed by a choral sing. Well, after nearly 24 hours of little sleep and cramped travel, how can you pass that up! The Baltic Sea was a brisk 17 degrees Celsius  a natural invigorator for jet lag and better than compression socks for swollen ankles.

The small band of brave souls who padded along the canal, across the bridge to the plunge site soon found the joy in the cold clean water and an instant camaraderie. Once everyone adapted then chilled sufficiently, we joined our host on the dock to sing together. As our group consisted of an international group it was decided we would sing in English. Earth Wind and Fire’s September ( bah de dah say do you remember) never sounded so good. You cannot plunge in the cold then sing together and not feel a social bond. The experience began with some skepticism but in the end ….we left believers!

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is located on the Baltic Sea and a stone’s throw ( if you take the bridge) to Sweden.

It is a lovely mix of old and new. Charming old architectural buildings line the streets along the series of canals. Boats, ships, kayaks etc. sail briskly by the cafes and restaurants.

Modern new buildings coexist alongside repurposed factories. Bicycles rule the roadways. 

The bustling food court market Torvehallerne fills with tourists and locals for the smørrebørd offerings, fruits, vegetable and flower markets, and of course beer and other libations. 

We try to make the most of a shortened stay in Copenhagen by taking a boat tour billed as The Hidden Gems. The Hey Captain boat company highlights the social boating ethos.

Our captain, a young woman architect turned set design/ theatre productionist, led our group of 10 through many sights of Copenhagen from the resplendent opera house, to the windmill farm, to the many socially or  environmentally substantiating practices evident along the Danish coast,

all while building a community among us as we shared stories of ourselves. And …we got to see the Little Mermaid!

It is storied that Walt Disney imagined his Disneyland after visiting Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

The botanical gardens, bursting with blooms and artistically crafted floral displays and statuary fill the park and were spotlighted during the Blomsterfestival.

At night, the magical twinkle of the countless lights illuminate the park and make it worth the trip. If you are a thrill seeker, the multiple roller coasters are only slightly less deathdefying than the free fall drop, bloodcurdeling scream included! 

Copenhagen gave us fairy tales, friendships, and a plunge we won’t forget. Next stop—Sweden!