Who: Dirk Wold (left) and Rick Schoenhals (right), both of Denver
Where: Copenhagen
Out and about: Copenhagen was the final destination and a highlight of our Scandinavian adventure, which also included several stops in Sweden and Norway. We traveled by jet, train, ferry, automobile, funicular (incline railway), cable car, cruise ship and bicycle, and ventured as far north as Tromso, Norway, more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. By and large we discovered that Scandinavians speak excellent English and are very welcoming to Americans. Because of its northern latitude, the sun sets very late in København (Danish translation) in the summer, allowing for long days of exploration while enjoying the mild summer climate. We spent one day navigating central Copenhagen on foot, including Strøget (the longest pedestrian-only street in Europe) and the magnificent Tivoli Gardens, and we spent another day exploring a wealth of other sights entirely by bicycle – there was never a need for cabs or other public transportation, except for a boat tour through Copenhagen’s extensive canals.
Travel tip: Bicycles rule in Copenhagen – most residents own bicycles, and many use them as their primary means of transportation. Copenhagen has hundreds of public bikes that are free for anyone to use (a small refundable deposit is required). It’s such a flat city with miles and miles of bike lanes that make biking the easiest, quickest and most fun way to get around.
