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Christmas tour in Copenhagen – candles, cookies and cosiness

What makes Danish Christmas unique? Join us on a guided tour in the beautiful, ornamented Copenhagen, and see how it lights up in the darkness of December. Experience Danish “hygge”  and get to know our traditions with candles, cookies and cosiness. Hear about the many different dishes that we eat for Christmas, and find out why Danes hide an almond in their rice pudding and dance around the Christmas tree! See typical Danish Christmas ornaments and listen to the story behind them. Learn about the Danes’ relationship to church and Christianity, and understand how the old yuletide celebrations still influence our traditions. Taste some of the traditional things we eat and drink and get suggestions on where to do your shopping.

Christmas tour description

The tour starts in Nyhavn, that sets the perfectly Christmas-lit setting for your holiday in Copenhagen. The cafés and restaurants offer Danish Christmas delicacies and the annual Christmas market fills the cobbled street with decorated stalls. We will tell you about the best Christmas markets and where to go christmas shopping in Copenhagen as we make our way through the beatiful old part of Copenhagen.

We will continue through the streets of the inner part of Copenhagen: Kongens Nytorv, Amagertorv, Gråbrødretorv, Our Lady’s church, Old Square and end the tour at the Town Hall Square.

On the tour we will tell you all about Danish Christmas and the many traditions that we have in December. Why do we enjoy Christmas
this much? It may have something to do with “hygge”. Of course you will not only learn about the the Christmas traditions – you will also taste the mulled wine and the Christmas cookies.

Facts about Christmas

  • When the first Christian missionaries tried to convince the Vikings that Christ was a better god – and more and less succeded after 200 years – the church tried to change the name jul to Kristmesse – like Christmas –but the people in the North were pretty stubborn and sticked to the word jul.
  • Even though we became Lutherans in Denmark in 1536, we still have 3 days that refers to catholic saints. One of them is Saint Lucia. In Copenhagen the latest edition of the Lucia celebration is in kayaks in the canals of Copenhagen.
  • In December you will hear the Danes talk a lot about Christmas lunches and for a foreigner it can be a little confusing since Christmas “lunch” is often eaten in the evening and more is the Danish word for Christmas party.
  • In Denmark the Christmas elf is called a ”Nisse”. He was a pagan thing and in the old days he was not a happy helpful guy who would be Santa Claus’ assistent. No he had a hot temper and the farmers would try to please him in any way they could, they would give him porridge, because they saw him like a protector of the farm who were around all year.

Practical information
Duration: 2 hours
Start/end: At New Harbour / City Hall Square
Including: Homemade Danish Christmas cookies and a warm beverage

If you want to know more about this tour or book it please write or call:

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The harbour- the heart of Copenhagen

Copenhagen Harbour – where it all happens

Enjoy this scenic walk along Copenhagen harbour. This is where the dramatic and fantastic history of Copenhagen has happened and this is where the cool places are situated. Let us take you through the heart of Copenhagen. From The Little Mermaid to Nyhavn. Let us tell you the dramatic stories of the colonies, of the ones entering and the ones leaving Copenhagen. This is also the story of Kings and Queens, sailors and traders, adventurers and the people of the city. But most of all, it is a story of the heart and soul of the Copenhageners.

On the tour you will see:

  • The Little Mermaid
  • The statue Angel
  • The Langelinie Park
  • The Gefion Fountain
  • The old Citadel
  • The Second World War memorials
  • The old Custom House
  • The old Warehouses
  • Amalienborg
  • Nyhavn
Practical information
Duration: 2,5 hours
Start/end: New Harbour
Including: Authorized guide

This tour is also possible on a bicycle!

If you want to know more about this tour or book it please write or call:

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Nyhavn

The last stop on the harbour tour is Nyhavn, which is one of the most popular spots in Copenhagen. Here 350 years of Danish history are gathered in one place. Join Mette for a special walk around the sunny Nyhavn:

 

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UNESCO World Heritage sights in Denmark

Explore the Danish Heritage

The best way to experience and explore the Danish heritage is by going to Roskilde. Join us for a tour where you will explore the magnificent cathedral – an architectural masterpiece. 1000 years of Danish history are gathered here under beautifully decorated vaults and in dark crypts. Here 39 kings and queens of Denmark lie buried and the cathedral is thus one of the most sacred places in Denmark. The cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Afterwards we will visit the Viking Museum where original ships lay by the fjord. Your guide will tell you all the stories of the vikings. The Museum is the only place in the world where you can see 1000-year-old Viking ships, and then go directly out to the Museum harbour where the full-scale reconstructed Viking ships lie moored at the quayside.

Would you like to take part in an unique sailing trip with a Viking ship? At this museum, you can!

Optional:    Sailing a viking ship (6 hours from 9 am – 3 pm) extra charge pp. € 25,-
Lunch at Café Knarr at the Viking Museum, that serves new nordic viking food.

Practical information
Duration: 5 hours
Start/end: At your hotel
Including: Authorized guide and private van
Optional: Sail with a viking ship (€25) or have a new nordic viking meal in the museum restaurant before we head back to Copenhagen.

If you want to know more about this tour or book it, you can contact us here:  [button link=”#https://new.copenhagenthisway.com/contact-us/” type=”icon” icon=”mail”] Contact us![/button]

Roskilde Cathedral history

3D animated historical tour from the 10th century till today…
Animated by Johan Gerup

 

Roskilde Cathedral (UNESCO/NHK)
Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, this was Scandinavia’s first Gothic cathedral to be built of bricks. This style then spread throughout northern Europe. It has been the mausoleum of the Danish royal family since the 15th century. Porches and side chapels were added up to the end of the 19th century. Thus it provides a clear overview of the development of European religious architecture.

 

 

 

Viking Voyage – BBC TimeWatch, 2008

In 2007 a crew of 65 brave men and women set sail on a journey from Roskilde to Dublin in a 30m (100ft) Viking longship named “Havhingsten fra Glendalough” (“Sea Stallion from Glendalough”). A Danish reconstruction of the Skuldelev 2 ship is on display in the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum and originally built around 1040 near Dublin. BBC TimeWatch follows this amazing journey of experimental maritime archaeology.

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Christianshavn – Little Amsterdam

Christianshavn: Canals, warehouses and colonial reminiscence

Join us on a walking tour that will take you through the charming neighborhood of Christianshavn. This 17th century part of Copenhagen is oozing with atmosphere. Strolling down the cobbled streets and the narrow canals, you get really close to the locals. We will also visit several back yards to get a closer look at everyday life of the Copenhageners

On this guided walk you will hear the fascinating stories of slave captains, slum and high society in the past. The city tour will also take you to the old ramparts that used to surround Copenhagen.

You will also see the fascinating Church of our Savior and visit the free town of Christiania where you can get lost in a different world for a few moments.

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Copenhagen Cosy Tour – Chasing Danish ‘ Hygge’

It is hyggeligt!

The Scandinavian word “Hygge” (pronounced hue-gah) was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017, but what is ‘hygge’??

Hygge is a word Danes use every day and it is deeply embedded in our psyche. There is no simple English translation for the term, but it is the state of feeling warm, snug, safe, happy, content, loved and at peace. If you ask a Dane, they will likely say that hygge is something you do with family and friends, creating intimacy, conviviality and comfort. Hygge is the art of feeling happy, being you, and of making the ordinary feel extraordinary.

Chasing the mentality

Join us on this tour where we will explore the world of “hygge” as we walk through the streets of Copenhagen, showing you the hidden places and squares  in the old charming part of Copenhagen.

It does not take much to get cosy and for many Danes it is closely related to food and drinks, so of course we will take you to a hyggelig cafe or cosy park for a cup of the Danes’ favorite drink, coffee, or a nice elderflower drink and talk about the Danes and their way of life.

So if you want a hyggelig day and get under the skin of the Danish mentality, this tour is perfect for you!

Practical information
Duration: 2,5 hours
Start/end: Your hotel
Including: Authorized guide, snack and beverage
Price: (for 2 – 12 people) Dkk 350 / $ 55 / € 47

Price is for a group of 12 people. If you are fewer or more, please contact us for another price.

If you want to know more about this tour or book it, you can contact us here: 

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Copenhagen Bike Safari

Copenhagen is a biking city!

Did you know that more than 300.000 cyclists commute through Copenhagen every day?
Each day people of Copenhagen bike 1,34 mio. km. That is 31 times around the world!
And that we have 400 km. of biking lanes to ride on?

It might look overwhelming when a big group of fast riding bikers pass you on the street, but Copenhagen is a green city where people go from A to B on two wheels. Make the jump and join us on a bike tour and do as the locals. On our bicycle safari we will explore the cool bridges along the harbour front, and see the highlights of the city. Copenhagen is full of hidden gems and green breathing holes – making it ideal for a day out on two wheels.

Haven’t ridden a bike before? We make sure that your safety comes first. We will give you an instruction on how to use the bike and equip you with a helmet, so no need to worry!

By bike you get a chance to see much more and with one of our local guides, it is time well spend!

Practical information
Duration: 3,5 hours
Meeting point: At your hotel
Included: Licensed guide, bike rental and helmet
Participants: 12 persons
Price: DKK 499 / $ 79 / € 67

We also arrange individual tours – please contact us if you have any questions or wish to book the tour: 

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Carlsberg – A story about Danish beer

The Father, The Son and The Beer

In 1838  J. C. Jacobsen tasted Bavarian beer for the first time. It was the start of the world’s fourth largest brewery, Carlsberg.
Meet us at Carlsberg and join us on a journey where we talk about the history of beer which started over 10.000 years ago!
We tell about the founder J. C. Jacobsen, who named the brewery after his son Carl and the hill upon which the plant is located – Valby Bakke.
The son entered the family business, but they got into a conflict, and that is why you will hear about New and Old Carlsberg. We will tell you about their battles and reconciliation.

Carlsberg has donated many gifts to the people of Denmark – like Frederiksborg Slot, The Glyptotek, The Botanical Garden and last but surely not least, the Little Mermaid.

We will walk around in the Carlsberg City, visit the garden, look at both the old and new buildings and hear the story. And of course… there are no talks about beer without tastings.

Did you know that in the 1800th century the water in Copenhagen was so dirty, that you had to drink beer instead? Any grownup received 6 liters of beer a day and the students at the latin schools got 3-4 liters!

Practical information
Duration: 3 hours
Start/end: At your hotel
Including: Authorized guide and a guided tour in the area
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