Denmark has it all wrapped up this Christmas
Very aptly known by the Danes as ‘The Festival of Hearts’, the Christmas period makes for a wonderfully heart-warming time to visit the three regional cities of Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, as their streets come alive with colourful festivities and market stalls from the end of November through to Christmas Eve.
Less than two hours flying time from the UK, what better way to enjoy excellent shopping with all the glorious sights, smells and tastes of the festive season than with a short break to one of these historical and vibrant cities.
AALBORG
Well-known for its design, gourmet restaurants, specialty shops and small boutiques, Aalborg makes for a fantastic break at anytime but even more so at Christmas when the streets are aglow with ‘The Festival of Hearts’.
Celebrations begin with Santa Claus sailing in from Greenland at end of November to open the traditional Christmas market in the Old Square. Packed with exquisitely handcrafted ceramics, glassware and jewellery, with many neighbouring galleries opening their ateliers to visitors, its an ideal place to pick up wonderful gifts for your family and friends. Try out local specialties, like æbleskiver and pepper cookies, relax your weary feet in one of the many cafes such as Pennylane with its gourmet supplies or take the vintage train to Gistrup where the scouts of Valdemar Atterdags Trop sell the locals their Christmas trees.
With Danish interior design sporting many highly acclaimed global names such as Georg Jensen and Bang and Olufsen, visitors can get an excellent overview of Denmark’s best designers when Aalborg showcases their work at the annual exhibition of local artist’s Christmas table settings.
Renowned for its local produce, get a real taste for the traditional Danish Christmas and head to Duus Vinkaelder, a restaurant famous for offering a fabulous buffet of Christmas delicacies in the unusual setting under the historical whalewings of Jens Bangs Stenhus which dates back to 1624. For those who like to indulge, don’t miss Mortens Kro. One of Denmark’s finest restaurants, it is managed and owned by Denmark’s celebrity chef, Morten Nielsen, who is famous for serving up gourmet food on and off the television. (mortenskro.dk)
Drinks are also very important and Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Aquavit – the Danes answer to Schnapps. Produced in Aalborg since 1881, go on a guided tour of Danish Distillers and taste all 17 varieties of this clear potent spirit including the special Limited Edition Christmas Schnapps.
For seasoned beer drinkers, head to Søgaards Bryghus – a microbrewery in the oldest and more historic part of the city. Claus Søgaard, a former butcher, was so passionate about the drink that he has developed his own label including a special Christmas brew. Watch the brewing process over dinner before taking a guided tour by the brewmeister himself. (soegaardsbryghus.dk)
With a taste of Denmark to be had on every corner, Aalborg lifts your spirits and takes you right to the heart of the Danish Christmas in an easy weekend break. (visitaalborg.com)
AARHUS
Taking a break in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, step back in time and magically discover the joys of an old fashioned Danish Christmas in the early 1900’s with a visit to 5 star attraction Den Gamle By – The Old Town (dengamleby.dk). The open-air museum, comprising some 75 authentic Danish buildings from all over the country, creates a living history with period costumed staff reenacting a bygone era.
With the streets and houses adorned in Christmas decorations, 16 of the houses showcase 35 special festive exhibitions. In addition, during December, there is a weekend market where you can look out for those extra special gifts whilst enjoying the aromas of freshly baked ginger cakes emanating from Den Gamle By’s bakery and traditional Gloegg (mulled wine) simmering on the neighbouring house’s stoves.
However, Christmas in Aarhus isn’t just confined to Den Gamle By.
With Santa’s much awaited arrival at the end of November, the city literally lights up for midnight shopping with areas such as the ‘Latin Quarter’ offering a maze of small boutique shops selling everything from jewellery, art and fashion to a wide range of interior design items; cafes and restaurants rollout their traditional Christmas delicacies and special menus; and locals chorus together to fill the streets with Christmas song.
In addition to all the Christmas festivities, Aarhus has numerous attractions, ranging from the new ARoS Art Museum (aros.dk) to the Viking displays as Moesgård Museum (moesmus.dk), providing plenty to keep all the members of the family entertained. (visitaarhus.com)
ODENSE
Home to one of the World’s most famous fairytale writers, Odense takes on a distinctly fantastical flavour for Christmas.
Named accordingly, Odense’s ‘Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Fair’ takes place in the old precinct near his house and museum and around the City Museum Møntergården area (hcajulemarkedet.dk). Strolling through these cobbled streets, you’ll run into the well-known figures from Hans Christian Andersen’s work, such as ‘The Little Match Girl’ and ‘The Snow Queen’.
With illuminated trees, Christmas decorations and torches in Lotze’s Garden creating a fairytale atmosphere be transported back in time to the days of this famous writer as child heralds with drummers announce the days festivities. Getting in the Christmas spirit, take a nostalgic ride on the merry-go-round or join the hackney coachman as he drives around the precinct passing joyous Christmas choirs and colourful market stalls.
Having visited the museum, children’s cultural centre and old Spiegeltent in the Square, wander over to the Møntergården. Explore The Funen Museums’ traditional Christmas fair with its exhibitions about the history of celebrating Christmas and experience the Hans Christian Andersen Parade’s special winter performance of song and dance in the gardens.
With stalls dotted throughout the streets selling everything from steaming hot chocolate and delicious snacks to beautifully hand-made Christmas gifts, its an ideal opportunity for all the family to get a taste for the Danish festivities and enjoy a short break away in fairytale surrounds. (visitodense.com)
Getting there
Sterling Airlines has direct daily flights from Gatwick (sterling.com) to Aalborg and Billund airports with easy connections to Aalborg, Aarhus and Odense. Fares start from as little as £12.50 one-way. All cities have a good selection of accommodation and hotels ranging from £80 - £120 per night for a central 3 – 4 star property.
Other deals are also available through Lastminute.com as per the following URLs:
Lastminute.com/aalborg,
Lastminute.com/aarhus
Lastminute.com/odense
More information about Denmark is available on Vistidenmark.com.
