Copenhagen – A cut above the rest

For that special occasion nothing could surpass an exclusive City Break to Copenhagen. If you have a special birthday coming up or think it’s time to treat a special friend, here are some great ideas for you.

For a start, Copenhagen is just around two hours away from UK airports, so you need not spend long of this precious time on board a plane. Although Copenhagen has a new super efficient transport link from Airport to City Centre getting you to the hub of things in just 12 minutes, a taxi ride will get you comfortably to your city destination in around 20 minutes.

Copenhagen is a compact city and easy to discover on foot, but you might want to be sure you are sticking to your exclusive treat and there is no better area, in which to base yourself, that right in the heart of Old Copenhagen just east of Kongens Nytorv, The King’s New Square.

Here you will have the splendid Royal Palace Amalienborg as your Next door neighbour. The streets around Bredgade and Store Kongensgade are lined with Fine Art shops, auction houses and galleries. You will find four excellent hotels in this area too; The Phoenix, just oozing traditional charm, the Admiral aptly named after Lord Nelson’s ‘visit’ to the city and the ultra-cool Front hotel, listed as one of the best designer hotels in Europe. The aptly named Neptune Hotel is equally well located, close to all sights and shops but still in a quiet harbour-side sidestreet. All four are convenient for Nyhavn, the New Harbour (well it was back in the 1670s).

Just off the square you find a labyrinth of cobbled streets crammed with individual boutiques and superb restaurants and bars. After a busy day sightseeing, why not relax with a glass of bubbly in the champagne bar of Skt Petri Hotel. Look out for who you might be sitting next too, as this hotel attracts many famous people from stage and screen.

Looking for a new and very special place for a romantic retreat? Located in the most romantic place in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens, hotel Nimb is not just somewhere to stay but an entire experience. The 13 exquisitely designed rooms exude more a feeling of a home than a hotel. Carefully selected antique furniture, fireplaces and special atmosphere see to that. There are also other fascinating aspects of this outstanding building in the Moorish style; there is a bar, restaurants, vinoteque, delicatessen shop and an in-house dairy and chocolate factory!

Go Christmas shopping like Royalty

Step into a palace of quality, colours and splendours at Amagertorv. Four floors under the same roof offer the best you can ever buy in Denmark. Yes, this is the flagship store of Royal Copenhagen, which has produced high quality porcelain since its first introduction to Europe in the late 18th century. Today traditional crafts are combined with the creative forces of contemporary designers. This is also where you pick up the best of Danish silver designs, in the name of Georg Jensen. Admire the stunning craftsmanship that has remained an international favourite for more than 100 years. And this is not all, Illums Bolighus right next door, gives you the best choice of Danish and International interior design. When it comes to furniture, lamps, glassware and textiles – look no further and bring home vast inspirations on how to create a fabulous home.

From 20 November…oh yes, it is that time of year again…

It is now 45 years since the first time Royal Copenhagen opened its doors to reveal the fabulous Christmas dining tables that have amazed, challenged and inspired thousands of guests. This year the tables are decorated to the sumptuous theme of “Castles and Manors”, where six Danish countesses, barons and baronesses are preparing fabulous, spectacular tables for their Christmas celebrations. See royalcopenhagen.com for more information.

A star-studded capital

The well respected Michelin guide has this year awarded Copenhagen no less than 12 stars, making it a true gourmet capital. Top of the league is Noma, specializing in Nordic specialties and located by the waterfront in the Christianshavn area. A newcomer in the Michelin guide this year is Restaurant Paustian, the luxury furniture house, practically overshadowed by its restaurant. This is where charismatic Bo Bech is at the helm with his blend of classical French gastronomy and his own unique experiments.

Another interesting newcomer to the Michelin Guide this is year is Restaurant Geranium, a totally organic restaurant. It is located in the Kings Gardens close to both Rosenborg Castle and the National Gallery.

The up-and-coming Norrebro area now also boasts a Michelin star in the form of Restaurant MR where head chef Mads Refslund waves modern trends with refined traditional cooking. See restaurantpaustian.dk, restaurantgeranium.dk, and mr-restaurant.dk.

Stay in style

Make it a trip to remember. Take a closer look at these websites for some great visual inspiration on where to stay in true style: avenuehotel.dk, hotel-alexandra.dk, hotelfox.dk, fronthotel.dk, nimb.dk, hotelsktpetri.com , arp-hansen.com.

For all aspects on travelling to Denmark including travel and accommodation, take a look at visitdenmark.com.

Details on Copenhagen and what fabulous things to see and fun things to do leading up to Christmas visitcopenhagen.com.