Day 31 Hot Spots

To be honest Copenhagen was not on our original list of places to visit in Europe. However when we realised that Peter (our son) would be in Kiel, in the very north of Germany, and that he could get a couple of days off, we checked the map to see where we could take him, and Copenhagen seemed the obvious choice. Copenhagen has become a city that has really charmed us with its beauty and diversity.

Denmark has several things that you really have to admire. With 20% of its electricity coming from wind power (you see wind farms everywhere), with huge numbers of its city dwellers riding pushbikes and with no plastic bags available in supermarkets (unless you buy one), Copenhagen is a ‘greeny’ paradise.
In near perfect, sunny weather we were able to experience the beauty of the city at close quarters. Of course a city built around a labyrinth of canals has a certain charm. But what we really loved was the thoughtful way in which Copenhagen has been able to mesh the past with the present. Alongside some magnificent old buildings, Copenhagen has also invested in some wonderful, modern public buildings for the benefit of its citizens and visitors.

One new building that we loved is built beside the largest canal. It is the new Royal Opera House, it is not in the same league as another Danish designed Opera House in Sydney, but it is still quite magnificent. On the other side of town just up the road from where we were staying we stumbled upon another outstanding building known as The Black Diamond. This modern building made of black marble houses a huge public library and various cultural centres. Copenhagen has many wonderful old buildings but to see a city investing in beautiful, functional modern buildings was also most impressive. With a free WiFi zone both inside and outside of the library and a great café, the young flock to it as a place to learn, eat and just enjoy the sun. Denmark’s rich Nordic and Viking history was evident in many places throughout Copenhagen but we were thrilled to visit a city that is as committed to the future, as it is to the past.