Renewable energy, awareness about nature and preservation of natural resources are just some of the things that are executed according to plan here and the results are very positive. Copenhagen was proclaimed, according to the poll conducted by the world’s famous Monocle magazine, the city with the best life quality in the world.
In the Kingdom of Denmark, the main capital of Copenhagen is viewed as an individual kingdom. Thought by many as a bicycle heaven and home of the famous Danish pastry. As you stroll down the streets of Copenhagen, you can see people everywhere around you passing by driving bicycles. More than one third of the city’s population use bicycles as their primary way of transport. Specific lanes have been made only for cyclist with special kinds of traffic lights installed only for those kinds of lanes. This type of transport has been very well received among the people of the city and many see it as a major part of their lives, which helps the conditioning of the people and also adds to the awareness of the environment, because it reduces road congestion.
This infrastructure has been financed by the city which has allowed a substantial budget for building and maintenance of these kinds of bike lanes. But it doesn’t end there. According to some estimation, by the year 2015 the number of people using bicycles as their primary way of travel will rise even more. This will also influence people who only see bikes as a means of recreation and not a major mode of transport. The use of public transport and tube stations, which is one of the best in the world according to some surveys, has substantially increased among these types of people.
For most people, the day starts with some Danish pastry. Almost anybody, even without any culinary training, can recognize the quality hidden behind every bite and taste. The story goes that this delicious specialty made out of some chopped hazelnuts, raisins, covered with melted sugar, filled with various kinds of jams and creams has been discovered by mistake. During the baker’s strike of 1850, the owners appointed foreigners to work in their bakeries. People of Denmark have been astounded by the pastry made by chefs coming from Austria. This prompted the local bakers to give it all they got and come up with a better way of making pastry. By adding eggs and butter and by perfecting their trade they have managed to come up with a more better and tastier pastry which later became the Danish pastry that we have now in the present.
Mornings in Copenhagen are the best, because when the fresh aroma coming out of the various ovens of the many restaurants, bakeries or cafeterias it makes the city smell like you are in Heaven. Even if you are not a fan of this popular pastry you will immediately realize where you are. And the best thing is that you cannot miss, because anywhere is good in Copenhagen if you want to try out this pastry. It simply goes with everything, coffee, cappuccino, and even with the cold weather which is quite common here. It simultaneously warms your palates and your hands and light up your mood as well.
After all of this it is much easier to let yourself go and enjoy the magic this fairy tale city, situated on the coast of Zealand with a great view on Malmö, can provide. One of the more greater wonders of the world and a real fit of human engineering is the bridge which brings these sides together. The bridge of Oresund weighs 82.000 tons and stretches 7.845 meters. And with the height of its poles of around 204 meters, makes it the longest rail bridge on the continent. In the middle of the bay, the bridge is submerged until it ascends in Denmark.
The main reason for building the bridge is because of the Kastrup airport. Although it has been opened more than ten years ago it still looks impressive even for those who make regular trips across every day. Visitors arriving by plane immediately get hooked when they see this tiny strip of restless water beneath them which is the first wonder they see upon arrival.
And the wonders just keep piling up. The Rosenborg castle, the palaces of Amalienborg and Christiansborg with their luxury and medieval style of architecture give a trademark signature which all the major European capitals have. Once they were the residents of kings and have been built out of the finest materials and crafted by the most gifted architects and artists. And all with a goal to amaze, endure and surpass time. And you can see that by the careful and detailed ornaments. When you enter the palace, you do so with awe because the ancestors have always something to offer. Sometime maybe a Hamletian question “to be or not to be…”
The natural harbor has greatly brought to the development of Copenhagen and greatly changed to course of history. From a small fisherman’s village it grew into the biggest trading center of the region and added to its development. Today, this very same harbor does the same because the enormous wind-generators are situated here. They seem like the enormous monoliths and guardians of the place. And guardians they are, more accurately, the guardians of ecological balance because they account for the 60% of the total supply of energy to Copenhagen.
And among all those achievements, beauties and landmarks the people of Copenhagen are most proud are one of Andersen’s tales and one monument, the Little Mermaid. She has traveled the world via postcards and pictures and yet she has never moved an inch the day Karl Jacobsen built it. The legend foretells that after 300 years of its making the statue will come alive, her fish tale will change into legs and she will walk off into the arms of her love making the symbol of the city once again a symbol of love.
When you come to the city you should rent a bicycle. With a bike you’ll meet Copenhagen on the best way. Also you’ll feel like a local. Another way to experience Copenhagen and to meet local people better is to stay in a private room instead of hotel. Many websites like this one will help you to find a perfect private accommodation. It’s much better idea to live a few days with other real citizens of Copenhagen, than to spend time in a hotel. Enjoy your time in Copenhagen and let us know what do you like the most about it!
