Summer in Denmark | July 6-12

6-12 July 2012

SUMMER IN DENMARK

Explore Nørrebro Berlin in Copenhagen Læsø’s island idyll Discover northern Jutland

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Neighbourhood safari | Nørrebro

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Ethnic, eclectic, exciting

By Elise Beacom

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ØRREBRO is Copenhagen’s ‘hood. A web of graffiti-filled streets and alleyways, Nørrebro’s edgy vibe has earned it the affectionate nickname ‘Nørrebronx’, though it’s hardly a ghetto. Rather, it’s a lively cluster of different minority groups that each brings something special to the district. And its rich cultural diversity makes Nørrebro a fascinating area for exploration. Located northwest of the city centre, Nørrebro was originally a working-class neighbourhood. It was the place where immigrants and country-dwellers chose to settle when they first arrived in Copenhagen, seeking fortune and glory. But it is this very history that has made the district one of the most multicultural and vibrant areas of Copenhagen today. When the weather is fine, flea markets spring up out of nowhere and hordes of young people quench their thirsts with a beer or two while sitting along Dronning Louise’s Bridge, which connects Nørrebro to the city centre.

Strolling into the district itself, you will find an eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants, specialty food shops, vintage clothing stores and quirky boutiques. Kiosks and kebab shops dot the city’s main street, Nørrebrogade, while nearby greengrocers sell everything from Jerusalem artichokes to plantains. Wander down the side streets and you will find rustic cafés and trendy take-away joints. Or check out the cool kids doing their best grinds and kick-flips at Nørrebro Skatepark. No matter what day or night of the week, there’s never a dull moment in this bustling and colourful neighbourhood.

Hellerup

Nørrebro Frederiksberg Vesterbro

DO As strange as it might seem to hang out in a cemetery, Assistens Kirkegård is a popular spot for picnickers, groups of friends and those wanting a peaceful place to read. Bring a blanket and get inspired while sitting among the burial places of public figures like Hans Christian Andersen and Niels Bohr.

During the summertime, the streets around Jægersborggade on the edge of the park play host to an extensive flea market where you will find all sorts of trin-kets and treasures. Dronning Louise’s Bridge is another great meeting place when the sun is out. When the weather is fine, young Copenhageners make a beeline for the bridge, which connects Nørrebro to the city centre.

OUR PICK!

Assistens Kirkegård. Enjoy this precious pocket of tranquility in an otherwise hectic neighbourhood.

EAT One of the beauties of Nørrebro is its multiculturalism – no matter what night of the week, you can find a meal from any corner of the globe. The area’s diverse residents have brought with them a wealth of choices when it comes to eating out. There’s delicious Thai food at Kiin Kiin, a Michelin-star offering, or head to Café Bodega for a laid-back Sunday brunch – find both on Kapelvej. If Japanese is the cuisine you crave, Selfish on Elmegade has delectable sushi. The city’s best coffee is made at Coffee Collective on the happening Jægersborggade, where you can also find Relæ – named Copenhagen’s best restaurant of 2011. Oysters & Grill is a sure bet for fine seafood dishes that don’t cost a fortune. Or if you want to eat in, you can pick up some fresh produce at a cute grocery store called Stefanos Grønne Hjørne.

OUR PICK!

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Oysters & Grill. Combines a laid-back attitude with food made from the finest ingredients. The langoustines are a must. (Sjællandsgade 1B)

Østerbro

Christianshavn

AFTER DARK

SHOP The area around down-to-earth Elmegade has an eclectic range of shops catering to different fashion tastes. Acne Archive is a home for second-hand fashion, while Goggle is one of the street favourites for men’s and women’s clothing. Swedish label Velour sells easy-to-wear fashion that is described as “feelgood preppy”. If a pleasant perusal through antique shops is appealing to you, Ravnsborggade is the spot. The street offers stores selling everything from old PH-lamps to unusual bric-a-brac. And when your arms are weighed down with shopping bags, get a lift from a sugar hit – there’s wonderful hand-made caramel at Karamelleriet on Jægersborggade.

OUR PICK!

The square known as Sankt Hans Torv and the streets around it are teeming with bars and restaurants that are perfect for a fun night out, and Nørrebro Bryghus on Ryesgade is a good place to start. The beer served is locally produced – so much so that it is fermenting in the tanks right beside you. Plenum is a popular place among trendy students, and the basement club at Rust on Guldbergsgade is a top dance spot after midnight and doubles as a live-music venue. Keep Drone on Nørrebrogade in mind for cocktails and rock music. The non-profit venue Retro on Jægersborggade is a quirky café by day and an alternative bar by night. But if you’re after a niche bar with super-cool music and a fun mixed crowd, then Kind of Blue on Ravnsborggade is kind of great.

OUR PICK!

Kind of Blue. Good company, a cool atmosphere and great music. (Ravnsborggade 17)

Velour. For the male and female fashionistas who aren’t enslaved by trends. (Elmegade 21)

NEXT WEEK: ØSTERBRO

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Kulturklik.dk – Your click to museums & experiences.

Enjoy summer at Copenhagen area museums.

3 EXHIBITS ALL SUMMER OPEN TILL 10PM TUESDAY—FRIDAY FREE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS EVERY DAY 11AM—5PM 6/30—8/12

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ROkOkO- mania Rococo-mania is an unconventional museum experience that explores rococo as a phenomenon of the past as well as the present.

NikoliNe liv ANderseN “The dANce of The deAf ANd dumb eye” PhoTo: Nicky de silvA

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CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN IN DIALOGUE WITH CRAFTS FROM THE 1700’S

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VISIT DANISH PALACES AND GARDENS

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Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Your click to Copenhagen-area museums & experiences

where I experience art

Photo: Simon Bøcker Mørch

Europe in Copenhagen ...

My museum

Helle Fragild, 36, actress, Royal Theatre

Feeling cooped up in Copenhagen? If you’ve got a touch of wanderlust but can’t get out of the city, why not make a grand tour of Europe in your hometown? There are plenty of places where you can experience the best of some of Europe’s great metropolises. This summer, we’ll take you to Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome and Paris – without ever leaving the Copenhagen area. First stop: Berlin

By Julie W. Tovgaard

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F YOU’VE ever had to stifle an urge to hop on the next bus to Berlin, you’ll like what we’ve got to tell you. Copenhagen offers a number of areas that provide a taste of life in the German capital.

Hankering for a stroll Unter der Linden? Head towards Frederiksberg Allé. Berlin’s boulevard was the site of military parades and triumphal marches during Germany’s imperial period. Not to be outdone, the thoroughfare in Frederiksberg was once the private road of the royal family. Frederiksberg Allé ends at the gardens of Frederiksberg Have, where the Copenhagen Zoo is also located. You might have to stretch your imagination a little, but it’s almost like being in Tiergarten.

Next, stop by Berlin Bar at Gl. Kongevej 147 where you can get an authentic German beer on draught. If you’re into German art and history, head to the National Gallery, which is currently showing an exhibit of German paintings from 1890 to 1930. The exhibit, ‘German World Images’, explores the rise of modernism and the way artists dealt with issues of national identity. While Berlin is renowned for its modern art scene, Copenhagen holds its own. Experience the best of contemporary work at the city’s five art halls: Nikolaj Kuntshal, Charlottenborg, Kunstforening GL STRAND, Overgaden and Den Frie Ud-

stillingsbygning. Until Aug 5, Nikolaj is showing ‘Afgang 2012’, an exhibit of works produced by young contemporary artists.

The history of the Jews is told in Berlin through museums and monuments. In Copenhagen, the Danish Jewish Museum offers visitors a glimpse of life from the point of view of a minority. Instead of being a memorial to those lost during the Holocaust, the Danish Jewish Museum is a testament to living Jewish culture. The museum’s design is based on the letters of the Hebrew word ‘mitzvah’, or ‘worthy deed’. The design was created by architect Daniel Libeskind as a way to capture the defining traits of Denmark’s Jews and their culture. In Berlin, that city’s Musuemsinsel has earned Unesco recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Copenhagen’s own island of history, Slotsholmen (above), is also packed with museums – in addition to the Danish Jewish Museum (below), there is the Black Diamond, the National Armoury, Thorvaldsen and the house of parliament. And looking for the proper way to end your … tour of Berlin? Try walking up to one of the local hotdog carts and asking for “ein frankfurter, bitte”.

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Growing up in Helsingør, it was natural for us to visit the Louisiana museum of modern art frequently.

When I was 14, I found myself getting into surrealism, and around that time Louisiana was showing Dali.

I can remember going and the enormous impression his film ‘Andalusian Dog’ had on me. Louisiana’s location between sea and forest means that when you’re there, nature plays a big role in how you experience the art. The last time I was there, I went with my mother and my son. We mostly stuck to the children’s area and played with Legos – that’s one of the nice things about Louisiana – it’s pretty kid-friendly.

“I once saw a play at Glyptoteket that required the audience to walk from room to room and experience the performance standing among the statues and other works of art. Allowing art to help tell stories that bring you to different places and times gives you the feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself. The museum’s palm garden is an oasis. Whenever I’ve been there, I always feel more vibrant and purposeful. Another great thing about Glyptoteket is their cake.

“A few years back, I was on tour in Jutland with the Royal Theatre. We were in the little town of Vejen, the hometown of another actress in the company. She suggested that we visit the local Vejen Museum. At first, I was a little sceptical, but their collection blew me away.

It turned out that the visit there was just what we needed after being on the road for so long. Art in Denmark isn’t confined to the big cities.”

By: Fie Krøyer Dahl

Just like the real thing – only different.

FRENCH MASTERPIECES

Danish Jewish Museum

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Dantes plads 7 • 1556 Copenhagen • www.glyptoteket.com

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Your click to Copenhagen-area museums & experiences

For Families

Events •

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: MYTHICAL ANIMALS AND FANTASTIC CREATURES Bring the animals of your imagination to life at the children’s art workshops held at the National Gallery. Plaster and clay will be the focus media, but paint and pencils will also be available.

WHO ARE THE DANES – FROM ABSOLUTE MONARCHS TO THE MODERN WELFARE STATE

The Children’s Workshop is open Tue-Sun, 10:30-16:30.

National Gallery, Sølvgade 48-50, Copenhagen K; smk.dk

What is a Dane, and which historical events have formed Danish culture over the last 350 years? Take a guided tour through the permanent exhibition, ‘Stories of Denmark 16602000’. Sign up at the Information Desk to attend.

CIRCUS WORKSHOP FOR THE FAMILY Try your hand at juggling or hang from a trapeze under the watchful eye of a professional circus performer. There will be plenty of activities and lots of laughs at the Circus Museum’s family workshop on:

Guided on Tue Jul 3 at 11:00.

National Museum Ny Vestergade 10, Copenhagen K natmus.dk

CREEPY CRAWLY You may not normally get the willies, but then again, you’ve never seen a dust mite or a flea blown up larger than life! The Creepy Crawly exhibit introduces you to all the life you never notice, even though it’s all around you, on you – and even in you. The exhibit is a hive of surprises about things from your everyday life. Focus on the familiar, but learn something new.

Sun Jul 8, 11:00-12:30.

Circus Museum, Hovedporten 6, Hvidovre cirkusmuseum.dk

Experimentarium, Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup experimentarium.dk

Exhibitions •

A GARDEN OF EATING AT ESRUM ABBEY Join Esrum Abbey and the adjacent Møllegaard farm as they put a summery touch on traditional Danish cooking.

Enjoy food cooked over an open fire and a glass of white wine while you relax under the apple trees. Meals are made outdoors and eaten at communal tables.

Thur Jul 5, gates open at 18:00, food served at 18:30.

Reserve a seat online.

Esrum Abbey & Møllegaard Klostergade 11, Græsted esrum.dk

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GUIDED TOURS AT THE DANISH JEWISH MUSEUM Get the inside story about Daniel Libeskind’s design for the museum which presents 400 years of Jewish history in Denmark. The tour offers highlights from the museum’s permanent collection, titled ‘Space and Spaciousness’.

Tours available Wed Jul 4, Fri Jul 6 and Sun Jul 8, at 14:00.

Danish Jewish Museum Proviantspassagen 6, Copenhagen K jewmus.dk

Furniture for the senses – Finn Juhl 100 Design Museum Denmark marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of furniture designer Finn Juhl with this exhibition that provides a detailed look at Juhl’s sculptural masterpieces. The exhibit also displays his watercolours and sketches of his furniture.

Design Museum Denmark Bredgade 68 Copenhagen K designmuseum.dk

TRASH! The Museum of Copenhagen’s exhibit ‘TRASH!’ incorporates trash and various objects recycled from the city’s rubbish bins, attics and other hideaways. The exhibit also includes historical films, photographs, games and other remarkable items that tell the story of what happens to things after we throw them away.

Museum of Copenhagen Vesterbrogade 59 Copenhagen V copenhagen.dk

stallations, video, paintings, sculptures, sketches, audio, performances and textiles.

Nikolaj Kunsthal Nikolaj Plads 10 Copenhagen K nikolajkunsthal.dk

show how Kirkeby’s characteristic style and choices of subject are formed by his experiences in Greenland.

Ordrupgaard, Vilvordevej 110 Charlottenlund ordrupgaard.dk

Afgang 2012 Meet the next generation of contemporary artists when art gallery Nikolaj Kuntshal holds its second annual ‘Afgang’ exhibit. Find out what up-and-coming artists are turning their attention towards. Art forms include in-

Per Kirkeby and Greenland Greenland has been a part of Per Kirkeby’s life for more than half a century, and the Ordrupgaard gallery’s exhibit, ‘Per Kirkeby & the Secret Reservoir’ uses sketches, etchings, watercolors, paintings and sculptures to

The Art of War This exhibit presents two young artists’ impressions of what life is like for Danish soldiers in Afghanistan and Libya. Mathilde Fenger’s visit to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in 2010 served as the inspiration for her 25 paintings depicting soldiers’ daily lives. Simone Aaberg Kærn’s 20 pastel drawings portray the Danish military’s involvement in Afghanistan and Libya.

Museum of National History Frederiksborg Castle Hillerød frederiksborgslot.dk

The

Circus Museum p ly ho Ju ks n or y i W d a 30 us n 2. rc Su -1 Ci ery 11 Ev

ON LOAN

www cirkusmuseum.dk .

Hovedporten 6 ● Hvidovre ● Sun-Thursday 11-15

Masterpieces from Skagens Museum

4 May - 3 September 2012 SCULPTURE • ARCHITECTUR • PAINTINGS BERTEL THORVALDSENS PLADS 2, COPENHAGEN K OPEN TUESDAY-SUNDAY 10-17 WWW.THORVALDSENSMUSEUM.DK

www.hirschsprung.dk

Open daily 11 AM - 5 PM Closed Mondays

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Island Hopping | Læsø

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Getting to grips with island idyll At times, Læsø feels like the island that time forgot. The island’s residents are more than happy to keep it that way

By Jason Heppenstall

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ÆSØ is a small island off the east coast of Jutland’s northern peninsula and possibly the only place in the world that boasts being self-sufficient in cucumbers.

There are long ones, short ones, knobbly ones and ones that don’t look like cucumbers at all but rather strange sea creatures dredged up from the deep. Fields of them stretch to the horizon, and cucumber-laden tractors lumber along the narrow roads. It is fair to say that Læsø is probably selfsufficient in gherkins, too.

But we hadn’t come to Læsø to admire its agricultural exports; we had come for a holiday. To get there, we had driven all the way from Copenhagen to Frederikshavn, which is almost the longest journey you can make in Denmark and a real test for our two young daughters at the back of the car.

We arrived just in time to get on the evening ferry. Onboard, we could already see Læsø out there in the distance, lying flat and shimmering silver in the late-spring light. In the cafeteria, a group of boisterous teens, still brimming with exuberant energy from spending the day in the relative metropolis of Frederikshavn, grew quieter and more reserved as the ship approached their home island.

By the time we arrived, it was getting dark. We had a bit of trouble finding the holiday home we had booked, despite it being less than 1 kilometre from the port. When we finally found the house, it was right by the island’s main road. But we needn’t have worried about noise from traffic – we soon discovered that, at most, this amounted to about one vehicle every ten minutes.

Like most holiday homes in Denmark, this was a wooden building set in about half an acre of lawn with a few pine trees dotted about. Inside, it was nicely cosy and warm – despite it being May, there was still quite a chill blowing in off the Baltic Sea. When we turned on the TV, it received

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a stronger signal for the Swedish channels than the Danish ones, which was perhaps unsurprising when you consider that Læsø isn’t all that far from the Swedish coast.

Læsø Situated in the Kattegat off the east coast of northern Jutland, Læsø is a small island famed for the purity of its

It wasn’t until the next morning – when we ventured out to explore the island – that I began to fall for Læsø’s understated charms. First, we visited the island’s largest village, Byrum (pop. 443), which boasts a supermarket, a church and a café or two. It’s a neat little place, and the only traffic seemed to consist of other holidaymakers stocking up on barbecue supplies and the local beer. The weather was bright and sunny, and it was one of those typically Danish days when the sky and the sea seem impossibly blue and the clarity of the light makes everything seem like a Technicolor film.

Circumnavigating Læsø is not exactly difficult. With a total land size of 18 sq km, it’s very easy to get to grips with the island’s idyllic rural charm. Cucumbers aside, what the island is most known for is its salt. Chefs swear by it, and there is almost no limit to what people are prepared to pay for the stuff.

It is harvested from the southern part of the island, which is comprised of salt flats and marshes; in medieval times, when packing food in salt was the only way to preserve it, its export was the mainstay of the island’s economy. To keep up with the demand, islanders built huge cauldrons which they filled with sea water and lit fires underneath them.

salt, the freshness of its seafood and the peculiar style of its cottages. It is easily reachable, with ferries departing several times a day, and there are plenty of accommodation options, ranging from campsites and B&Bs to holiday homes and hotels. What’s more, this is the perfect place to have a family holiday, with lots of open space and fresh air, so the kids can run around and use up their energy. If you like sunning yourself on almost empty beaches and dining out on fresh lobster, take a side trip to Læsø and discover what it means to relax – Danish style.

Læsø

It wasn’t too long before the booming salt trade left every tree on the island felled for firewood, creating a denuded and empty landscape. The salt trade crashed and, in short order, people began to starve. There’s a moral in this tale somewhere.

We had planned to spend a week on the island, and it was a very pleasant week indeed. Most days, we strolled along the northern coastline, the kids excitedly collecting bits of amber from the deserted beaches. The scenery, although it cannot be described as dramatic, is wild moorland filled with

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NEXT WEEK: SAMSØ

Island Hopping | Læsø

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

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birds and butterflies. There are sand dunes to play hide-and-seek in and little woods filled with quaint cottages straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

Do

Speaking of cottages, one thing that will immediately strike you about Læsø is the local building style. Forget thatched cottages – Læsø builders cover their houses with a material far more readily available and in plentiful supply: seaweed.

The practice of piling layer upon layer of eel grass gives the island’s cottages a unique vernacular style that is quite unlike anywhere else in the country. They grow like bulky, misshapen thatches, hanging down in uneven globs and appearing distorted and swollen and startlingly unlike the neat symmetry of cottages in other parts of the country.

example at På Lynget in the middle of the island. If you’re interested in sailing

As our guidebook stated: “Læsø is not a place to head for if you’re seeking roaring night life and cultural stimulation” – and luckily, we weren’t. Instead, we spent the days cycling around the island, playing Frisbee in the garden and barbecuing fish bought straight from the fishermen’s shop down at the harbour.

We visited a farm where our daughters could pet the rabbits and piglets, went horseback riding along a beach and spoke to a few of the islanders – including some former city-slickers who had made this little piece of paradise in the Kattegat their home.

It’s easy to see why Danes love to escape to Læsø, and equally as easy to see why they want to keep quiet about it. When I spoke to the lady at the tourist-information office, she seemed a bit taken aback that a foreigner would be visiting. Her quizzical look said it all as she asked, “Where did you hear about our island?”

Yes, Læsø is slightly off the beaten track, but that doesn’t make it any less worth visiting, and my whole family enjoyed our week there. Make the trip yourself and experience Denmark at its most tranquil.

Getting there Ferries go to Læsø from Frederikshavn in northern Jutland and make several crossings per day. It takes around 90 minutes to cross – for more details see laesoe-line.dk.

If you’re interested in seeing the old-style seaweed houses of Læsø, a visit to Hedvig’s House is a must (go to laesoe-museum.dk for details). There is also another trips, the Seadog makes daily excursions (seadog.dk). For pony and horseback riding, check out Krobækgaard (rideferie.dk).

OUR PICK!

Læsø Saltworks: Take a step back in time and visit the island’s golden age of salt production. Watch as the workers build fires beneath the bubbling salt pans, and come away with some of the prized white stuff yourself (saltsyderiet.dk).

Stay

Eat

Restaurants are a bit thin around the island, but some good ones Hotel accommodation on Læsø is limited, but there are plenty of B&B options as well as camping and holiday homes. One such B&B is Østergård, a lovely thatched house in a beautiful location (oeg.dk). If you’d prefer to camp out, head to Læsø Camping, which also offers cabins (laesoe-camping.dk). To rent a summer house on the island, have a look on ferieservice.dk.

can be found. Bakken, in the capital Byrum, offers traditional

Camping. If you want to get really close to nature, you should consider staying at one of the island’s two campsites.

also features gourmet cooking by Keld Johnsen, chef at

OUR PICK!

fare in a ‘hyggelig’ setting (restaurant-bakken.dk). Another good place – and probably the main restaurant on the island – is the Strandgaarden Badehotel, which occupies an historic building in a lovely setting (hotel-strandgaarden.dk).

OUR PICK!

Læsø Crawfish Festival. Fresh langoustine is a Læsø specialty, and this festival will allow you to see local fishermen compete to win the Golden Claw. The festival the US embassy. Held at Restaurant Havnecafeen in Østerby on Aug 4 (jomfruhummerfestival.dk).

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Discover northern Jutland Photo: Bent Næsby

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Denmark’s vacationland Looked down upon by city-slickers back east for its slow-lane image, northern Jutland is just the place for anyone looking to get away for a week or a day

By Desirae Rasmussen

K

nown as ‘the land of light’ because it has more daylight hours than anywhere else in Denmark, the northern Jutland region has something to offer everyone, young or old. What separates northern Jutland from many other areas of Denmark is its natural beauty. The west coast is home to Denmark’s first national park, Nationalpark Thy, which covers a total of 244 sq km. Further to the north is Denmark’s large sand dune, Rubjerg Knude, and at the country’s northernmost point, Grenen, you can stand in both the Skagerrak and Kattegat seas at the same time. Looking to make use of all that light? Northern Jutland is awash in great sunbathing beaches, which can be found all along the region’s coastline. Whether you travel to the west or to the east, you will find a great place to swim. All this nature also provides plenty of opportunities for those who are interested in an active holiday – biking, hiking, horseback riding and even hang-gliding, you’ll find something here to cater to your sense of adventure.

But that isn’t all that northern Jutland has to offer: the region is also rich in art and culture. The town of Skagen has been inspiring artists since the early 20th century. The university city of Aalborg offers many art museums and installations.

The region also has strong American roots, and you will find many places named after American culture plus real American-style restaurants. The area also boasts the world’s largest Independence Day celebrations outside the US. Northern Jutland is also kid-friendly, with a large variety of attractions that cater to children. Get your thrills at the amusement park Fårup Sommerland. Go to the Aalborg Zoo and watch the polar bears romp. Or head to one of the region’s many museums, and learn how to make salt the oldfashioned way or follow in the footsteps of the Vikings.

There’s even something for young adults in northern Jutland.

As a university town, Aalborg is always bustling. Check out the popular street Jomfru Ane Gade, where all the best bars and nightclubs are located. At the harbour, there is a swimming area and a park that are just right for lounging with friends as you enjoy a beer. Day or night, Aalborg is active.

Northern Jutland Looking to go someplace that will please everyone in the family? From fulfilling Dad’s sense of adventure to Mom’s need for relaxation and the kids’ need to play, northern Jutland is sure to have something for everyone. The region boasts numerous natural areas, including Denmark’s first national park. And when you’re looking to get back to civilisation, Aalborg, the country’s fourth largest city, has everything you could want, including zoos, shopping centres, restaurants and clubs. Looking for great beaches? The region is literally surrounded by them. Northern Jutland is also the gateway to Norway, and the fast ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand makes a day trip possible. Looking for some history? The area is known for the large Viking graveyard in Lindholm Høje and the Franciscan Friary Museum, which is found under the walking streets of Aalborg. No matter what kind of holiday experience your family needs, northern Jutland can provide it.

Northern Jutland

But maybe you want to get away from it all. With seven health spas bearing the Wellness Danmark seal of approval, northern Jutland is the destination of choice for those who are looking for a little pampering. There are also a number of small towns where you can rent a summerhouse, kick back, enjoy the smell of the sea and just relax.

Whatever type of holiday you’re looking for, you can very likely find it in northern Jutland.

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NEXT WEEK: CENTRAL JUTLAND

Discover northern Jutland

Summer in Denmark: 6-12 July 2012

Do Northern Jutland offers numerous options for an active holiday. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or barely off training wheels, the Mors Tourist Bureau has cycling tours to suit any ability level, and many are organised with families in mind. Some also give the option to either rough it (stay at campgrounds) or take it easy (stay in a hotel). Looking for something for the whole family to do? Head to the town of Nykøbing and visit Jesperhus, northern Europe’s largest flower park. If you’re not into flowers, there are plenty of other places to visit, including a jungle zoo and a 4D cinema. And don’t forget Fårup Sommerland, an amusement park in a forest that also claims to be Denmark’s best camping area.

Our pick!

Mors Rundt. This five-day cycling tour is an easy-going, family-friendly route around the island of Mors. It provides a great opportunity to mix relaxation with an active holiday. Visit visitmors.dk to book.

Stay

Eat

With the region’s endless beaches, it is easy to find a summerhouse rental or campsites where you can stay. The towns of Blokhus, Løkken, Lønstrup and Tversted are all great options on the west coast. In the east, be sure to check out the towns of Hals and Aså. When visiting Aalborg, consider Cabinn and Helnan Phønix Hotel Aalborg.

Those looking for a one-stop holiday should consider Feriecenter Øster Hurup. Close to the beach and featuring activities for the kids – including an indoor waterpark should the weather decide not to cooperate – it is an ideal place to settle down for a week.

Like the area itself, the regional

Our pick!

Rent a summerhouse in Hals. Besides the great beaches, the town itself is an experience with its charming market square and harbourfront.

gastronomy has a lot to offer. With so much water everywhere, it makes sense that northern Jutland is known for its seafood. From fresh fish and Limfjord oysters to pink lobster, many of the region’s restaurants take advantage of the ocean’s bounty and offer fresh meals made with creatures caught nearby. Head out to the town of Løgstør and visit Restaurant Kanalfogedes Køkken to try the oysters.

Looking for a hip and trendy place to eat? Visit Aalborg’s youthful downtown area, which has numerous cafés, such as Ulla Terkelsen, London – named after Denmark’s most indefatigable foreign correspondent. Want a more American dining experience? Head up to the town of Sæby and check out Highway 69, an American-Italian inspired restaurant serving up ribs, steaks, burgers and more.

Ulla Terkelsen, London. The café atmosphere is great, the

Our pick!

seating is comfortable and the portion sizes are great for the price. Dessert here is also a must (facebook.com/CafeUlla).

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Efficiency Danish in day and evening classes

A Danish course at IA Sprog offers: • • • • •

Focus on oral as well as written skills Professional teachers Classroom, workshop and IT-based tuition Online practice Canteen facilities

Learn Danish quickly and efficiently with IA Sprog Contact: 3888 3233

IA SPROG

Hejrevej 26, 2nd floor 2400 Copenhagen NV Phone: 3888 3233 Mail: info@iasprog.dk web: www.iasprog.dk