Christmas in Denmark

Denmark often tops the polls of the world’s happiest countries and its capital tends to put a smile on the faces of all who visit. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character, its compact centre a maze of cobbled streets easily navigated by foot or on the Danes’ favourite mode of transport, the bicycle. Originally a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen has evolved into one of Europe’s most sophisticated cities. Spread across the two islands of Zealand and Amager and separated from Sweden by the Øresund Bridge, it is a city of contrasts, seamlessly blending classic architecture with cutting edge modern design.

Your guide will take you on a tour of the oldest parts of Copenhagen, dating back to the year 1160. You will walk around the inner parts of the city and slowly work your way up through the centuries. First stop will be the King’s Garden, one of the world's first public parks. Next stop will be the Rosenborg Castle, which was built as a private, romantic getaway for the Danish king, Christian IV. Today it is a museum and home to the Danish crown jewels. Finally you will make your way to the Round Tower, the world's oldest still-functioning observatory. The tower offers a great view of the medieval centre of Copenhagen.

Break away from the old town and the traditional sights of the city, as you head to the quarter of Nørrebro, a diverse and multicultural area with lots of life and green spaces. The tour will begin at Dronning Louises Bro, a bridge that connects the inner city and Nørrebro. Thousands of pedestrians and cyclist cross this bridge daily, making it one of the busiest bike lanes in the world. From here you'll move on to the Assistens Cemetery. Though a cemetery, its aesthetic nature and peaceful atmosphere have made it a popular spot for locals. Here lie many of the most famous Danes in history, like writer Hans Christian Anderson and philosopher Søren Kirkegaard. Afterwards, you will continue to Jægersborggade, a lively street, that's filled with independent design shops, vintage boutiques and small restaurants and cafés. Stop for the traditional Danish hygge beer at Mikkeller & Friends, situated at Stefansgade.

You’ll learn the essential skills to create traditional Danish rye bread, perfect sourdough buns and delicious Danish pastries. In this hands-on class, you’ll be taught the techniques for mixing, kneading, proving and shaping the different types of dough. By the end of class, you’ll be equipped with a new set of baking skills and be able to recreate a taste of Denmark back home. Once the baking is finished, you’ll get to reap your reward and enjoy a true Danish breakfast with all freshly baked goodies and tasty toppings served with fresh-pressed juice, tea, coffee and, of course, a schnapps, just like a true Dane.

One of the oldest amusement parks in the world and only the second most popular, Tivoli is a true Copenhagen trademark. Beyond the many fun rides, the park also houses a beautiful pleasure garden and numerous great restaurants and cafés. A visit to Tivoli is always a good idea for an evening out in Copenhagen - for people of all ages.

Denmark's second city, Aarhus is located on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. While often overlooked for the capital, the coastal city has gradually been gaining attention with restaurants here being awarded the first Michelin stars in Denmark outside Copenhagen, a regenerated waterfront, and excellent art galleries.

Aarhus' Old Town consist of 75 historical houses from all over Denmark. They shape the contours of a Danish town as it might have looked in Hans Christian Andersen's days, with streets, shops, yards, homes and workshops, and during winter time the town is true Danish hygge. A guide will meet you at the entrance and take you around the town and to the traditional Christmas market. Finish the day with a traditional hot Christmas drink in a historic setting before enjoying some time to experience the city on your own.

The breathtaking ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is one of the biggest art museums in Northern Europe and hard to miss, due to trademarks like Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Your Rainbow Panorama’ and Ron Mueck’s ‘Boy’. This ambitious museum aims at always upping its game as an internationally acclaimed museum with blockbuster exhibitions.

Marselisborg Castle is one of the Queen’s beloved, private residences. Here you can walk around in the beautiful gardens surrounding the castle and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Ridehuset is Aarhus' centrally located multi-purpose hall. It houses a variety of events from concerts and parties to exhibitions and fairs. Every Christmas, Ridehuset houses a delightful market, where independent designers and small shops sell their homemade Christmas items. You will have time to look around, and if you feel like it, you can try the traditional Danish Christmas snack, æbleskiver.

A stay at Dragsholm Castle is the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge. The surrounding countryside has been designated a Geopark by UNESCO, the only one of its kind in Denmark. Guests can go mountain biking or walking through the surrounds or relax at the castle with a yoga class or a stroll through the herb garden. There are also board games and a billiards table for those with a competative side.

You will be meet by the castle's local nature guide, who will take you on a walk through the beautiful surroundings, and tell you about the wild, edible produce found during the winter season such as herbs, winter plants and mushrooms.