Denmark

My Denmark travel summary:

Visited: November 2013

Duration of visit: 5 days

Capital city: Copenhagen

Population: 5.6 million (2013)

Denmark travel blog reading time: 5 minutes

• Kids-friendly hotels and restaurants equipped with Lego bricks, toys and boards to entertain children, while adults do their activities.
• Business meeting in Hama factory to commercialize famous Danish Hama beads.
• Nyhavn (New Harbor) – an old dockland transformed into a colorful colony of picturesque boats, houses and restaurants.
• Amalienborg Palace guarded by soldiers of the Royal Guard with bearskins and blue uniforms.
• Constant soft rain with light raindrops that never turns into a real downpour.

The oldest kingdom in Europe has gained its reputation by constant development and focus on quality of life, rather than economic growth at any price. Economic prosperity and strong healthcare support everyday life in this Scandinavian nation. A solid welfare system, social equality, active lifestyles, quality food, and well-managed immigration make it one of the happiest countries in the world.

With a population of just 5.6 million, Danes have won 13 Nobel Prizes, the highest number per capita. They have also produced many internationally recognized writers, painters, sculptors, and craftsmen.

Families and time spent with family are the most important aspects of Danish life.

There were two main reasons why I visited Denmark in 2013:

• I was looking for a business opportunity to start operations in Panama. Hama beads offered an innovative solution for kids, who are eager to learn and grow, obtaining new skills.
• The second reason was to travel with small children to one of the most kids-friendly country in the world.

Both assumptions confirmed to be correct during my Denmark travel adventure.

When travelling with small kids, is not always easy to keep them entertained, busy or active and safe, while adults do their activities. Denmark is one of the best places for kids, offering far more than just children’s menus to make them feel welcome.

High-tech playgrounds, Viking history, outdoor play areas, interactive museums, theme parks, and everything linked to Lego amazed me at every step. Denmark constantly surprised me with small details that made the experience even richer.

I appreciated these amenities even more because November brought very short daylight. The cold weather and early darkness made late afternoon walks less enjoyable.

I noticed the most rewarding small gestures in hotel lobbies, restaurants, and waiting areas, where kids have their own spaces to play and create.

Most of these places are equipped with a specially designed tables, loaded with Lego bricks, toys, crayons and paper.

Hama beads are developed and manufactured in a factory in Nykøbing Mors. High-quality products are fabricated in a rather simple way, but the form how they are applied in practice motivated me to try distribution in Panama. In a formal meeting with an export manager we discussed all the advantages, marketing possibilities and commercial conditions.

All the process in the factory work perfectly. There is no rush, the atmosphere feels relaxed, and employees seem happy and loyal to their companies for decades.

I experienced strong professionalism, excellent support, and clear communication throughout our cooperation. A few years later, I ended the operation because Danish products were too expensive for the Panamanian market.

The capital of Denmark received us with rain, clouds and cold weather. Constant November soft rain with light raindrops that almost float in the air and gently fall, never turned into a real downpour. Covered in raincoats and accompanied with umbrellas, we explored the center of Copenhagen and the main attractions from outside.

From stunning royal palaces and picturesque canals to trendy neighborhoods and some world-class museums, Copenhagen has a lot to offer for being a rather small city with population of 600,000.

Nyhavn is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic places to visit, with colorful renovated houses and restaurants lining the old harbor. Originally, the area served as a busy commercial port where ships from around the world loaded and unloaded goods. Sailors visited pubs and alehouses and sought entertainment with women while staying in the harbor.

Today, tourists and locals have replaced sailors, filling the canal with life. Walking here became one of my favorite things to do, with jazz sounds, cafés, and lively restaurants. Boats remain along the canal, offering tours that explore more of the city by water.

The iconic statue, symbolizing the city, The Little Mermaid, was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale. It talks about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince, on land.

The 1.25 meters tall sculpture is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade. The statue was decapitated on many occasions as well as being poured by paint as a sign of vandalism.

Because of the rain, I found few people around, so we enjoyed this unique landmark almost on our own.

Copenhagen’s largest shopping area centers around Strøget in the heart of the city. It stretches over a kilometer from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv. It features budget chains of clothes stores, designer brands, souvenir shops and more.

Street performers and Lego store called much more the attention of my kids then the Hall Tower or Church of Our Lady. Watching them was one of our favorite things to do.

During my short Denmark travel adventure, I’ve got a chance to see different sides of Danish society: doing business, children friendly community, driving a car between cities and on the countryside and exploring the capital by walking around Copenhagen.

One of the best places to live and happiest countries does not impress at first glance. There is not much splendor, wealth or luxury visible or exhibited. I noticed that true value appears in everyday details and shared moments with those who truly matter.

This bike-loving country, home to the first amusement park and Lego, feels like a dream place for kids to visit or grow up.