The Scandinavian countries had been on my list of places to see and explore for quite some time, and lucky for me I found some enthusiastic participants to come along. My cousins and I managed to coordinate our somewhat opposing schedules so that we had 10 days to skip out on work (i.e. actually still working, but from laptops and iPhones at various coffee shops and apartments).
We decided two countries was in our cards and chose Denmark and Sweden, and as soon as we left the airport (we started out in Copenhagen), the stereotypes were in full force: clean architectural lines mixed with old european details, a bunch of lookalikes - light coloured hair, tall, lean build and fashionable without taking too many risks, and pastry shops and furniture design houses in every direction.

Accommodations

In a city like Copenhagen where almost everyone has a decent flair for clean and comfortable home design, Air Bnb is a good bet. We got ourselves a really nice, well lit and large apartment around the corner from one of the main squares and in some cities that would be considered a rare gem, but I have a feeling that this type of accommodation is relatively common in Copenhagen. I’m more of a hotel gal because I like the fancy amenities that come with, but in this case it felt like the best way to go. Thank you Air Bnb!

Denmark Highlights

Other than the obvious must sees like the Nyhavn area and clothes and home decor shopping, here’s a list of some tips, highlights, places and things to do while visiting Denmark:

Make sure to check the days of operation for Louisiana Modern Museum! We made the rookie mistake of assuming it was open 7 days a week, borrowed a friends car, drove for an hour, only to have arrived to a closed sign. From what I hear, it’s worth going so do your research before hand. Closed on Mondays! Oops! #travelTrials&Tribulations

Although we didn’t make it to the museum, we found a charming little coffee shop called Karisma in the little town of Hulmbaek, which is a nice option for lunch once you’re out that way. We also ran into this castle, which if you’re into castles, is a good place to visit on the same day you do the Modern Museum.

Café Norden is THE spot for a large delicious latte and a tasty meal or sweet treat. You go up to the bar to order and pay, and then they serve you wherever you sit, which is kind of nice because it allows you to up and run whenever you're ready but is also a great place for long lingering brunches/lunches.
The Fish Market is a great place for dinner, a little on the fancier side with good ambiance and fresh fish and oysters.

Kiin Kiin takes dining to a whole different level (so much so that I’ll be posting a separate blog strictly on this michelin starred thai fusion restaurant).

Copenhagen Street Food is a new concept warehouse full of food trucks, with spots to eat both indoors and outdoors overlooking the river. It’s a good place to catch a casual dinner after strolling through the well known law-less town of Christiana.

Lidkoeb is a fun bar with specialty cocktails and an atmosphere that plays with both a modern and 70’s vintage feel. Grab a stool at the bar, a booth with some friends, or steal a spot outside under the lights if the weather is right.

Fugu cocktail bar was a hit amongst the whole group. It has a good indoor and outdoor space, a fun mix of hip hop, rock n roll and dance, and also a good selection of specialty cocktails in addition to regular common drinks you’d find at any old bar.

And lastly, if you're looking for some late night eats, the McDonald's in Denmark have a couple of menu items that you don't see in north america, for example Chilli Cheese Poppers - probably not something you want to put in your regular rotation, but a must try after a few stops to the bar!

Thanks Denmark! Up next, Sweden!