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Copenhagen is seeped in old-world charm. Its castles, palaces, museums,
DON’T just fall in love with Copenhagen. Just fall in love in Copenhagen", goes the catch line for the capital of Denmark. That it is also the romantic capital of Europe is apparent from the fact that it has a number of sights, especially for those in love. From the sculpture of Cupid at Thorvaldsen Museum to the 10 romantic hotels that promise to make your stay memorable, the city seems to be partial to those romantically inclined. The capital of the Danish Empire, once a fishing village, evolved into a premiere city of Europe over the last 1,000 years. This long heritage lends it an old-world charm. Its castles, palaces, museums and cobbled streets hark back to a rich cultural past.
There are several ways you can see Copenhagen — on foot, on its fast and convenient local trains, on buses and on a bicycle. The bicycle seems the best option for the fit and adventurous. There are around 150 parking slots in Copenhagen from where you can pick up a bike for around four Euros. When you are through with your biking, you can return it to any of the parking lots and get your money back! Copenhagen is called the city on water, and the other great way to see the city is to take the canal tour on a boat. On this one-hour round trip you can see most of the important sights of the city though only from outside. You’d go past Amalienborg Palace, Modern House of Contemporary Performing Arts, National Museum, Royal Danish Theatre and Opera House. During the ride do not miss Borsen, one of the world’s oldest stock exchanges built by King Christian IV in 1619; this magnificent building housed the Danish stock market until 1974. One of the most prominent sights you will see on the canal tour would be the symbol of the Danish capital — the bronze sculpture of the Little Mermaid. The statue, inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s children’s classic tale of the same name, was installed on a rock at the Copenhagen harbour in 1913. Though an important tourist attraction, it is also the most vandalised piece of art. In 1964, its head was knocked off by vandals and a new head had to be sculpted. Twenty years later in 1984, its arm was chopped off. It was later recovered and fixed on the statue. In 1998, the head was sawn off again but returned mysteriously by the thieves a few days later and was re-fixed amidst much fanfare. In fact, in 2003 it was blasted off the rock with dynamite and had to be re-fixed. One of the other pleasures of Copenhagen is to stroll through Stroget, which must be Europe’s longest pedestrian market running from City Hall Square (Radhuspladsen) to Kongens Nytorv. It has everything a tourist may want — from budget-friendly stores to antiques, souvenirs and designer labels. Walt Disney admitted that he got his inspiration to build Disneyland from the Tivoli Gardens. This fascinating amusement park, built almost two centuries ago in 1813, has a lot to offer in terms of roller-coaster rides, games and entertainment. There are around 30 restaurants; dozens of rides, flower-bedecked parks, a glass concert hall, pantomime theatre and an aquarium as well as dazzling fireworks at night For the foodies, Copenhagen offers endless street-side cafes, eateries and posh restaurants to suit all pockets — from a 200 Euro meal at a Michelin-star restaurant to the street foods that includes mostly seafood dishes like fish cakes with tartar sauce and the smorrebrods — open rye-bread sandwiches, washed down with excellent home-brewed coffee, all for less than a couple of Euros. Indeed, Copenhagen is a city that smiles. It offers plenty for the tourist. From history and heritage to fun and entertainment and from a great shopping experience to a city that loves its food. It is virtually a romance that blossoms the time you set foot in this capital of the Danes. — NF
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