Wonderful Copenhagen

'Helter-skelter Spire'

What a well-planned excursion we had in Copenhagen.  First we were taken to see the most popular sights - the Little Mermaid and the Amelienborg Palace.  Following a drive around the city we were dropped off in an older part of town and took a walk before boarding a river boat.

While we were near the Little Mermaid (and impossible to take a photo without someone else being in the picture!) I also had a good look around.  Anchored offshore is the beautiful white Royal Yacht.

The procession of coaches then headed for the Amelienborg Palace which is made up of four identical buildings.  One for Queen Margarethe and Prince Henrik, another the Crown Prince and Princess and their family, a third where banquets are held and the fourth is a museum.  Overlooking the square is the Marble Church (Frederik's Church).  I assume it is named for Frederik V whose equestrian statue is in the square.

Across from the palace are some gardens (crowded of course) with a view across the water of the new Opera House.  All glass and contemporary.

There was one more 'crowded' corner to visit and we were lucky that our driver found somewhere to park.  This was at Churchill Park we took photos of the Gefion Fountain.  Gefion is the Nordic goddess of fertility.  Nearby is a very English looking church which is dedicated to St. Alban and was built at the behest of our Queen Alexandra, who was Danish.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our walk in an old, old part of the city where the buildings have been restored instead of being knocked down.  There was one lovely surprise - a beautiful 'cottage' garden.  Please don't ask me where this area is.  We had driven in so many directions, including past Tivoli, that I have no idea where we were.

The Black Diamond

Following the walk we went across a bridge over a canal to await our boat.  Once boarded and on our way we soon understood why they are so shallow - lots of low bridges.  The boat comes equipped with a guide who kept us busy with our cameras.  I subsequently had to buy a guide book full of pictures so that I can identify my photos.  I do know that we saw the Stock Exchange with its barley sugar twist spire, the Black Diamond (a modern extension to the Royal Library) and the Church of our Saviour, all brown and gold with a spire looking like a helter-skelter.

Before returning to our ship the boat took us around the island of Holmen, a part of which is a military zone.  The rest is now schools, academies, restaurants and bars.  Sounds very busy.

I remember once telling a friend that I wanted to do a city break in Copenhagen.  She asked why?  She doesn't know what she has missed... I'd still like to do that city break.