Looking for that Christmas feeling? Go to Copenhagen. Christmas trees, light chains and reindeers are waiting for you on the other side of the border.
Tivoli, an amusement park named in reference to the Parisian garden holds a special kind of magical feeling in the modern city of Copenhagen, Denmark. So it was quite befitting to start my first Swedish Christmas tradition by visiting the renowned Christmas village.
Go in groups
It started with clear skies and long-awaited sunrays on Sunday morning after a whole week of gloomy grey skies. Drizzle; however seems determined follow along our footsteps throughout the day as we headed towards Copenhagen City around 11.05am. Unfazed, we were off taking the train in from Lund. Do plan to go in groups (for two adults, return) on the stored value card goes for 336kr, while if you pay via cash, it will be 420kr. So do consider getting a card, it can make quite a difference.
Exclusive dinnerware
After about 1.5 hours of train ride, we spilled onto the busy street where we were greeted immediately by Tivoli’s cheerful Christmas decoration right across the station. We decided to venture further first into the shopping street to view the Christmas tables at Royal Copenhagen store. If you have not been before, it is certainly worth taking a visit at the elaborate table settings and view table sets using the world’s most exclusive dinnerware. Makes me want to grab a seat and join in the dinner party!
If you are one who loves rides and shopping together, be prepared then to spend at least three hours and above to cover all the ground. Entrance fee is 79 Danish Kroners (DKK). Once you have entered in its grand gates, you would have a feeling that everyone was invited to join in the festive celebrations!
The smell of Glögg
There are about 70 stalls spread throughout Tivoli, with elves peeping around every corner. They are designed like little cottages and you are welcome to taste Danish Salami or toffee, all in an effort to overwhelm your visual senses and taste buds. The smell of Glögg, a spicy aromatic wine drunk specially during Christmas floats throughout the whole park from restaurants and visitors carrying cups of the festive drink around as they browse the wares on sale.
If you are keen to pick up some Christmas decorations, you will have your fill of options to choose. I like especially the ones from a white house called Illums Bolighus. There, you will find tastefully designed decoration to brighten up even the dullest room. There are also some funky looking reindeers and snowman at ‘Det Gamle Apotek’, or The Old Pharmacy. No, they are not selling medicine for your body, but perhaps trinkets to heal the homesick souls during this season. All the decoration can range from as little as 18 DKK for Santa-ish looking ceramic girls to over 100 DKK for the specially designed Snowman candleholders.
Dress warmly
For first time visitors, you might like to check out roller coaster ride called the Demon, located right next to The Tivoli Lake. It is bordered by willows decorated with 1800 light chains and put thoughts into one to start a new genre of Christmas trees. Do not make the same mistake as me and think those fluffy white birds are part of the decoration next to the Christmas trees along the bridge. They are real and just taking a light snooze. Some special amusements are set-up for the season such as the Swing Carousel, the Music Carousel and the Chinese Lantern.
Picture taking opportunities includes the grand Christmas tree, which seems to illuminate all the buildings around it with its miles of fairy lights. A giant Trojan reindeer gave me some amusement and there is a ‘Nisse Köping’, or ‘Santa’s House’ that has free entrance and sells hot chocolate with whipped cream. In it, you will find many elves hard at work in all kinds of stances to get all the presents ready for Santa to deliver, while having some fun of their own at the same time. A quick visit will do though, just to convince you that Christmas and elves are closely related.
Be prepared for the capricious change of weather and dress warmly, though there are welcoming pans of hot coals situated around the corner to warm the coldest hands and feet. Take note of the opening hours and plan to shop and pick up something to cheer up your nearest neighbor!
Read more in English? Look here.
Foto: Jonas Jacobson
