So. Copenhagen. The capital of the world's happiest country.
This is a city fairly easily explored on foot.
A third of Denmark's population lives here.
Seemingly everyone speaks English, fluently. To the point where you feel like a TEFL student with a very limited vocabulary.
Cycling is a very popular mode of transport and many bikes whizzing past (in the bike lanes, of course) have little trailers for tots and dogs.
Residents wait patiently on the kerb for the little green man to appear before crossing the road. Even when there's no traffic.
The Danish Royal family are based in the city, living in a palace which consists of four buildings (you get to walk right past the front doors) and guarded round the clock by what appeared to be uniformed children (who, by the way, need a lot more marching practice). Musical accompaniment is dependent on whichever Royal is in residence (the monarch gets the full band, others just flutes and drums). Clearly, no-one was at home during our visit.
In winter, there are signs of hygge everywhere: people wrapped up warmly from head to toe, blankets carefully folded on cafes' outdoor seating, warm welcomes, twinkly lights and, of course, candles, at breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond.
Interesting spires and steeples abound.
Ditto statues.
Well behaved dogs wait patiently outside churches, evidently passing the time with a sneaky fag.
It's a safe, clean, almost litter-free city.
Shops in the process of renovation have fancy boards to hide the mess.
It has a reputation for being expensive and yes, it's probably fair to say you won't find any bargains here.
Locals are friendly and will stop to offer assistance at the sight of a visitor fumbling on a corner with a tourist map.
Denmark is the birthplace of Lego and Copenhagen that of Saccharomyces carlsbergiensis, a particular brewer's yeast. Discovered in a particular brewery. No prizes for guessing which one.
The architecture is stunning.
The National Gallery is home to an impressive collection.
A stroll past the colourful houses lining Nyhavn ('new harbour') is a must but probably best avoided for anything else. Unless nightclubs and overpriced restaurants serving average food are your thing.
A cup of coffee in a cafe which looks like someone's living room tastes so much better when accompanied by a Danish pastry or two. So I'm told.
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*From Wonderful Copenhagen from the film Hans Christian Andersen. When I told my cousin we were visiting Copenhagen, she said my dad always reminded her of Danny Kaye. Well, it certainly wasn't because of his singing.