Pre/Post Suggestions Rome/Copenhagen

[pbs55]

My wife and I are taking our first European Cruise on HAL in June. We are arriving a day early in Rome and staying one extra day in Copenhagen at the end. Any suggested tour groups or tips for our stay?

[cberge]

My wife and I are taking our first European Cruise on HAL in June. We are arriving a day early in Rome and staying one extra day in Copenhagen at the end. Any suggested tour groups or tips for our stay?

 

Just MHO,but if you only have 1 day in each city I would just get out and walk..both places are quite doable to most sights and by walking you will get a sense of the city itself as well as ee most of the main sights.You could check with your hotel in Rome and see what info they have to do a half day city tour by bus which would give you an overview of Rome.I have been to Rome several times and have just begun to scratch the surface.I enjoyed just walking around Copenhagen,but we were there for 4 days and did some other things as well.Have a great trip.

[Artemis]

Just my personal opinion, but I'd be hesitant to commit in advance to a tour or other structured activity in Rome the day you arrive unless you have experience crossing the pond and know you'll both feel marvelous on arrival. It's always hard to predict who in our family will need an immediate nap or will crash halfway through the day, so I leave that first day open. (I realize the last thing you want to do is nap through precious Rome time. I'm a "I can sleep when I get back home" traveler, too, but I've reached the point of total shutdown a few times, so it happens.) We do make a point to eat dinner, walk & go to bed on local time to help the body clock transition. I'm thinking you could definitely target dinner & an evening's walk around the Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc.

 

Like the other poster said, Rome is easy and lovely to explore on foot on your own. Another possibility is going with all of the information you need to get on a sightseeing bus tour or hop on/hop off trolley if you feel up to seeing the city and visiting a few attractions.

 

Have a great trip!

[ocean.queen]

We stayed at the Radisson Royal in Copenhagen, right across the street from Tivoli Gardens and walked everywhere. Went back to freshen up/rest before dinner and went out again. We loved the hotel (got a good rate on Orbitz) and the location is great!

[Bruin Steve]

Rome...Make sure to fit in the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona (you can work in the Coliseum and Pantheon with those as well) and make sure to end up back at the Piazza Navona in the early evening...

 

If you want a great hotel at a great location...try the Hotel Raphael, located right at the Piazza Navona ...some find it a bit pricey, but, it's only one night, right? Make it special...

 

http://www.raphaelhotel.com/eng.html

 

Copenhagen?

Stay somewhere near the heart of the city (we stayed at the Kong Arthur...a short, but enjoyable, walk away from the Stroget, Tivoli, etc.--very nice little hotel)

 

http://www.kongarthur.dk/startUK.htm

 

In one day, I'd visit the Rosenborg Palace, take a canal boat ride (starts at Gammel Strand)...Then stroll up the Stroget (the main shopping street)...have lunch or dinner at Nyhavn (Absolutelly charming marina/street with outdoor cafes and Hans Christian Anderson's house)...You might want to visit Tivoli at night, frankly, I found the place to be loud, crowded and not worth the entrance fee...But, you want to experience Copenhagen, right?

 

Have fun...

[Aussie Gal]

I agree with the other posters both cities are great walking ones and you can see a lot on your own. In fact in both cities we have never used a guide but have just used our legs. We have been to Rome four times and Copenhagen twice.

 

Make a list of the must sees in each city, get a good guidebook and map and take it from there. You will have fun. You may get lost a few times but that is what being a tourist is all about.

 

Enjoy.

 

Jennie

[swdke]

There are two castles that are a definite must, and easy to do, in Frederiskborg castle in Hillerod, and Kronborg castle in Helsingor. Frederiksborg is by far the most beautiful castle in all of Denmark. Web site link to view the castle. http://wictor.dk/wictor/frederiksborg/autofrb.html If the address or link does not work, just search under frederiksborg web cam on your engine browser. The other, Kronborg, is the one used as the setting in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Both castles can be done in one day. It’s very simple to take a train from Copenhagen to Hillerod, about a 30 min. ride. Then take a short walk through the town from the train station, and take a self tour through Frederiksborg castle. Or, you could take a taxi; the castle is not far from the station.

 

Afterwards, you can walk back to the train station and take a train to Helsingor. From the station there, you can easily see Kronborg and walk to the castle, about a 20 min. walk. Once you exit the train station in Helsingor, you can see the castle; it's about a 15-20 min. walk. When you buy your entrance ticket, be sure to also get a ticket for the casemates, if I recall, this was an extra cost. There is also a maritime museum, make sure you see everything, the castle, the casemates, and the maritime museum. Web site to Kronborg http://www.kronborgcastle.com/html/frame/frame.htm

 

In Helsingor, be sure to get ice cream on a street called Brostraede, its right by the train station. Simply go out the main station doors, turn a slight left, and look for an alley named Brostraede. It should all be in view from the train station. There will probably be flags hanging off the outside wall, down in the alley. Brostraede is essentially a small alley, no cars. The ice cream shop is on the right side of the alley, it’s very small in size, but well known to all the Danes. Get the ice cream in a hand made waffle cone, and be sure to ask for the whipped cream and chocolate covered cream ball on top, and topped with strawberry preserve.

 

Also, next to the Helsingor train station, is the ferry to Helsingborg, Sweden. If you had time, you could take the ferry over to Helsingborg and walk around. I may be wrong, and forgive me if I am, but there is noting specific to see in Helsingborg, but going there would simply add to your adventure. Actually, there is some kind of old building or fort, I think it’s called a “Keep” but it's relatively small, but certainly something to see and do while there. Also, you could take a train south to Lund, Sweden, not far from Malmo. Unfortunately, I've never been to Lund, but a Danish friend says it's a very nice town. From there, when finished sightseeing, you can take the train back over to Copenhagen, which is directly across the water from Malmo, Sweden. I am very keen on doing this as the bridge is relatively new. Previously, I had to take a ferry across, but I understand the bridge is a wonder, and I’d like to travel over it.

 

Or, from Helsingor, Denmark, you can take the train back to Copenhagen; this will take about an hour. On this train route, there is a stop in Humlebaek, where there is the famous Lousiana museum. It’s a museum of modern art, and defiantly a must if you’re interested in art. Although it’s a nice museum, I don’t recall it being large in size. Maybe I am wrong, but I’d estimate it can be done in an hour. Also, along the way back to Copenhagen, there is a train stop in Klampenborg along the coast, and the station is only a 10 min walk to Dyrehaven (Deer Park.) Here you can catch a horse drawn carriage through some of the park. Odds are you will see antlered deer, wild in the park. Also, this is the same place as Bakken, which is an amusement park, similar to Tivoli. However, where as Tivoli is focused on the beauty of a city park, with restaurants, entertainment, and lights, Bakken is focused more on rides only. It's no Disneyland, Kings Island, or Six Flags, but admittance is free and you can walk around people watching. I admit, going to Hillerod, Helsingor, Helsingborg-Sweden, Humlebaek, and Klampenborg all in one day might be a bit much. Also, I forgot to mention that from Helsingor, you can take another train to the town of Gilleleje. It's a popular place for Danes to visit on the north shore of the island for beaches. It is a good place to have lunch, and spend some time on the beach on a sunny day.

 

Another palace worthy of visiting in the countryside is Fredensborg Palace and Chapel hours from 1 PM – 4:30 PM. The queen actually resides here at certain times of the year. Yes, as I am sure you know, Denmark has a monarchy. It’s even older than the English monarchy, but a lot less formal. The Prince, Crown Prince Frederick, was married last year to a woman from Australia that he met at the Olympics in 2000. The wedding was a very big deal in Denmark, and even made the US National News. I have an email address and name of the Palace Steward for information on tours in English. Although a bus can be taken, I don’t think I’d have the time to do this unless I have a car.

 

Oh, another place definitely worth visiting, is to take a train to the town of Roskilde, about 30 min. outside of Copenhagen, to visit the Viking Museum, and also the Roskilde Church. I believe I would rate this as a "must do," and plan to go there myself. At the moment, I am thinking on doing this the day the ship arrives back in Copenhagen, where we spend the one night on the ship. The Viking Museum is well worth the visit as well as the Church in town.

 

Back in Copenhagen, be sure to go up the Round Tower, it’s on another pedestrian street intersecting Strøget. I believe the street is called Kobmagergade, but if I am wrong, basically it's the "other" pedestrian street intersecting Strøget. It’s only about 4-5 stories high, but offers a fantastic view. Doing this takes only about 30 min. or less.

 

Christainborg palace in Denmark is in the city, and services as the house of Danish Parliament. There are tours conducted in English. Check out the web site for information on English tours. http://www.ses.dk/english.php

 

Be sure to stop at one of the sidewalk cafes along Nyhavn harbor and enjoy a drink, snack, or lunch. I would recommend catching the harbor canal boat tour from Nyhavn. The tour is conducted in several languages, including English. On the tour is a view of the Little Mermaid. Also, Carlsberg Beer has a brewery tour in Copenhagen if you're interested and have the time. Although it’s in the city, a bus would be required to get there as it’s too far to walk from the general center of the city.

 

Amalienborg, this is another royal residence in Copenhagen, very close to Nyhavn, and the Little Mermaid statue. Be sure to check out the changing of the guard. If the queen is in residence, the ceremony is more elaborate, if not, it's still interesting. However, I am not thinking she is in residence in the summer months. There is a tour in English on Sat & Sun at 1 pm.

 

Also, there are English tours available at Rosenborg castle too. Rosenborg is another castle in the city. It’s not a residence for the queen, but a museum. In the “basement” is where the crown jewels are kept.

 

For lunch in Copenhagen, I recommend eating outside at Peder Oxe, or dining inside for dinner. Or, any café along Nyhavn would be nice. It’s a beautiful setting, and wonderful for people watching.

 

Tivoli, have dinner there at least one evening, if not more. Fireworks are Saturday and Wednesday. True, it's an amusement park, but it's so much more. There’s entertainment, nearly 30 restaurants, and a beautiful park like setting with a lake, and lights at night. Plus, it's not big, it's easy to get around, very cozy, and a wonderful way to spend an evening. For people who expect or want to compare Tivoli to Disney World or Six Flags, then they are just not getting the point of what Tivoli is about, and missing out on a wonderful evening. Visit Tivoli in the evening, because in my opinion, because it’s just not the same atmosphere in the Day, although still fun.

 

SHOPPING: Stroget is a mile long shopping street, no cars. I recommend these stores: Illums Bolighus, Royal Copenhagen, Georg Jensen, and Holmegaard Glass. These are all along Strøget, although I think Holmegaard Glass on a street just off Strøget. Denmark is famous for modern design, and these shops will give you the best idea of what Danish modern design is all about. Be sure to ask about buying tax free. There is a way to get back the tax you pay as you leave the country. Any merchant can explain how easy this is to do.

 

Useful Websites

 

Visit Denmark.com http://www.visitdenmark.com/portal/ViewTextWithTeasers.srv?textId=1%3A91%3A91f7baf8ec2ddf8d2210fa&textListId=1%3A92%3A91f7baf8ec2ddf8d511106&marketId=1%3A29%3A91f7baf8ec2dbf9d2b18&targetGroupId=1%3A83%3A91f7baf8ec2dbfb23a15e&siteCategoryId=1%3A79%3A91f7baf8ec2dbfd28332d&pagePoolId=1%3A57%3A91f7baf8ec2dc01d867c5

 

Copenhagen web site http://www.copenhagenet.dk/Index.htm

 

Copenhagen walks http://www.copenhagenwalks.com/general.htm

 

Suggested activities by Scan Tours http://www.scantours.com/Copenhagen_Sightseeing.htm

 

Round Tower http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-RoundTower.htm

 

Copenhagen This Week http://www.ctw.dk

 

Official Copenhagen web site http://www.copenhageneventures.dk/composite-20.htm

 

Bakken http://www.bakken.dk

 

Deer Park Carriage Ride http://www.woco.dk/composite-3161.htm

 

Deer Park in Klampenborg http://www.sns.dk/internat/vandreture/engelsk/22jaegers/jaegersborg.htm

 

Copenhagen Card http://www.copenhagencard.dk/composite-658.htm

 

A Copenhagen web site http://www.aok.dk/section/english

 

Visit Denmark web site http://www.visitdenmark.com/portal/ViewTargetGroupEntry.srv?targetGroupId=1:83:91f7baf8ec2dbfb23a15e&marketId=1:29:91f7baf8ec2dbf9d2b18

 

Danish Castles http://www.ses.dk/english.php

 

Copenhagen Airport http://www.cph.dk/CPH/UK/MAIN

 

Copenhagen Canal Tour http://www.canaltours.com OR http://www.netto-baadene.dk/index.htm

 

Copenhagen Walking Tours http://www.copenhagen-walkingtours.dk

 

Tivoli http://www.tivoligardens.com or http://www.tivoli.dk

 

Guided Tours with Hans Christian Anderson http://www.copenhagenwalks.com/1024x768/default.htm

 

Roskilde Viking Museum http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/default.asp?contentSection=2

Or http://www.mac-roskilde.dk

 

Roskilde Dome Church http://www.roskildedomkirke.dk/dk

 

Copenhagen Pictures http://www.copenhagenpictures.dk

 

Interactive Copenhagen Map http://www.w2g.dk/default.asp?ArtFolder=477&tpl=28&flash=1&location

 

Danish Language Course Online http://www.speakdanish.dk/html/day1phrases.htm

 

Sofiero in Helsingborg Sweden http://www.sofiero.helsingborg.se/eng/index_eng.html

 

Øresund Bridge web site http://osb.oeresundsbron.dk/frontpage/?lang=1

 

Danish train/rail http://www.dsb.dk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Millenium/Page/MilleForsideUK&c=Page&cid=1052315773184

 

Danish rail service main web site http://www.dsb.dk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Millenium/Page/MilleForside&c=Page&cid=1046702147981

 

Danish train schedule planner http://www.rejseplanen.dk/bin/query.exe/en?

 

Danish train map http://www.dsb.dk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Millenium%2FPage%2FIndholdsside_med_sidemenu_og_introindhold&c=Page&cid=1077272057021

 

Copenhagen Metro Train Map http://www.dsb.dk/servlet/BlobServer?blobtable=Download&blobcol=urldownload&blobheader=application/pdf&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1099891083473&ssbinary=true&filename=file.pdf

[Aussie Gal]

Steve,

 

What a wonderful post. You have certainly covered Copenhagen. We did the two castles on two separate days. We had a delightful lunch in Hillerod and spent time looking at the lake as well as the Castle etc.

 

When we went to Kronberg Castle in Helsingor we did stop and go and see the Louisiana Musuem about 3 stations back towards Copenhagen. We spent quite a bit of time at this beautiful Art Gallery and had our lunch there. It is set in a beautiful garden right by the sea and is a must if you are up that way.

 

We loved the trains, they were so easy to use and Denmark is very easy to get around.

 

Jennie

[pbs55]

Wow, thanks Steve and everyone else for responding. It has be very helpful!!! I am new to cruisecritic and didn't know what to expect. I am gathering a weath of knowledge just reading all of the posts. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!