Before heading to Copenhagen, we started the morning with a quick stop in Odense, the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen. We had a look at his childhood home and visited a museum that documented his life. It could have been more interesting. Still, it offered some insights and a few moments of fun, like a display of ‘The Princess and the Pea’ fairy tale and an unusual interactive exhibit of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ that shows you in a mirror in fancy clothes while the tailors/con men attempt to convince you how wonderful you look in them.

Copenhagen began with a unique accommodation choice—a converted conference centre that served as a hotel when not hosting events. This unconventional setting was small and basic, but it was clean, quiet and more affordable than hotels in the city.

Once settled, we headed into the city. In Norway, driving was slow-paced, typically at 80 km/h. Still, it came with challenges, such as constant curves, hills, narrow roads, tunnels, and the occasional animal on the road. Denmark is a whole other ballgame. The standard highway speed is 130 km/h, but it has many wide lanes and is flat with few curves. I wasn’t comfortable going that fast, but I sat back and let Jason drive. He was okay with it and actually enjoyed the change of pace.

Arriving in Copenhagen during rush hour, it felt like the city of 1.4 million people was all in the downtown core at once. Bikes passed us constantly and manoeuvred faster and more efficiently than cars. This is truly a city of bicycling. There were frequently far more bikes than cars on the road. We noted the majority weren’t fancy, new e-bikes, either. They were old standbys, likely handed down from generation to generation and probably very reliable. Considering the crowds of people, the streets were surprisingly quiet. The few cars on the street are mostly all electric here, just as in Norway. Even the massive tour buses are electric and nearly silent. It made for a pleasurable, almost unnatural calm without engine noises and honking.

Finding parking in downtown city cores can be a challenge anywhere. It was no different here, but we finally found a space near a park and began walking the uneven cobblestone streets to discover what sights awaited us.

Like all European cities, dozens of statues and fountains sit in small squares along any street. We came across one fountain and discovered a stream behind it where a family of swans hid their nest in the reeds. There were two adults with their five cygnets all curled up together. One of the adult swans was awake and alert, while the other (I assume the dad) slept soundly. It was again time to video chat with the twins, so they watched the swan family, too, and they were delighted.

Our walk led us to Nyhavn, a canal with a vibrant nightlife. One side was lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, while boats were moored along the other. We found a spot to sit and enjoy a beer and some wine. The atmosphere was lively, but it was still relaxing to just sit and people-watch.

The weather had turned cool, and shortly after we got our drinks, rain started, and we moved under a tent. The weather changes here as quickly as in Alberta, though, and soon, the rain let up, and we resumed walking again before returning to our hotel.

We have another full day in Copenhagen tomorrow, and fingers crossed the weather cooperates.