Danish Open Faced Sandwiches

If you want to try a typical Danish meal then try Smorrebrod, or open faced sandwiches. There are many combinations and ingredients to try. My favorite place, other than at the house with family, is The Standard in Copenhagen. I took Sandy, Don, Cheryl and Leo there this trip to sample the great food and enjoy the fantastic view. The Standard is close to Nyhavn and is on the water in the old ferry building. You can sit outside when the weather is nice and enjoy a view of the waterway and the part of the city on the other side. For those of you that know Noma, either the top ranked restaurant or close to the top in the world, it is owned by the same person.

To get there, go to Nyhavn and walk to the opening of the channel, walk to the right and it is a block away in a green building on the water.

Lolland, Denmark

My family lives on Lolland, an island in Denmark about an hour and a half from Copenhagen and accessible by E47. If you continue from Lolland on E47 you will take a ferry to Puttgarden, Germany. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes. I had been hearing that a bridge was in the works to connect Lolland and Germany but on this trip I learned that it is going to be a tunnel and work is ready to begin. Once the tunnel is complete it will be an easy route to get from Norway and Sweden through Denmark and to mainland Europe.

Lolland itself is a small island with mainly farm land with the sugar beet crop being the largest. There is a sugar processing plant in nearby Falster. The area is very slow paced with small cities and towns. Some of the best beaches are located in Lolland and Falster. Merielyst Strand and the beach at Lollandia are some of the best in Denmark. Where before there were shipyards for building ferries now those same yards are building the wind mills you see scattered throughout the countryside in Europe.

I love to get out of the big city, Copenhagen, and make the beautiful short drive to Lolland. Lolland is like going back in time where the pace is slower and the countryside reminds you of a day gone past. Especially during the sugar beet harvest season when the cars can get stuck behind a slow moving tractor pulling a wagon full of beets.

One of my favorite places to visit is Nysted, new town, and it's harbor. The massive Aalholm Castle (Aalholm Slot ), built ca. 1200, dominates the view from the harbor at Nysted. For over 1,000 years this stronghold has tried to protected the town's citizens. It is one of the oldest, preserved Middle Ages fortresses in Denmark. If I were to retire in Denmark my dream would be to live in one of the houses facing the harbor. In the harbor there is a monument from WWII for an American bomber that was shot down killing all on board.

My grandfather was born not far from Nysted in Herritslev and the house is still standing. I have some family in Nysted and Herritslev but the bulk are in the Holeby/Maribo area. I love visiting my relatives and having dinner. This time I took my cousin Sandy and Don and we had a huge dinner with as many relatives as we could get together. To me these family trips are the best part of the trip.

Lolland and Falster are not tourist destinations but there is still a lot to see from beautiful castles and manors to some of the best beaches in Denmark. If you have the time and want to relax I would definitely recommend see the area.  

Kronborg Castle, Denmark

I have been going to Denmark for years and I always like giving a tour of Copenhagen and the surrounding area to friends that have never been there before. This year I was able to meet my cousin Sandy and Don in Copenhagen to introduce them to our Danish relatives.

I was able to take them to Kronborg Castle where we had a pleasant surprise. Kronborg Castle is also known as Hamlet's Castle as Shakespeare used the castle as his location for his play, Hamlet. In August the tour of the castle also includes actors playing roles from the play in the room it was intended to be in. As you are walking around you may find yourself watching a scene from Hamlet in a bedroom, grand hall or in the courtyard. It was a great experience so if you are in Denmark in August make sure you visit the castle.

The castle itself is built in Helsingor and is at the narrowest part of the straight between Denmark and Sweden. Denmark used to make ships passing through the straight pay a tax. You not only get a tour of a real working castle but also an incredible view of Helsingor and Sweden on the other side of the straight. Go to the top of the tower for the best view.

Also, you can tour under the castle where the soldiers lived. It wouldn't be the most pleasant place to live as it is very dark and damp. This is also where Holger Danske lives. Holger is the protector of Denmark and whenever Denmark needs him he will come to life to  protect the country.

The castle opens at 10 am and you can make it a day touring the castle and grounds or you can tour the nearby Frederiksborg Castle about a half hour away by car.