KALUNDBORG, DENMARK

A wonderful day in the Danish capital awaits us! Enjoy the sights of Wonderful Copenhagen by coach and by canal boat and have a traditional lunch on this full day adventure.

We shall travel by coach across Zealand to the Danish capital Copenhagen, where our knowledgeable local guide will join us upon arrival. This city is one of the most historic in the Baltic region, and on this introduction tour we will explore close to 850 years of history.

We will have a sightseeing overview of the city, passing the City Hall Square with the stately City Hall alongside the world famous Tivoli Gardens, founded back in 1843 and offering a wealth of flowers, restaurants and entertainment during summer and a lively Christmas Market during December. The mile-long pedestrian street Stroget connects the City Hall Square with the King's New Square, and along this busy street we will see some of Copenhagen’s street life unfolding. Continuing along we will pass the Glyptoteque Art Museum with an impressive collection of art, donated by the son of the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. Further on we will pass the Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament and the Queen's Reception rooms.

We will also see the old part of Copenhagen, lining one of the city's many canals. Amalienborg, the royal winter residence, with four identical rococo palaces surrounding the spacious octagonal palace square. One is used as the residence of Queen Margrethe II; the second was the residence of the Queen Mother who died in November 2000, the third accommodates the Crown Prince and the fourth is used for visiting royals. Drive by the fairy tale style Rosenborg Castle, which houses a museum on the Danish monarchy and the priceless crown jewels and a collection of royal memorabilia. 

At Gammel Strand - formerly the Old Fish market – we will board our canal boat for a cruise through the bustling harbour of Copenhagen and the quaint canals of Christianshavn with its picturesque old buildings. During the cruise we will see some of the major sights such as Holmen’s Church, Thorvaldsens Museum, the old naval base at Holmen and the old Stock Exchange with its unique spire of entwined dragons tails as well as some of the interesting new experimental architecture along the harbour front, such as the new Royal Library, known as the Black Diamond. We will also see Nyhavn - the colourful and lively waterfront district once a favourite haunt for sailors. Today the canal district is lined with 500-year-old gabled houses, dockside cafés and bars. Fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived at three different addresses along the Nyhavn canal. A pause will enable us to see the ‘Little Mermaid’, the fairytale creation of Hans Christian Andersen.

Next, it is time for a traditional Danish lunch buffet, with a drink, at a central restaurant in Copenhagen. We can linger over wonderful impressions of the city before heading back to Kalundborg and our awaiting ship.

TOUR NOTES: Our Copenhagen guide will board the coach upon arrival in Copenhagen – the one and a half hour transfer from Kalundborg to the outskirts of Copenhagen is not guided, but will be accompanied by an escort from the ship. There is a walk of approximately 200 metres (650 feet) to and from Amalienborg Palace over some cobblestones. To reach the boarding place of the boat there is a walk of around 50 metres (165 feet) and to embark, there are 10 steps and a gangplank to negotiate. Depending on numbers, the boat may be shared with the public or be a private boat. The boat is not accessible to wheelchairs. The boat has a public address system but does not have toilet facilities. We shall be cruising for approximately 45 minutes. The order of the tour may be reversed. Please also note that if the tide is high it may not be possible to visit the Christianshavn area due to the low bridges.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR THE 2009 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC SEASON