Like the rest of Scandinavia, Denmark is hot. But before you pack your Bermudas and tanning oil, consider that the sizzle coming from the north of Europe is from an uber-popular destination offering cool attractions and hip restaurants.
“The happiest place on earth”– yes, according to Columbia University’s 2013 World Happiness Report–also offers rich history and a wealth of cultural activities, while its numerous islands and 4,500 miles of coastline provide a bounty of outdoor options.
The foodies in your group will rejoice in a restaurant scene that features New Danish Cuisine and includes Michelin two-star Noma, rated the best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine.
According to Christina Johansson, public relations and press manager for VisitDenmark, Denmark’s biggest draws are its locals, work-play ethic and green mindedness.
“Danes are among the most sophisticated when it comes to design and architecture but also the most playful, and they know how to combine business and pleasure in a way that minimizes environmental impact.”
Following is roundup of some of the country’s most compelling experiences for groups.
Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen’s most popular and iconic attraction is conveniently located in the heart of the city, and harkens back to an earlier charm-filled era, dating back to 1843. Attendees can stroll along picturesque gardens, view the pirate ship and dragon boats on the tree-lined lake, or stretch out on the lawn for live music or theater from the open-air stage. And with thousands of lights–120,000 incandescent light bulbs to be exact–the park is especially enchanting at night.
“Tivoli’s striking scenery and the many activities, be they entertainment, games or attraction rides, are great for taking a break during your meeting,” says Ellen Dahl, Tivoli’s communications consultant.
Tivoli is also part amusement park, with a Ferris Wheel, thrill rides and a 100-year-old wooden roller coaster.
The options for group events are many.
“Because of Tivoli’s versatility, there really is not a typical size of group,” Dahl says. “It can be 15 executives at the Nimb Cupola for a strategy meeting, 1,500 VIPs for a charity gala or 5,000 delegates for a social event.”
And with 27 restaurants and cafes, groups can take advantage of a wide range of culinary experiences.PageBreak
Nimb
Despite being located within Tivoli Gardens, Nimb easily merits distinction as its own destination. Opened in 1909, the 17-suite property, featuring ornate, Moorish-inspired architecture, is considered Copenhagen’s top boutique hotel. It features Nimb Bar, where attendees can sip cocktails by a roaring fire; an adjacent ballroom; a 250-seat brasserie; Nimb Vinotek, a candle-lit wine cellar; a contemporary bar and grill; and the lake-side Nimb Terrasse, Tivoli’s oldest restaurant.
Each of Nimb’s restaurants is available for private events, while several areas of the hotel are designated specifically for meetings and events, each with a high wow factor.
“The Rotunden room is the most beautiful room in Cophenhagen,” Johansson says.
The patatial room features chandeliers and curved windows offering views of the garden.
Viking Ship Museum
Located in Roskilde just outside Copenhagen, the Viking Ship Museum offers visitors a view on the world of Vikings, traders and boatbuilders who lived in the region during the middle ages.
The venue houses five Viking ships dating from 1070, when they were deliberately sunk to block the nearby harbor and protect the town from enemy ships. Excavated in 1962, the ships range from cargo and fishing vessels to warships. The museum has also built replicas of the five ships for exploring and sailing, along with a large collection of traditional Nordic wooden boats.
“Our guided tours can be extended to include an introduction to the Viking’s woodworking and shipbuilding and the opportunity to try your hand as a boat builder with axes and oak timber,” says Allan Kristoffersen, the museum’s booking and sales manager. “It’s also possible to combine ‘A Taste of The Viking Age,’ where the participants learn more about which food the Vikings ate during their long journeys at sea, with samples of dry meat, fish, nuts and fruits, and mead or apple juice.”
Rib Boats
Canal tours have long been a popular way to see Copenhagen, floating along the narrow waterways in glass-top barges for close-up views of the city. But for thrill-seeking groups that want to cover a lot of distance in a hurry, the adrenaline-inducing Rib boats, which stands for rigid inflatable boat, can reach speeds of 65 mph on the open seas between Denmark and Sweden.
“Rib boats are very popular with groups here,” says Alex Garavano, owner and CEO of RibAlex.dk. “Sailing at high speeds is very exciting to see and try, getting the adrenaline kick and being on an adventure together.”
Popular tours include visits to the Oresund Bridge that connects Copenhagen and Malmo, Sweden, and the array of massive offshore wind turbines to the south of the bridge. Groups can also stop to explore or picnic on one of several decommissioned island forts in Copenhagen’s harbor, such as Trekroner Sea Fortress, or even opt for a slow and easy canal tour of the city’s main sites, chilled wine included.PageBreak
Visit Carlsberg
Nothing says Denmark quite like a cold bottle of Carlsberg beer, one of the country’s most recognizable brands. The brewery has been around since 1847, and tours of the facility are a group favorite, and not just for the beer tasting.
“Our tour takes you through the historic brewery as well as the fascinating tale of how Carlsberg successfully went from local brewery to global power-brand,” says Camilla Pedersen, communications consultant for Visit Carlsberg.
On display is the significant art collection amassed by founder J.C. Jacobsen, with pieces from the Danish Golden Age, as well as antiques and artifacts from the early days of brewing. According to Pedersen, groups can enjoy a Danish lunch with their own bartender, and carriage rides with Carlsberg’s famous dray horses, while the museum and bottling hall can accommodate everything from small groups to large conferences.
Kronborg Castle
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Whatever your favorite line from Shakespeare, you can channel your inner Hamlet at the site that inspired it all–Kronborg Castle. Located in Elsinore, 40 minutes north of Copenhagen, the UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 1500s and is one of the most magnificent Renaissance castles in northern Europe.
“Kronborg Castle can hold all kinds of events where you need a special venue, from intimate groups of 10 up to huge events of 1,000 people, where you use a number of the beautiful old halls of the castle,” says Jesper Moller, marketing coordinator at Kronborg.
The In Hamlet’s Footsteps tour takes groups through chambers, galleries and halls where the famous plots and dramatic scenes might have played out.
“The famous cannon toast, as described in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a tradition at Kronborg,” Moller says. “When toasting, a sign is given to fire a cannon on the ramparts surrounding the castle.”
National Aquarium of Denmark, Kastrup
It’s hard to tell what’s more impressive at the National Aquarium of Denmark, the architecture or the sea life. Opened in 2013, the architectural landmark was built by architects 3XN, with its striking curved façade inspired by the shape of whirlpools. Inside, the aquarium’s 53 tanks hold 20,000 animals and 1.8 million gallons of water.
“We are one of the top five attractions in Copenhagen and our building has won many international prizes for its architecture,” says Christian Yssing, the aquarium’s public relations and marketing chief. “Every day you can experience feedings, seaworthy stories and up-close experiences with many of the animals at the aquarium.”
Besides the opportunity to feed fish and other animals, groups can enjoy banquets and receptions throughout the venue while surrounded above and below by swimming fish.
“You can have exclusive dinners and galas in the company of grey hammerhead sharks, elegant sting rays and colorful reef fish,” Yssing says.
Writer John Anderson’s love for all things Scandinavian extends to his Danish-American relatives.
