WHERE TO GO – WHAT TO SEE

HELSINGØR

If you want to explore something outside of the Danish capital, Helsingør is a cultur- al coastal city and home of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, also known as Elsinore. You can ei- ther catch a train from Copenhagen to Hels- ingør, it takes about 45 minutes, or drive along the scenic coastline heading north.

Visit beautiful Kronborg, a renaissance castle built in 1574, overlooking Øresund. The royal court was known for its lavish life- style and association with traders, diplomats and aristocrats – something that inspired Shakespeare’s play about Prince Hamlet, who famously said: “To be or not to be, that is the question”. Head down the cold corri- dors underneath the castle to see the giant sculpture of the sleepy soldier, Holger Dan- ske. According to old narrations Holger Dan- ske will wake up and fight for the country of Denmark in case of an emergency. Hope- fully he will stay asleep until the end of time!

In a charming yellow house across from Kronborg, is a cute little coffee roasting com- pany that imports beans from more than 20 different countries. The coffee shop is a for- mer cafeteria, and for 350 years it provided

the castle’s soldiers with food. Fuel up on some delicious coffee before you head to the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark.

The award-winning museum is a true treasure for people interested in learning more about Denmark as a leading maritime nation. If you are having trouble locating the museum, you probably aren’t the first – the museum is below ground in the middle of the Culture Harbor. Simply follow the slop- ing bridges down to the old dry dock.

Be sure to also check out the Danish Mu- seum of Science & Technology, where both adults and children can interact with various forms of technology. Get behind the wheel of vintage cars, start the engine in a majes- tic airplane and experience the Soyuz space capsule that took Andreas Mogensen, Dan- ish astronaut, to space.

Never do anything on an empty stomach, so why not eat some fresh fish and seafood while enjoying the view of Øresund? Among others, Restaurant Kaj and Restaurant Strejf both serve delicious meals from oysters to traditional open sandwiches.