Post-brunch (that was really lunch but I wish had been brunch) at the epic Mad & Kaffe, Sarah, Caroline, Thomas and I decided to make the most of the gorgeous day and stroll around our favourite parts of the city.

Starting with Tivoli.

Now, if you read my post on why I love Denmark so much, you will be well aware of my deep love and childlike obsession with the BEST PLACE ON EARTH. Tivoli is an amusement park stroke beautiful gardens stroke foodie paradise stroke entertainment hub and, simply put, makes me extraordinarily happy. Unsurprisingly, my friends that now permanently reside in the capital aren’t quite as taken with it as I still am, so I’d already mentally prepared a grand speech to guilt trip them into going with me.

But it was still shut for winter!!! Re-opening just one measly weekend after I was to return home. My second heartbreak of the holiday. Sob.

But what better way to comfort oneself than with a spot of retail therapy?

We headed to Strøget, the longest & most popular pedestrian shopping street in Copenhagen.

Stopping en route to bask in the open sunshine of Rådhuspladsen (“City Hall Square”), which frequently hosts live music and dance performers showcasing their talents.

On to Strøget. Be prepared to pass many a shop, falafel house (the Danes love a good kebab, and don’t be picturing your local late night greasy doner dirty secret, they’re super fresh & yummy!), and street entertainer.

Half-way down Strøget is my favourite spot, where the street opens into a large open square with Storkespringvandet (the “Stork Fountain”) standing proud at the centre.

The square is also home to my favourite lunch spot, Café Norden (full review coming), which is perfectly set up for watching the world go by and, FAR more importantly, my family’s long-held prized possession, one of the few hotdog vans permitted in the capital.

Ooonly joking. I wish I had an unlimited lifetime supply of sausages but, sadly, I’ll have to keep dreaming. Still, if you’re going to get a hotdog in CPH (which you really should as, a) they’re delicious and, b) they’re the local in-between meals ‘snack’, as you can see from the photo… and, well, when in Rome!), be sure to get it from Petersen’s van and think of me 😎

Having reached the end of Strøget and our shopping desires for the day, we made the short walk to Nyhavn in search of a drink.

^ I can think of worse set-up’s.

Nyhavn is the most picturesque & atmospheric part of Copenhagen, which, funnily enough, therefore means you’ll have to swallow tourist prices and a row of restaurants with repetitive menus, but DO NOT let that put you off.

It’s my favourite place to chill with a glass of wine, listen to live music, people watch and totally relax. Being next to the canal and boats is eerily calming and there’s just such a perfect “hygge” vibe.

The bright coloured houses instantly lift spirits.

And, if you’re really intent on watching the pennies (OK, we’re talking like £8 for a beer or glass of wine here people, but everyone seems to lose their sh*t about “how expensive Scandanavia is”, so I’m giving you some options), you can always grab some tinnies and chill by the water’s edge so you don’t miss out on the fun.

There’s also an excellent ice-cream shop a little further along the canal – don’t worry – just follow the smell of hot waffles and walk in the opposite direction of the tide of people enjoying their marvelous cone creations and you’ll find it. Sadly, it had gotten a little too chilly by the time I was in the mood for one but, then again, we needed to get home and prepare our little tapas feast before heading to an old friend’s birthday party a few hours later, so I wasn’t too dispirited!

Sarah, Caroline, Thomas, Freddy, Morten and I enjoyed aaaaaall the meat, cheese and wine before the rest of the squad arrived, most of whom I hadn’t seen since our last year at summer school, i.e. 7 years ago (I now feel horribly old). Again, everyone was and looked the same. I still find it amazing. Wouldn’t it be dreamy if I could say the same in another 7 years’ time…

We drank, we laughed, we played games.

(And I eventually got changed.)

Before heading out to the town for a night on the tiles to celebrate one of our nearest & dearest’s birthdays.

I think “messy” would be succinct.

A jam-packed day catching up with old friends in my happy place. It doesn’t get much better than that.