Old World | Copenhagen



These pictures were taken at Kastellet, a beautiful, old fortress originally commissioned by Frederik III in 1662. I decided to bike here from Charlottenlund and then walk the grounds and grassy ramparts. It has been raining on and off the last couple days and everything was so clean and fresh. The red buildings are some beautiful 18th century barracks and the church is St. Alban's.









Love, Sharon

Italian Ice Cream on a Stick | Copenhagen

I was on the local S-train a few days ago and saw a Danish newspaper with an eye-candy photograph and a short article on Olufs, which sells homemade Italian ice cream. It looked like a delectable little place, and I know the Danes take their ice cream very seriously, so I made a point of visiting.

Beautiful, natural, homemade Italian ice cream on a stick in three sizes and tons of flavors! I enjoyed a chocolate licorice ice cream dipped in lemon white chocolate. Who can resist that? Probably one of the most unique foods I have eaten since I've been in Denmark. They reminded me of the paletas I have had (and love) in Mexico, which are frozen fresh fruit popsicles, either with fruit only or fruit mixed with cream. I should mention that the shop is at the beginning of the very charming and colorful street, which added to my experience of the senses. Peace out ;-), Sharon

Biking

1. bike_woodboat, 2. bikes_viewofsea, 3. bikes_undercover, 4. bike_rickshawdad, 5. bike_pink, 6. bike_orange

Copenhagen and the surrounding neighborhoods are all about bicycles. I know there are other places in the world where people probably use their bicycle just as much as in Denmark, but I'm not sure they do it the way the Danes do. They do it with style: in a suit, elegant dress and/or high heels, no problem!, and no matter what the weather. Two years ago Copenhagen was voted the "Best city for cyclists" and the "World's most livable city."

Bikes are definitely the best, fastest and cheapest way to get around and to explore. I especially love exploring by bike in Charlottenlund, the small town north where I'm staying. Forget about cars. They are so ridiculously expensive in Denmark due to high taxes, and very few young people have them. Usually Copenhageners don't buy a car until they have a family and kids. My favorite ones are the cargo bikes (Christiana Bikes).

1. flowerbike_bldgs, 2. bikes_green, 3. bike_bikeracemom, 4. bikes_onboardboat

I also read that cities all around the world are now looking at ways to copy this phenomenon. It really is biking heaven for the cyclist in Copenhagen with over 220 miles of designated bike lanes. As a tourist in Copenhagen you really must rent a bike here. I get homesick for my mountain bike; oh my love of bikes! Love, Sharon

Louisiana | Museum of Modern Art

Louisiana is one of the most beautiful museums in Copenhagen and is designed in a traditional Danish minimalistic style. (Well, actually it's not located in Copenhagen, but a bit north of Copenhagen in Humlebæk.) Louisiana is a museum for modern art where you can see changing art exhibitions and of course the permanent collection. I was disappointed that at the time of my visit, the permanent collection/wing of the museum was temporarily closed and under some sort of transformation. I was really hoping to see some of Hilma AF Klint's abstracts. I guess I'll continue to obsess over her art from the beautiful book I found at The Bread Station in Charlottenlund!

The museum is located in the most fabulous, green surroundings with views across the sea all the way to Sweden. You can walk around the garden, which is full of outdoor sculpture, enjoy a lunch or a cup of coffee in the amazing museum café, and when you're done admiring the art you can shop in the museum shop.

The pics below are from the current exhibition of American painter, Philip Gustin (Painting, Smoking, Eating). The other featured artist, Emil Nolde, was of German/Danish heritage. His work was spread across several rooms–probably over 200 pieces–and displayed a comprehensive presentation from early pieces to the latest, newer dimensions of his work. My favorites were those called the Unpainted Pictures. These small-format, imaginative works were ''unpainted'' in the sense that they did not officially exist (little secrets he kept in seclusion) and were not supposed to exist, as he was banned from painting and selling as an artist by the Nazi regime in 1941 for 8 years thereafter. Love, Sharon