Denmark and Sweden -- 3 40-somethings, 3 teen boys

[Margo McDonough]

Hi experts,

 

I will be in Copenhagen and southern Sweden this July for a week with 3 40-something moms and 3 teen boys. Two families are based in the U.S. but one mother-son duo live in Lund so our southern Sweden itinerary is based in that town.

 

What do you recommend we do during our three days in Copenhagen (besides Tivoli) that we'll all enjoy?

 

And as for our three days in southern Sweden...is Lund worth a day of our time? If not, don't worry we won't tell the Lund duo you said so. Are we better off spending our time in Sweden sightseeing in Malmos, etc?

 

I can't wait to hear your advice.

 

Thanks!

Margo        

[Anders Nielsen]

Hi Margo,

I am happy and proud that you will visit our region (I live an hours drive north of Copenhagen). I don't know much about Lund, however I once visited its cathedral (Lund Domkirke) which is ancient (12th. century) - it's worth a couple of hours. My suggestion is that you do a roundtrip from Lund up to Helsingborg (spend a couple of hours there), take the ferry over to Helsingor (sister cities) on the Danish side. Helsingor (Elsinore) has an impressive casttle, Kronborg (Shakespeare's Hamlet took place here, and in the basement there's a huge Viking sleeping by his sword, true!) Legend has it, that in case Sweden attack Denmark, the Viking (Holger Danske) will wake up and defend us). Helsingor has narrow Medieval shopping streets. Continue south by train to Copenhagen and spend most of your time there. Yes, Tivoli is a must visit, evening preferable as it is most beautiful then. Walk the oldest pedestrian street in the world, Stroget, all the way to the old harbour, Nyhavn - a beautiful, very lively and crowded place. There are lots to see in Copenhagen - spend two to three days here. Continue by train to Malmo via the faboulous crossing (partly tunnel, partly bridge). You can probably spend a day in Malmo before continuing on the last stretch up to Lund. Let me know if I can be of more help. Enjoy your trip! Best regards, Anders Nielsen, professional travel journalist based in Fredensborg (between Helsingor and Copenhagen).

[Margo McDonough]

Hello Anders,

Thank you for all this great info...Helsinborg and Helsingor sound very cool...the medieval streets sound like a great place to wander..You've really given me some focus here...and if you don't mind, I will be back in touch, especially when it's time to write articles based on this trip.
I can't wait to see your beautiful region...and from a look at the temperatures listed in the paper, it looks like things are warming up over there, too.
All the best!
Margo

[Anders Nielsen]

Hi Margo,

You're welcome back - glad to be of help. The roundtrip as I describe is a good idea, I think. The area between Helsingor and Copenhagen where I live is full of castles - just in case you wanna know. My town Fredensborg is the Danish Royal Family's summer residental town.
When touring with overseas friends in my area, I usually call it the ABC tour = Another Bloody Castle (pardon my French). See also visitdenmark.com and visitcopenhagen.com

Cheers,
Anders

Margo McDonough said:

Hello Anders,

Thank you for all this great info...Helsinborg and Helsingor sound very cool...the medieval streets sound like a great place to wander..You've really given me some focus here...and if you don't mind, I will be back in touch, especially when it's time to write articles based on this trip.
I can't wait to see your beautiful region...and from a look at the temperatures listed in the paper, it looks like things are warming up over there, too.
All the best!
Margo