Christiansborg Palace of Copenhagen

Christiansborg Palace is located a short distance south from Nyhavn - the most popular tourist destination of Copenhagen. The Royal Palace is a walk through centuries of royal pomp, splendor and high drama hidden within the walls and underground ruins. The Queen still uses large parts of Christiansborg Palace today.

With its 106 meters, the Christiansborg Palace tower is the highest tower in Copenhagen, and it offers a magnificent view of the city's rooftops. It is free to access the tower.

The tour includes the Royal Rooms, Chapel, Kitchen, underground Ruins, and Stables.

The Royal Reception Rooms surrounded by the green marble pilasters, golden silk wall coverings and tapestries provide magnificent setting for the Queen to carry out her official duties, where she signs acts of parliament into law and holds New Year banquets in the palace.

The Palace Chapel is used for church ceremonies for members of the Danish Royal Family. Kings and queens have lain in state in the Palace Chapel for centuries and the Danish people have come here to pay their last respects.

The Royal Kitchen beneath the palace gleams with one of Europe’s largest collections of copper kitchenware.

The oldest ruin from the underground ruins is the curtain wall from Bishop Absalon’s 12^th century castle. Another famous ruin is the Blue Tower, where Christian IV’s favorite daughter, Leonora Christine, was imprisoned for nearly 22 years of her life.

At the Royal Stables, the Queen’s white horses are kept with a large collection of royal carriages.

More at: http://kongeligeslotte.dk/en/palaces-and-gardens/christiansborg-palace.html

Rosenborg Castle of Copenhagen

Rosenborg Castle is located a short distance west from Nyhavn - the most popular tourist destination of Copenhagen. The castle was built as a pleasure palace by Christian IV at the beginning of the 1600s and quickly became the king’s favorite residence. With his many building projects, lost wars, and colorful personality, the king made a big mark on Danish history.

Christian IV ruled the country together with the Privy Council, but absolutism was introduced with his son Frederik III in 1660. Many of the furnishings in the castle reflect the pomp and circumstance of the absolute monarchy.

From the 1700s Rosenborg was no longer used as a residence, but became the place where the kings placed their oldest, finest and rarest objects. Here the king’s guests could see the wealth and status of the Danish-Norwegian kingdom in Europe. Rosenborg opened to the public as a museum in 1838.

The exhibition is structured as a journey in time along the royal lineage. The Great Hall and the tower rooms on the second floor are not connected to a particular king. This is also true of the treasury, which displays the king’s lavish collection of valuables, often required as gifts from foreign rulers or as spoils of war.

At Rosenborg Castle the royal lineage ends with Frederik VII, but the royal journey through time continues at Amalienborg Palace, where the private rooms of the kings and queens are exhibited up until Frederik IX, who died in 1972. 

More at: http://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/ 

Copenhagen - Meaning 'Merchant's Harbor'

Scandinavian capitals (Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm) are all set by the water giving them a unique atmosphere. Copenhagen – the city of canals and bicycles. Oslo set against a beautiful fjord. Stockholm surrounded by many islands. They all have something unique to offer.

Copenhagen is one of those exceptional cities, the more time you spend there the more you like it. The more you explore it outside the touristy area the more you appreciate it as a city.

Copenhagen’s inner city, referred to as the medieval city, is not concentrated within a small area and thanks to that you as a tourist don’t feel being overwhelmed by other tourists (which you can feel in the old town of Stockholm). You can still visit a few historical places within a walking distance in one day.

Nyhavn, a 17^th century waterfront lined by brightly colored townhouses, is a popular tourist destination. Rosenborg Castle and Christiansborg Palace are worth visiting and are located a short walkable distance from Nyhavn. You just continue straight on Gothersgade St, west from Nyhavn to reach Rosenborg Castle. Christiansborg Palace is south of Nyhavn.

The name of Copenhagen, meaning “merchants’ harbor,” reflects the city’s origin as a harbor and place of commerce. In the Middle Ages as the town became more prominent, it was repeatedly attacked by the Hanseatic League (a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns). In the late early 17^th century, Copenhagen had dramatic growth as a city, also erecting an important building - Borsen, the stock exchange. In the early 19^th century, Copenhagen experienced a period of intense cultural creativity known as the Danish Golden Age.

Copenhagen is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. The Danes consider themselves the happiest people in the world. 

What to see in Copenhagen?

   1.      Nyhavn – a 17^th century waterfront canal lined by brightly colored townhouses. The canal harbors many historical wooden ships.

   2.      Rosenborg Castle – was built by Christian IV at the beginning of the 1600s and became his favorite residence. The royal lineage ends with Frederik VII, but the royal journey continues at Amalienborg Palace.

   3.      Christianborg Palace – the Queen still uses large parts of the palace today. The tour includes the Royal Rooms, Chapel, Kitchen, underground Ruins, and Stables. The tower offers the view of the city and it is free to access the tower.

   4.      Amalienborg Palace – is famous for its Royal Guard and you can experience the changing of the guards at noon. Amalienborg Museum presents the private interiors of the most recent kings and queens, stretching back 150 years.

   5.      National Museum of Denmark – Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history, including exhibitions from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Modern Danish History.

  6.      Little Mermaid – world famous statue turned 100 years in 2013. It is based on the fairy tale of the same name by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It is located at Langelinie Park’s promenade.

  7.      Frederiksberg is a fashionable part of Copenhagen with excellent cafes. It is also a green oasis with Frederiksberg Gardens overlooked by Frederiksberg Palace sitting on top of Frederiksberg Hill. The palace dates back to the early 1700’s.

  8.      Picturesque streets with its canals – head towards Christiania on the island across from historic district.

Where to stay?

Copenhagen is a pretty expensive city. If you’re willing to take a bus, First Copenhagen at Molestien 11 is a good option.

Where to go from Copenhagen?

  1.      North Zealand – it is north of Copenhagen, a 30 minute train ride. The area is full of famous castles including Frederiksborg Castle – splendidly furnished Renaissance palace, Kronborg Castle – known for setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

  2.      Odense – hometown of Hans Christian Andersen and Egeskov Castle. From Kastrup Airport take train directly to Odense, about 2hrs.

  3.      Den Gamle By – is the Old Town of Aarhus where the history comes alive. It spans three decades, going back to the time of Hans Christian Andersen in 1864. You can get there by bus http://www.rejseplanen.dk/bin/query.exe/en  

  4.      Oslo, Norway – by ferry www.aferry.com

  5.   Stockholm, Sweden – by SJ High-Speed train http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/high-speed-trains/sj

Six Peaks of Saranac Lake to Hike

Saranac Lake, located in the Adirondacks of NY state, is only 9 miles away from Lake Placid, once host to Winter Olympics. Saranac Lake is a good option if you’re looking for a quiet place over busy village of Lake Placid. There are six mountains encircling Saranac Lake: McKenzie Mtn. 3,822 ft, Ampersand Mtn. 3,353 ft, Scarface Mtn. 3,054 ft, St. Regis Mtn. 2,874 ft, Haystack Mtn. 2,864 ft, Baker Mtn. 2,452 ft.

I hiked Haystack and Ampersand. Haystack has a nice view on one side, but I was blown away by the views from Ampersand, almost 360 view. The hike itself is very impressive and the views are spectacular.

Ampersand Mtn (5.4 miles RT, moderate to difficult) offers an interesting hike. The first 1.7 miles is relatively flat (still snaky and rocky) and passes through a mixed hardwood forest. The last mile ascends 1300 feet vertical and has some rough spots. The open summit provides amazing views of the High Peaks Wilderness and Saranac Chain of Lakes.

Haystack Mtn (left) (6.6 miles, RT, moderate) offers a pleasant woods walk leading to a final steep climb to an open rock face and ledge with views of Whiteface, the High Peaks and the Saranac Lakes chain. Trail continues on to McKenzie Mtn.

More info at: http://www.saranaclake.com/activities/outdoor/hiking