03/03/2026
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Europe, Scandinavia, Sweden, Travel

Unforgettable Meatballs and Landmarks in Stockholm

Walking through Stockholm Arlanda Airport after our trip to Finland reminded us both just how big Stockholm is. Arlanda is larger in every respect than Turku. This was evident with our trip to baggage claim. Baggage carousels stretched for what seemed to be hundreds and hundreds of yards.

After we collected our things, we made our way to the exit, but not before some “familiar” faces greeted us. Lining the walls were portraits of famous Swedes, “welcoming us” to their hometown of Stockholm. We saw a Skarsgård (Stellan), Joel Kinnaman, Tove Lo, Avicii, Zara Larsson, and Axwell ^ Ingrosso, to name a few. It’s a nice touch to remind people that the Swedes have global reach in popular culture and beyond.

We were picked up by my partner’s parents and whisked to the outskirts of the city, where we would collect our bags from a friend of my future Father-In-Law and then start our exploration of the city in earnest. We met his former exchange “brother” and his family, who were lovely, and then we made our way further away from the city. We then met another one of his exchange “brothers.” We dropped off our bags and then went into the city to see some of the sights. Oh, and we were hungry. Very, very hungry.

Meatballs For The People delivers on its name. They served meaballs for the people. But it wasn’t your mom’s meatballs (unless your mom is Swedish). You can find just about any meatball here.

This neon accent gives you a peek into what kind of meatballs they serve at Meatballs For The People. Bear, Elk, Boar, Chicken, Beef, Reindeer, Lamb, Deer, and yes, they even have a Vegan option for those who live that lifestyle. Dare I say, they got it all? I do. I do dare.

Each of us ordered different balls (stop giggling), and we dug in. I will say that these were some of the best meatballs I have ever had. They were also among the most distinctive. Where else could I find a chicken and a reindeer meatball on the same menu? Stockholm. Stockholm is the answer. As I am sure other spots in Sweden, but for this piece, the answer is Stockholm.

After filling our bellies with meatballs, lingonberries (sneaky good berry, btw), and mashed potatoes, it was time to head to the old town.

Gamla Stan (Old Town) is the original city centre of Stockholm, dating back to the 13th century. It is a walker’s paradise. The streets are mainly closed to vehicles, making it an ideal spot to walk and enjoy the old buildings filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

There are a couple of spots I am going to highlight because they were among the more engaging and funky sites that we have visited.

First up is a site that is easy to miss unless you know what you are looking for. It’s a cannonball stuck in the corner of a building. The mythos is that somebody shot it during the 16th century and lodged it in the wall after just missing its intended target, Christian II of Denmark, during the Stockholm Bloodbath. The more pedestrian, factual story is that it was built into the wall by a merchant to create a point of interest.

Our next stop was a place I did not even know existed.

Mårten Trotzigs Gränd is the narrowest street in Stockholm. Living in the Bay Area of California, we know about steep and windy streets, but not narrow ones. And I am talking NARROW. At its narrowest point, the walkway is a mere 90 centimeters wide. Since we had been walking and would continue to walk, we opted to walk down the street instead of up.

This is such a niche thing to geek out over, but I did just that while walking down the steps. It was a nice break from the traditional things that people see while on vacation. It’s a bit funky and a bit, pardon the pun, off the beaten path.

I say all of that, about seeing things that are not normal sights, and then here I am about to tell you that we went to a museum after that narrow street.

But it wasn’t just any museum! It was all about the Nobel Prize. Specifically, it housed artifacts and other belongings from the winners of the various prizes.

Yes, my wearing my hometown LA Galaxy jersey was deliberate. I remember the frenzy and wild times Zlatan Ibrahimović brought to the Galaxy, so I decided to honor him and represent my team. It did not go unnoticed either. MLS, making waves across the globe! No longer seen as a retirement league!

We opted for the guided tour led by a docent. We were each given earpieces and radio packs that synced with the docent’s microphone. This way, they did not have to shout or talk loudly to the group to discuss what we were seeing. They spoke at a normal, conversational volume, and we could hear them in our ears. I am surprised that I had not experienced anything like that before. It’s so simple and effective.

As the docent led us around the exhibits, we saw a bicycle, medical equipment, a scarf, and even half of a desk. Each item is important to the recipient of a Nobel Prize in some fashion. Some were more literal, while others were more symbolic. For example, there was a doctor’s bag donated by Harvey Alter that he used while practicing, and Malala Yousafzai donated the scarf that she wore while speaking at the United Nations about education as a right for all children.

It is not a large space, by any means, but wandering around and seeing items donated by some of the most important people to have contributed to the world really illustrates the global impact one person can have.

After our tour was over, and we had exhausted our eyes poring over memorabilia, it was time to head outside and continue our walk through Old Town.

I think I instinctively knew that Stockholm had a lot of waterways, but seeing them in person was another thing entirely. It also didn’t hurt that the weather was absolutely brilliant, with a cloud-dotted sky and water combined, which made for a picturesque day in the city.

We walked past the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet), some other cute, multicolored streets, and then to one of the many bridges that connect Old Town to downtown.

After our walk across some bridges and down some streets, it was time for us to drive back to our lodging. It really was a great way to end the day. The sun was “setting” (again, Land of the Midnight Sun and all), and I could not wait to see what our next day would bring.

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17/02/2026
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Europe, Finland, Scandinavia, Sweden, Travel

Three Days in Turku: A Wedding, Walking, and Wading in the Water

When I first heard of my partner’s Finnish friend, who is actually from Finland and not a thrice-removed descendant or what have you, I thought of the line from Confessions of a Shopaholic: “No one checks up on Finland.”

Jokes aside, I know Finland is famous for Nokia, Teemu Selänne, The Hydraulic Press Channel, Saunas, and being known as “The Happiest Country in the World.” I’ve checked up on Finland before.

Our journey to Finland started in Denmark. The day after we visited Tivoli Gardens, we rented a car and began our drive to Stockholm. A little aside here: we were given the choice between a gas-powered car and an EV (electric vehicle). We both drive EVs at home, so we were familiar with their handling and feel. We were unsure about the infrastructure across Scandinavia, but the rental car company assured us the countries we were visiting would have ample charging options.

It would also be cheaper.

Cheaper is good!

As we drove out of Denmark and into Sweden, we began to notice something. We noticed how clean the roads were. We are so accustomed to driving down any freeway and seeing trash, debris, or full-on abandoned cars on the side of the road. We did not see much, if any, of that. Nor did we encounter many speeders. We were told that people obey the rules of the road because they could be fined heavily for speeding or reckless driving. If only our law enforcement had the same bite, but they seem to lack the teeth to carry out such things.

Our initial trepidation of finding adequate charging along our way to Stockholm was folly, in hindsight. There were plenty of places to charge. Bill & Ted would be stoked to hear that Circle K has a robust network of charging stations. They also carry a great selection of candy and snacks. Oh, and their restrooms were some of the cleanest I have ever seen! No bull.

Drive down The 5 (that’s the main concrete artery connecting Northern and Southern California) and stop at any gas or refueling station and use their restrooms. You will be taken aback at the upkeep and cleanliness of those rooms if you’ve been to any Scandinavian gas station restroom. Hell, I remember the same feeling when we went to the UK, and I went into a Service station for the first time. We are doing it all wrong over here.

After driving all day and into the early evening, we finally made it to Stockholm and our accommodation. From there, it would be a straight shot to Arlanda Airport the following morning.

Let me tell you, as someone who frequents airports, Arlanda is one of the most efficient ones I have ever been to. I have grown accustomed to long lines, differing rules for bags and items, and a general sense of mild, controlled chaos when travelling through US airports. Almost everything is digital now. We scanned our passports and our boarding passes, and we were given the green light to proceed. As we approached the security line, we saw numerous television screens showing us how to place our items in bins; the bins would then slide down a conveyor belt, through an X-ray machine, and pop out the other side. Seems pretty simple, right? Try telling that to LAX TSA and see where that takes you. (JK, Please don’t. That airport suuuucks, and they already know it.)

The flight from Stockholm to Turku takes 55 minutes. That is such a quick, short flight that only a small plane is needed. We hopped on this twin-propeller plane and settled in for a nice ride over the northern part of the Baltic Sea.

Upon Arrival in Turku, we both had our passports ready for inspection. We walked through the small airport and saw two lines: things to declare or nothing to declare. We both had nothing to declare and walked through. No one stamped our passports (sad), and we walked straight outside into the Finnish sunshine.

Turku Airport is small. I mean, we just zipped through customs without so much as a second look and made it outside. We then waited for a taxi and watched as people trickled in and out of the parking lot.

Our ride into Turku took about 20 minutes, and in summer, we saw lush greenery lining the roadside. Some massive trees were lining the roadside, too. It made for a pleasant entry into Finland.

Our hotel was right on the Aura River. It was within walking distance of the reception and wedding venue. And let me tell you, this whole downtown area, especially on the river, is extremely walkable. There were also plenty of e-scooters and e-bikes to rent. We always love a good scoot, so when presented with the opportunity, we took it.

We deliberately didn’t pack any wedding-related clothes, shoes, or anything else, because we didn’t want to carry extra stuff until we had to. This meant that we had to go shopping! Luckily for us, there was a mall nearby. We wandered the stores, looking for clothes, and eventually found items for both of us. The real treat came when I was in H&M and found a shirt featuring my hometown, Pasadena, California.

It unfortunately was the wrong size for me, and the only one on the rack, so it had to stay in Turku.

That night, we went to a friends-and-family reception from out of town at a local museum. We did come prepared for that event, and after returning from the mall, we showered, changed, and then hopped on some scooters.

The Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is a museum of archaeology and contemporary art. It is lauded as Finland’s only archaeological museum, featuring an underground town quarter from centuries ago. You will see the remains of a Convent and numerous homes that lined the street, which is the same street directly above, all those years ago.

It truly is a remarkable museum. The attention to detail, the presentation, and the interactive bits add depth and dimension to the history you are walking through.

The contemporary art exhibits were interesting in their own right, but were not nearly as captivating as the archaeological museum below. This led us back downstairs to walk through the ruins a second time.

After the welcome reception, we took a walk along the river to find some food.

See that photo above? That’s the Turku Cathedral, taken at 9:21 PM. The sun was still very much up and playing with our minds. Because if you saw that photo, you’d probably think it was early afternoon. Au contraire, mon frère. They don’t call these regions the “Land of the Midnight Sun” for no reason. The sun barely hovered over the horizon, leaving slivers of daylight for our entire visit to Turku. An eye mask that blocks out light is essential for sleeping!

We ended up finding a pizza spot near the cathedral that really hit the spot. After dinner, we walked back to our hotel. The sun was still doing its thing, and people were taking advantage of the perfect weather. Locals were parked on blankets, dotting the grass alongside the river, and diners & drinkers were revelling in their own merriment. There were also several restaurant-boats. That’s where most of the drinkers could be found and heard.

Turku knows how to party!

The day of the wedding, we did some more walking and some last-minute wedding attire shopping. We went to the mall, again, and then wandered outside, through a public market, and then back down to the river.

I had never heard of Turku before finding out we were going there for this wedding. I have to say, the city is extremely charming and welcoming. It also happened to be the same weekend as a heavy metal music festival, so the town was even more populated than usual.

IMG_7475.heic

The wedding was wonderful and was quite boozy 👍. It was half in English and the other half in Finnish. I had only learned a few phrases thanks to Duolingo, and I waited all weekend for someone to ask me if I was a wizard so I could respond: Minä olen velho. I am a wizard. Alas, no one asked me. Sad!

All I could do was say “Kiitos” and “Paljeon onnea!” and those three words got me very far. And by “very far,” I mean I could say thank you and wish the married couple lots of luck. Side note: everywhere we went in town, people would first speak to me in Finnish; I would stare at them politely and say I did not understand; then they would speak in perfect English. This same thing actually happened in each Scandinavian country we visited. I guess my Danish heritage makes me blend in.

The Finnish man, they party. After dinner and well into the evening (although it didn’t look like it because of the Midnight Sun), the party was still raging. The band kept playing, and people kept dancing. It was one of the most joyful weddings I have been to. They even had vegan hot dogs served close to midnight to keep everyone fed and happy. We had a dog, and then realized how tired we were. The night was no longer young. We needed to sleep.

Our walk back was pretty wonderful. There was another party boat that went by, and there were still people out and about enjoying the weather. How do they do it? If I were ten years younger, maybe more, I could hang. *sigh*

The next morning, the out-of-town guests all met for a day at the sauna. We loaded onto a bus and were whisked away to a little idyllic hideaway that provided the perfect cleanse for the long night before.

I can’t recall the last time I was in a sauna. I certainly had never done a cold plunge after a sauna, that’s for sure. I feel like cold plunges have exploded in popularity over the last few years. The water surrounding the Nordic countries provides the perfect cold plunge, or I would soon find out.

I have never been one for the heat. I sweat way too easily, even in mild temperatures. That’s not to say I prefer the cold; I handle it better than the heat. It’s not uncommon for me to be in shorts when it’s in the 40s. I run hot! All that to say that the sauna was a bit arduous for me. It was barely getting steamy, and I was sweating like I was being paid to do it. After getting nice and sweaty, it was time to get in the water.

The water was a bit far from the sauna, but that made the experience something more memorable. We had to hurry to get to and from the sauna and then lower ourselves into the water because it was just shallow enough that you could not tell where the bottom was.

While most people dipped in and kept close to the ladder, I went far and really waded out. To me, the water was pleasant. Don’t get me wrong, it was cold, but I could handle it. I outlasted everyone who joined me in the water. Hustling back and forth from the sauna to the water became the activity for the day, and it was perfect. I don’t think I realized how relaxing this activity could be and how it can help your body reset.

The afternoon had to end at some point. We all said our goodbyes and then made our way back to our hotel. We took one last walk along the river before going back and drank it all in. Turku was good to us. Finland was great to us.

The next morning was an early one. We had to return to Turku Airport for our flight back to Stockholm. We definitely arrived way too early at the airport. We were able to check in and everything, but the post-security cafe was just opening after we cleared security. Again, we are so accustomed to a cluster F of an airport/security that we arrived early. There isn’t a whole lot of action at Turku International Airport so early in the morning. Still, we noticed a fair few business travelers and those leaving town after the music festival.

When all was said and done, I don’t think I could have planned a better weekend away in Turku. It also didn’t hurt that we were celebrating two people that we care about deeply.

As you get older, your friends become your chosen family, and it’s important to celebrate with them whenever the occasion arises. If that means flying to remote towns in Finland, you gotta do it. Your life will be better for it.

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10/02/2026
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Denmark, Europe, Scandinavia, Travel

2 Gardens 2 Copenhagen: Visiting Botanical and Tivoli

There’s a line spoken early on in 2 Fast 2 Furious, where the cars are lining up and ready to start the race, and then Ludacris walks out. You can tell the air is thick with humidity and anticipation, and he yells, “Fire ’em up!”

That’s how we approached our last full day in Copenhagen. We were anticipating a full day of being on our feet again. The rain had made its way through and left us with blue skies and sunny days ahead. Fire ’em up!

Our initial plan was to hit the ground running upon landing in Copenhagen. I mentioned that before, but not the part about it being meant to include our visit to Tivoli Gardens. We thought that we would be better served by going to the amusement park and staying up as long as possible. Thank the gods we decided against that. Firstly, you’ll remember, it was raining. Secondly, we cut our day short and took a nap. If that was us in Tivoli, I dare not think about that because I am sure we’d all be cranky before the sun began to set.

With our previous outings mostly indoors, we opted for activities that would bring us out into the sunshine. So, to complement our afternoon trip to Tivoli Gardens, we first visited the Botanical Garden.

My future mother-in-law said, while we were walking around, that she always felt it was a great idea to visit a botanical garden in whatever country you were visiting. It’s hard to find fault with that statement. I’ve enjoyed gardens in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, England, and now Denmark. It’s a great way to see what local flora and also what international flora grows in different climates.

In Copenhagen, the main Botanical Garden is a free attraction open to all. There is an additional charge to enter one of the greenhouses, but I say it’s worth the price of admission. This is a truly great place to wander and get lost. The weather on the day we visited was perfect, and many other people were taking in the sights. You will probably need to ditch your jacket as you enter some of the greenhouses, as they get a bit warm (as one would expect).

There was a lot to take in, so I’m going to follow this up with a gallery of some of the things we saw.

Look at this lawn. It’s a massive space of sod. What is not pictured are the robot lawnmowers. Completely autonomous, like a robo vacuum for your house or apartment, but this time they were trimming the greens. I, honestly, had not seen one before. They do a pretty good job! I welcome clean, trimmed lawns from our robot overlords.

After spending what we felt was enough time at the Botanical Garden, it was time for us to venture back into the city. There is a train stop directly across from the garden, so it made it very easy to travel through the city. We ventured back to the shopping street and were doing some window shopping until the aforementioned future mother-in-law saw something at the Bang & Olufsen shop that caught her eye. Not wanting to wait around, we left my partner’s parents at the store and headed on our way.

We really wanted to get to Tivoli Gardens.

Another quick trip on the train, and boom, we were at Tivoli Gardens.

After a 1951 visit, Walt Disney reportedly fell in love with Tivoli and its atmosphere. The rest of that story is widely known, and now we have Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney properties in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

There is still only one Tivoli. It is wholly unique and magical in its own right.

The first thing that struck me was how immersive the space felt. We walked down a set of stairs, and the city around us disappeared. We became enveloped in the park.

It was also incredibly clean.

I have become so accustomed to the lines and seemingly endless queues at Disney and Universal parks back home that I was pleasantly surprised and found the Tivoli queues refreshing. I don’t think we waited longer than 30 minutes in line for any ride. And guess what? The Copenhagen Card covers admission into the park. We only had to purchase a ride pass. This allowed us to ride any ride. Otherwise, you can pick and choose which rides you’d like to ride and pay accordingly.

We made our way around the park little by little, making sure to do as many rides as possible. Some were geared more towards smaller children, but we rode them anyway. Fun knows no age limit.

I found the theming and overall design of the park to be rather wonderful. It truly felt like a diversion. So often, when we visit parks back home, we are pressured to do everything because of the cost of admission. That can take away the joy of being there. I never felt that while we walked around Tivoli. Sure, I wanted to do as much as possible, but not at the expense of my own enjoyment of the day.

While we were standing in line for the wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen, we came across a plaque congratulating the coaster for still being in operation. It is one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still in operation worldwide. The plaque commemorates its existence and operation. I think that’s pretty cool. When I think of wooden coasters, like this, I remember them being traditionally seen on boardwalks, think Santa Cruz or Coney Island, and to see one still working, thousands of miles from home, over 100 years later, is remarkable.

After my future in-laws made their way to the park, it was time to indulge in some eats.

Do you remember going to an amusement park as a child and kind of dreading the food options? I do. Well, maybe “dreading” is the wrong word, but I never felt like my choices were, well, a choice. It was burgers, pizza, popcorn, chicken tenders, and a giant ass turkey leg for some reason. Now, granted, this (minus the turkey leg) was my main diet as a pre-teen and tween, so I had nothing to truly complain about.

Except for the quality. The quality was always the issue.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, I’ve felt the food landscape at amusement parks change. Those initial offerings still exist, but they also offer elevated versions as well. The corporations figured out they could charge the hell out of food if they made it sound a little fancier, with a “Brewhouse” burger, a Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, or clam chowder in a bread bowl. Now I just complain about the prices and the quality (at times).

All of those words to say, we ate at a Gasoline Grill in the park, and I found it to be one of the best burgers I’ve eaten. Scouts honor. We also got some soft serve, and that also hit the spot.

Our appetites satiated, it was time to continue our way through the park. There were a couple of rides my partner just wouldn’t do, so I did them alone. One that twisted and turned me in every single direction while strapped into a seat. Another that slowly raised me above the city skyline and then dropped me. Then there was a haunted house that I walked through that legitimately scared me because real people popped out and interacted with you/scared the crap out of you.

Then it was time to feed the ducks! Stationed around one of the ponds was a coin-operated bird food dispenser. We put in a Krone or several, and out came a handful of bird food. We ate, so why shouldn’t they?

Our night ended at one of the restaurants in the park. It was unlike any other amusement park restaurant that I had been to before, in that there were people dressed in suits and business wear dining at tables opposite us. Someone was overdressed, and it sure as hell wasn’t us. We, the hoi polloi, know how to dine at an amusement park. Yes, I’ll have a Pepsi Max with my steak au poivre, please.

Our bellies full again, and our legs and bodies sufficiently tired, it was time to head out.

It was a really fun way to spend the afternoon. We were able to ride every ride that we wanted to, and then some. We also sat, relaxed, and took in the beauty of Tivoli. I had no idea what to expect as I walked onto the park grounds, and I left knowing this would be one of the memories I would cherish most because the park evoked a true sense of joy and enthusiasm, unburdened by intellectual property or influencers.

Tivoli is a unique experience and one that should not be missed.

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03/02/2026
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Denmark, Europe, Scandinavia, Travel

Exploring Copenhagen: A Rainy Day Adventure

After our arrival and subsequent adventure after landing, it was time for a proper exploration of Copenhagen.

As I went through my photos of our trip, I noticed that we did a lot of sightseeing. Our first day was surprisingly wet. It was June, and yet the rain was falling, and the weather was chilly. I am so used to no rain in June or some rain, but then it’s also humid, so you don’t need a raincoat as much as you need an umbrella. I made that mistake while living in Brisbane, Australia. Then again, I was a dumb 20-year-old who didn’t pack an umbrella for my months-long study-abroad session but did bring reams of paper for my classes. Make that make sense. (It’s so I wouldn’t have to buy any supplies once I arrived!) Anyway…

It rained. It rained almost the entire day.

Cue the Annie Lennox. Here comes the rain again.

Rain can play several illusions on our minds. It can make something deep look shallow. It can make something look smooth when, in fact, it’s bumpy. It can also make you think, “This isn’t that bad. I can handle this.” Then immediately find someplace dry to hide out for a moment as you gather yourself and decide where you are headed next.

Popping out of the train station and wandering to the city’s main shopping street, Strøget, made us reflect on how dry we’d like to be. This prompted us to wander into various stores and peruse their wares even if we had no intention of buying anything. I was, though, on the hunt for a Danish national team soccer jersey. I like to collect soccer jerseys from countries I’ve visited, and I wanted a Danish jersey. Popping in and out of stores, we made our way, eventually, to a strange sight: a store for rubber ducks.

When I tell you that they had a duck for every occasion, I mean it. Birthday duck, they got it. Graduation duck, yeah. Star Wars duck, duh. Mermaid duck, Hans, yes. These ducks made for great tiny gifts for friends and family back home that wouldn’t take up space in our luggage.

After garnering a gaggle of rubber waterfowl, it was time to head to our intended destination: the Museum of Illusions. Entrance to this museum was included with our purchase of the all-important Copenhagen Card. As I have aged, I have come to appreciate the value of museums. As a child, I loathed going to them. Natural history? Yawn. Art? Gag me with a spoon. Now, as an adult and member of society, I have come to find them engaging and important (as they were always meant to be). As a child, I just didn’t see the point in them. I am also educated enough to know when I like something and when I don’t. I’m looking at you, pretentious modern art!

The Museum of Illusions is a grand experience. It offers a hands-on way to see how things can trick our minds. The subtle ways in which our perspective can change how we view an object are examined here. It really is a fun place for people of all ages. I am going to share a mini gallery of some of the things we encountered there. Some of them I could not photograph because the perspective of my cameraphone did not do the illusion justice. Gah! Still, it was an enjoyable way to spend our morning.

Click on the images to get a better look at the illusions.

Even with the photos I shared above, some don’t match up. You’ll have to go for yourself and see them in person. Oh darn!

After taking our brains on a walk with us through the museum, it was time for us to head back outdoors and into the rain. We knew our next adventure was coming, so that was a plus. Our legs had done a lot of work so far, and we needed a break. The next activity for us would be a waterway tour of Copenhagen.

Luckily for us, the boats were covered.

What followed was a wonderful trip around the town. We went through the canals and were treated to Copenhagen from a new perspective.

What followed was a relaxing, informative, and very dry (in both the physical and humorous senses) tour of Copenhagen. We saw beautiful buildings, ancient archways, and the boat Chef Carmy and Marcus lived on for the TV show The Bear.

It really was something to see the city from the water. You can really see how waterways and the ocean influence and shape a culture and a country. There is also something about being by the ocean, isn’t there? The air feels cleaner. The breeze is a tad salty. The ocean is never to be trifled with. Always respected. The Danes, Vikings, and Scandinavians as a whole live by cold ocean waters and have built thriving societies. WTF are we doing back home?

That last paragraph went a bit awry, didn’t it? Anyway, as the tour went on, we passed the Little Mermaid statue again, and even our guide said it’s disappointing in person. We also saw how colorful the houses and buildings are in the area. Vibrant oranges, pastel yellows, and deep reds pop off the walls and draw your eyes in.

I confess, those last two photos were not taken from the boat. This is just a super-famous row of buildings that underscores my earlier point about the colorful buildings seen from the water.

The rain was still falling as we walked the streets after our tour. The weather was giving “Let’s have a pint” vibes. I mean, at least it was for us. I can’t say the same for my partner’s parents. But seriously, where else were they going to go? We bring the fun everywhere we go.

That brings us to our next stop, Carlsberg Brewery.

Carlsberg might not be the most recognizable beer in the States, but it is one of the most successful beers worldwide. The tour was also included with our Copenhagen Card. Pro tip: Advanced bookings are required!

We went on an interactive, informative guided tour that took us through some of the original buildings of the first brewery. It was really something to wander the building and see where it all began. And also to see just how cramped the spaces were! They packed a lot into a tight space.

As we wove our way through the tour, we also observed some multimedia elements. Actors portraying the founders and other brewery members appeared on screen, recounting the history and brewing process of Carlsberg. I think it was a nice element that added some realism to the tour. Instead of just reading, we were presented with living memories through texts and letters from the past.

After hearing about the past, we moved into a more physical space. These were some of the coolest things, in my opinion. There was this one sculpture made from old Carlsberg bottles that resembled a pillar. Was is structrually sound? Most definitely not, but it looked nice.

There is one reason Carlsberg is truly known around the world: sports. Specifically, soccer (football). For several years, they were the front shirt sponsor of Liverpool FC, the nemesis of my beloved Everton. The tour has an entire room dedicated to Liverpool. Jerseys, photos, and replica trophies littered the space. And I mean “littered”. I took one look at the red and hurried through the room. They’re a storied club, and I respect their success, but I also would be lying if I said I didn’t envy it. Being an Everton supporter is like a never-ending, undulating rollercoaster. You never quite reach the top or the bottom, but there are many peaks and valleys along the way.

After passing the Kopites, we found ourselves in a collector’s dream.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of bottles were illuminated in shelving in this “bottle shop” (if you will). The entire space showcases a range of Carlsberg brands and styles, along with bottles collected from around the world! I am certain you could spend hours in there poring over the various vessels. The photo above is but a small taste of the selection on hand.

After all of the walking and learning, it was time for a much-needed, celebratory beer. One beer per person (of-age adult) comes with the admission. From this bartop, you could enjoy a pint and take in the stables that were next door.

This was a great way to end the tour. The space is welcoming. The vibes are chill. The beer is delicious. (They do have other, non-beer-related drinks available for those who do not drink beer) The horses were, neigh are, wondrous creatures. The space provided a much-needed respite to enjoy the beer and our surroundings, and to ruminate on the brewery’s history.

As I sort through my photos of our first full day in Copenhagen, I thought that this was the last thing we did. I could have sworn we went on this tour, then had dinner nearby, and then headed back to the hotel.

Well, we did all of that plus some more walking!

Our final jaunt of the day took us to the Amalienborg Palace. It is the official home for the Danish royal family. Not much was happening as we walked the grounds, but if you time it right, you can observe the changing of the Royal Guard. There is also a museum on site that provides a look into the rooms of recent members of the Monarchy. And guess what? That is also included with the Copenhagen Card!

The thing pays for itself pretty quickly. If you take one thing away from my trip to Copenhagen, it is to get the Copenhagen Card.

Across the water, and beyond the fountain, is the Opera House. The Opera House could also be seen from our boat tour, but to see it directly across from the palace was a (I’m assuming deliberate) sight to behold.

This was a lot. We jammed what probably could have been two days into one. But that is what happens when you have a limited amount of time in a city. The next day would be our last full day, and then the trip would shift to a road trip of Swedish meatball-sized proportions.

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20/01/2026
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Denmark, Europe, Scandinavia, Travel

Nordic 101: Intro to Scandinavia – Let’s Go to Denmark!

Europe has largely been a continent that I have not explored. Until our trip to the UK and Ireland in 2024, I had only been to Spain way back in 2004. Back then, I could not (legally) drink, nor could I venture out much on my own since I was with a school group. Did I go to an English pub with a classmate and watch England in the Euros, taking place next door in Portugal, one night? Who can say.

Flash forward to me as an adult, and I am now getting out and around!

My partner has a former work colleague who is Finnish, and she was going to get married in Finland during the summer of 2025. With that in mind, we started to craft our own adventure through Scandinavia before and after the wedding.

At one point, there was a subplot about me possibly picking up a new car in Germany, driving it around Scandinavia, and then back to Germany, where it would be shipped home. That turned out to be crazy. Mostly because it just would not make any sense to do that. And because I decided to buy a car locally.

My future father-in-law spent time in Stockholm as an exchange student. In turn, he also housed some Swedish kids back in California. He has kept in touch with his former hosts and waxes poetic about his time in Sweden. My partner’s parents were already discussing a trip back to Sweden to visit those people and places, so when we learned of our exact dates, those two trips became one.

After that was ironed out, our adventure eventually turned into a road trip.

There really is only one airline when flying to and from Scandinavia: SAS. I mean, Scandinavia is in their name: Scandinavian Airlines System. Sure, there’s Finnair or Norwegian (except they don’t fly in the States anymore), but SAS will take you all over.

We ended up flying to Seattle and had a long layover there that was hair-pulling at times. I’m looking at you, baggage locker place! Your hours are not followed. Your entire team disappears for lunch, leaving no one behind the counter. Then, when we came back (as we were told that we could come back whenever), we had to wait for someone to show up and unlock the shop! GAH!

The movie you see on the screen, The Roundup: Punishment, was one of the movies I watched on the flight. I hadn’t put two and two together until I was watching the opening credits that I had actually watched The Roundup way back in 2023 on our way to New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup. I had to continue the series!

After nine hours and eleven minutes, give or take, of flying, we landed in Copenhagen. Full disclosure, I had a great-grandparent who immigrated from Denmark to the US a long, long time ago. This was my first trip to the “motherland”.

As I approached the customs agent, a sense of dread filled me. Existential, clearly improbable scenarios filled my mind. What if I were denied entry? What if my great-grandfather was deported from Denmark, and I, carrying his surname, was in turn not allowed in? It would be like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, only in CPH. What actually happened was the agent asked me why I was in Denmark, I told him about our trip, and then I was let in.

Sidenote: I miss getting physical stamps in my passport. They were a fun part of my travels that is now extinct, mainly due to the advent of technology.

While we were waiting for our bags, we started planning our journey to the hotel. Seeing that the city is pretty accessible by public transit, we went with that. Now, here is something that we discovered before leaving that saved us a ton of money in Copenhagen.

It’s the Copenhagen Card. I’m linking it because it was such a game-changer for us. The card offers you savings and various discounts at points of interest in Copenhagen over a period of time. We opted for the Discover Copenhagen Card. It costs 559 Danish Krone or 75 Euros and gives you unlimited access to all public transit and free access to 80+ attractions throughout the city. We were going to be in town for three days, so we selected 72 hours of fun. All you do is show the card; it can be kept on your phone, at spots across the city, and they let you in! The money saved from entry fees at museums and tours was worth the 75 Euros.

We collected our bags and easily made our way to the train. The train was busy, I mean, it’s an airport, but by no means was it an insurmountable crowd. I love getting on a train in another country. There is something about watching the countryside or city zip by the window that brings me joy.

When we popped up streetside at our stop, it was something to behold. The weather was perfect. We walked a little bit to our hotel, but it was worth it. We saw some truly unique and distinct architecture. It felt retro and futuristic at the same time. The dichotomy of metal and glass next to brick facades creates this ultra-urban factory-meets-residential vibe.

I forgot to mention how clean the city was! I am from a place where there is trash nearly everywhere. Even if it’s a small amount, it’s there. I did not see 1% as much trash walking around as I do when I am home or in other big cities across the States. I do understand that this might be the norm across the city, and there are probably parts that are dirtier than others, but compared to home, it beats it soundly.

Since there were four of us, deciding what to eat could be difficult. This is what makes local markets so essential to find while traveling. They have stalls with different local shops. From produce and cheese to fishmongers and butchers, there is something for everyone.

TorvehallerneKBH was our destination. It is known to locals and tourists alike. We saw many people with luggage wandering about, as well as many families taking in the sunny day and welcoming space.

Even after doing a full lap, it was challenging to make a decision! There were options on options. We eventually settled on fish & chips paired with the local Mikkeller beer. (I’ve actually had Mikkeller before, but at their downtown Los Angeles shop *RIP*, but there is something about having a local beer)

No meal is complete without a bit of dessert! After dinners with my grandma, she would always say, “You’re full of this kind of food” in reference to dinner food, and then we would go to Baskin-Robbins for a scoop. With those words forever in my mind, we found ice cream.

We consumed a fair amount of calories during this lunch. That meant a walk was in order.

Our original plan was to hit the ground running and do as much as possible to combat the jet lag. That was folly. We finished our dessert and then decided to head back to our hotel and reassess our plans. A nap was in the cards, and then we would set out about town.

Jet lag is a real mother.

With the Copenhagen Card, train rides were included, making it a no-brainer to use trains to the max. That meant it would be easy for us to go back to our hotel and take a nap. It was a quick ride back and a short walk to our hotel. Seriously, I am jealous of Copenhagen’s public transit. And the bike usage. I wish where I lived prioritized that over car culture.

But that’s another ball of wax to unravel at another time.

After waking up, we decided that our next stop was the Little Mermaid statue. I was warned that the statue was a bit underwhelming. I responded by saying that I’ve seen Plymouth Rock. That’s just a random rock, not even the one they “landed” on. Still, the statue was disappointing, but it sits in a gorgeous location.

There were numerous people around the waterfront snapping photos of the statue. I looked at it and went, “Yup, that’s a statue all right,” and took my own picture.

Then the walk continued.

We ambled down the waterfront and took in the views of the Kastellet. It’s a 17th-century fortress shaped like a star, complete with ramparts and a few bridges. We did not venture onto the grounds because it was getting dark, and we were looking for a place to rest our feet.

After gazing upon the fountain and statues, my future father-in-law found us a place for dinner. It was not far from where we were standing, and it had stellar reviews.

The Pescatarian sits on the corner and invites you down below the street. It also just so happened to be the day of the Royal Run. An event where people, including the royal family, run either a 1.6, 5, or 10km through the streets of Copenhagen. The restaurant looked to be in the middle of the action (earlier in the day, no one was running this late into the night), and crews were packing up barricades and signage from the race.

No one was expecting a five or six-course meal when we walked in. I don’t even remember the last time I ate a meal that was this expertly prepared and presented. I am also not one to constantly take photos of my food, but I had to at this point. “For the ‘Gram as they say.” Or, in my case, for my website, which a handful of people will read and see.

The meal was finished, and our appetites were satiated. The next thing was to get back to our hotel. My partner and I really enjoy taking scooters and bikes around towns. It is a fun way to travel. There’s nothing quite like the wind in your face and hair as you ride down a city street. If you do scoot, just be mindful of the rules of the road and the traffic. We found some e-bikes and then made our way back. The sun was nearly set on our first day in Scandinavia.

All in all, it was a great way to start our trip.

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