Hygge in Copenhagen or Mothers and Sons

Every year my friend and I take our sons on a trip. It is always for a few days, just the four of us going to a different city. We have been to France to check out Paris. We have seen Hamburg, Germany and last February we flew to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Copenhagen is one of those cities, I was sure I would love, even before I ever stepped onto Danish ground. And I was right. It is the most charming, lovely and most feminine city I have ever been to. It is rather small in size, perfect for walking or bicycling. There are coffee shops, "butiks" and little shops full of surprises around every corner. After spending 3 days there I wanted to move there and become Danish!          

In winter, there are outdoor ice skating rings all over the city. It doesn't cost anything to skate there and not much to rent ice-skates. It looks like a lot of Danish children go there right after school is out. We had a blast. 

One great place to relax and warm up is this place:

Our sons were the only males in there. Everything else was girlish. The cupcakes, the decoration, the tiny tables and chairs, the other customers. They took it with grace...


Last two pictures by Tea-Time, Norrebro 

And then, there is the shopping. Lots of individual shops, fewer of the chain stores that are dominating other cities now:

We stayed at the SAS Hotel that Arne Jacobsen designed in 1960. Jacobsen was in charge of everything from the doorknobs to the flatware to the furniture. Son and his buddy made friends with a very nice hotel employee and were lucky enough to were shown "Room Nr. 606". This room has stayed the same since 1960, only the TV has been replaced, otherwise it is all Jacobsen. Same employee also told us that years ago, before people were as design conscious, the SAS Hotel was being renovated and most of the now famous "Egg", "Ant" and "Swan" chairs

were thrown in the trash. Can you imagine? Some employees took a few home and can now claim to have an "original Jacobsen"!

Son in a "Swan - Chair": 

   

Smorrebrod:

 Waiting for the Royal Guards:

While visiting Copenhagen we also found a new word: "Hygge". Hygge means "cosy" but it is much more than that. If I grasped it right it is the feeling you get when you are at a beautiful place with somebody you can have a nice conversation with. Maybe some cupcakes (pink ones, of course) and some coffee or wine? Maybe next to a fire place? With lit candles? 

We felt very hygge while in Copenhagen.