Denmark Car Hire Denmark Campervan Hire
Best known for its large dogs and Viking warriors, Denmark is a small, prosperous and highly functional kingdom in northern Europe that is often overlooked by travellers on their “grand tour”, although it has one of the highest standards of living in the world and plenty of charming experiences to offer visitors. It is almost totally surrounded by water, consisting as it does of the Jutland Peninsula and 482 islands. Its only land border is with Germany. The country’s capital city, lovely and lively Copenhagen, occupies the biggest of the offshore islands. With all the water it is not surprising that Denmark is very reliant on shipping and fishing; the country also has an important agricultural sector, though, and is famed in particular for its dairy products. Lovers of butter and cheese will enjoy a taste of Denmark!

Denmark boasts small green farms, blue lakes and white coastal beaches, the rural areas sprinkled with thatched cottages, castles and windmills across a gentle landscape which lends itself well to cycle touring. The cities are modern and bustling, but an air of medieval charm has been preserved in old sections of colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. The country boasts 280 museums, most of the important ones in Copenhagen, including the Viking Ship Museum that is devoted to honouring Denmark’s bold ancient mariners.

Other special attractions include the annual summer music festival in Roskilde, which is one of the largest in Europe; the Tivoli Gardens amusement park which has entertained crowds in Copenhagen since 1843; and one of the world’s longest bridges, which spans 10 miles (16km), joining Denmark to Sweden.

The country is compact with an excellent road and rail transport system, and numerous ferry connections to the myriad offshore islands. It all adds up to a very civilised destination, as sweet and tempting as the rich, flaky pastry treats that the world has come to know as the ‘Danish’

Basics:
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. European-stye, round, two-pin plugs are standard.

Money: Danish currency is the Krone (DKr), made up of 100 øre. Notes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. ATM’s are liberally sprinkled throughout the country, and all major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are welcome at banks and hotels, and most restaurants and shops. Most banks are not open at weekends, however Copenhagen has several bureaux de change which stay open late at night, seven days a week.

Language: Danish is the official language, but English is understood and widely used.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay, as well as tickets and documents for return or onward travel. Visitors should also have at least US$30 per day to fund their intended stay, unless a Danish citizen meets them at the airport and officially vouches for them. Denmark is a signatory to the Schengen agreement, which also includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.

Health: There are no specific health risks in Denmark, and medical facilities are first class. There is a small risk of tick-borne encephalitis in forested or rural areas during summer, and insect protection is advised. Free emergency treatment is available to all foreign visitors at public hospitals, and due to a reciprocal health agreement UK passport holders receive free medical and hospital treatment. To make use of this service, UK national should carry a completed E111 form, available free of charge from most UK post-offices. In emergency, dial 112 for an ambulance.


Tipping: Restaurant and hotel bills are inclusive of service charges, as are taxi fares.

Safety: Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free, and crime levels are low. During the tourist season, however, muggers, pickpockets and bag-snatchers become active especially in crowded areas and on the train station in Copenhagen. Visitors should take precautions to keep personal belongings safe.

Customs: The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).There are no city codes. There are several GSM mobile telephone networks, which have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards. Internet cafes are available in most urban areas.

Communications: The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).There are no city codes. There are several GSM mobile telephone networks, which have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards. Internet cafes are available in most urban areas.

Climate: Denmark has a mild climate with no extremes of heat or cold. In the light summer months of June to August, the average daytime temperature is 66ºF(19ºC) and in the coldest month of February the average is 34ºF (1ºC). Being a coastal country Denmark can be rather wet and windy.

Car Rental If you like to drive and stay at hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, that is fine. We offer a choice of 6 companies offering budget vehicles, new vehicles and mini-buse. If you tell us your requirements we will happy prepare a quotation for you. See details here: Car Rent

Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen’s world-renowned Tivoli Gardens are ever so much more than just a central city park. The relatively small area in the heart of the city is actually one of the world’s most thrilling entertainment complexes, drawing about three million visitors during its five-month summer open season each year. Tivoli dates back to 1843 when Copenhagen was still a fortified city surrounded by tall ramparts and a deep moat. Today the Tivoli Lake is all that remains of the moat, which now reflects the incredible trademark fireworks displays that light the sky over the gardens twice a week. Tivoli is split in two, one section housing the beautiful miniature gardens where more than 100,000 flowers bloom, and the other the theme park with game arcades and thrill rides. Tivoli also boasts a concert hall and open-air stages where dozens of concerts, pantomimes and circus shows, many of them free, are offered during the season.

Address: Vesterbrogade 3; Telephone: 3315 1001; Website: www.tivoli.dk; Opening time: Open daily 11am to midnight, and until 1am Friday and Saturday (18 June to 15 August); Sunday to Wednesday 11am to 11pm, Thursday and Saturday 11am to midnight and until 1am on Saturdays (16 April to 17 June and 16 August to 19 September); Admission: General admission DKr 65 (adults), DKr35 (children 3-13); from 18 June to 15 August children pay DKr40. Ride tickets DK15 (1 to 4 tickets required per ride); special ride passes are available

Historical Museums
The rich history of Denmark, from Viking days through to the Second World War resistance movement, is encapsulated in fascinating collections of artefacts housed in a series of museums in and around Copenhagen. The Prince’s Palace in the city centre houses the National Museum (www.natmus.dk) covering Danish history in general and a collection of international antiquities. The open air museum a few miles north of the city makes for a fascinating excursion with its 100 or so buildings, most relocated from elsewhere in the country, set out to illustrate what life was like in rural Denmark in days of yore. Visitors can get up to date on the history of the city itself in the Copenhagen City Museum (www.bymuseum.dk), housed in the Royal Shooting Society’s palace dating from 1787.

The Copenhagen City Museum: Address: Vesterbrogade 59; Telephone: 3321 0772. Opening time:Closed Tuesdays all year. 10am to 4pm (May to September); 1pm to 4pm (October to April). Admission:DKr20 (adults), DKr10 (concessions), children under 14 free; Fridays free for all.

The National Museum: Address: Ny Vestergade 10; Telephone: 3313 4411. Opening time:Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Admission:DKr25 (adults), children under 16 free; free on Wednesday afternoons.

Open Air Museum: Address: Kongevejen 100, 2800 Kongens Lyngby; Telephone: 3313 4411. Opening time:Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (3 April and 30 September). Rest of the year Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (until 9pm on Thursdays throughout July); Admission:DKr25 (adults), children under 16 free; free on Wednesday afternoons.

Art Galleries
Copenhagen is a city with a proud heritage of art and design, well showcased in numerous museums and galleries as well as architecture. Among the most renowned collections are those housed in the popular Museum of Decorative Arts (traces the history of Danish design), the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (featuring world famous artists www.louisiana.dk), the National Gallery (more than 8,000 works dating from the 13th century to modern times www.smk.dk/smk.nsf/docs/splash) and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (antiquities, French impressionists and contemporary Danish art www.glyptoteket.dk).

Museum of Decorative Arts: Address: Bredgade 68. Telephone: 3318 5656, Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 4pm, weekends 12pm to 4pm. Admission: DKr40 (adults).

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Address: Gl. Strandvej 13, Humlebæk. Telephone: 4919 0719, Daily 10am to 5pm, with late opening to 10pm on Wednesdays. Admission: DKr74 (adults), DKr20 (children 3-16), DKr67 (concessions).

National Gallery: Address: Sølvgade 48-50. Telephone: 3374 8494, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 8pm. Admission: DKr50 (adults).

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: Dantes Plads 7; Telephone: 3341 8141, 10am to 4pm (parts of the museum will be closed for renovation until mid-2006); Admission: DKr20 (adults), children free


Nyhavn Canal
The picturesque historic Nyhavn Canal, dating from 1673 when it was built to connect the inner city to the sea, is today colloquially known as the ‘longest bar in Scandinavia’. This is because the pretty pastel-painted old townhouses that line the canal are fronted with numerous restaurants, pubs and cafes, full of action and entertainment 24 hours a day. The canal itself is crammed with old wooden sailing ships, adding to the atmosphere. Tourists enjoy not only the hospitality establishments along the canal but also visit the house at No.20 Nyhavn, home of famous fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote his first stories here between 1834 and 1838. Andersen later occupied two other houses in Nyhavn.


Rosenborg Castle
The attractive Dutch Renaissance style Rosenborg Castle was designed by King Christian IV and served as his home until he died in 1648. Today the Castle is an important cultural institution, acting as a public museum detailing the history of Denmark’s royal family as well as acting as repository for the Crown Jewels and royal regalia, which are kept in the castle cellars and can be viewed by the public. The magnificent castle gardens are a welcome retreat from the city hustle and bustle.

Address: Øster Voldgade 4; Telephone: 3315 3286; Website: www.rosenborg-slot.dk; Opening time: Open daily from 10am to 4pm during the summer season, and from 11am to 2pm during the winter months. Closed during Christmas week; Admission: Entry to the gardens is free. The castle: DKr60 (adults); DKr10 (children 5-14 years); DKr30 (concessions). Photos DKr20

CONTACTS:
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should you require consular help - here are the details
Danish Tourist Board, Copenhagen: +45 3311 1415 or www.visitdenmark.com
Royal Danish Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 4300
Royal Danish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7333 0200
Royal Danish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 1811
Royal Danish Consulate General, Sydney, Australia: +61 (0)2 9247 2224
Royal Danish Embassy, Cape Town, South Africa: +27 (0)21 419 6936
Royal Danish Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 475 6404
Royal Danish Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 0520
Embassy of the United States of America, Copenhagen: +45 3555 3144
British Embassy, Copenhagen: +45 3544 5200
Canadian Embassy, Copenhagen: +45 3348 3200
Australian Embassy, Copenhagen: +45 7026 3676
South African Embassy, Copenhagen: +45 3918 0155
Irish Embassy, Copenhagen: +45 3542 3233
New Zealand Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Denmark): +32 (0)2 512 1040
Emergencies: 112

AIRPORTS:
Copenhagen International Airport (CPH)
Location: Copenhagen Airport is sited 5 miles (8km) southeast of Copenhagen city centre.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +45 3231 3231.
Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle bus runs between Terminal 3, Terminal 2 (International) and Terminal 1 (domestic).
Transfer to the city: Buses, trains and taxis provide transport to Copenhagen city centre. Taxis can be hired from outside all arrival areas; fares include VAT and tips, and can normally be paid for by credit card. Train tickets are available from the ticket office above the railway station in Terminal 3.
Car rental: EuropCar, Hertz, Budget and Avis are among the companies represented at the airport.
Facilities: All terminals have banks, bars, restaurants, meeting rooms and Internet access. There are a wide variety of shops in the Copenhagen Airport Shopping Centre, including 48 'specialty' shops and 16 duty-free shops. There is a VAT refund desk for non-EU residents who are travelling to a non-EU destination. Disabled facilities are good, and children and those with special needs can make use of the Passenger Escort Service.
Parking: There is plenty of long and short term parking at the airport; fees depend on how far the parking is from the terminal. Parking is free in all car parks for up to 15 minutes. Departure tax: None. Website: www.cph.dk/cph/uk

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