Captivating Copenhagen

Early fall is not too late for a visit to Copenhagen. A Michelin star restaurant on almost every corner, the city boasts 15 Michelin stars, cuisine is paramount. Noma, the new Nordic restaurant is almost impossible to reserve, named the World’s Best Restaurant three times. Center of designer products: glass, ceramics, furniture and it’s been reported to be the home of the happiest people on earth.

Tivoli_-_Main_entrance_Photographer_Cees_van_RoedenHalf the population of Copenhagen bike to work, and it is a wonderful way to explore the city. We love the Hotel D’Angleterre and reserved for many clients this summer. Close to Tivoli, opened in 1843, the world’s oldest amusement park is a well-loved attraction in Copenhagen.

Festive season Christmas and New Year’s is also a wonderful time to visit. A snowy white Christmas holiday isn’t guaranteed, but snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures are staples of winter. The city begins celebrating the season in mid November, decorated in only white lights, a very tasteful display during the festival season.

A sampling of exclusive activities:

A fun filled, thrilling day exploring the city by bike. Your wonderful guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and starting from your hotel, this day will be a comprehensive and fun look at the everyday life of’ Copenhageners’. The bike culture has existed for a hundred years and has greatly enhanced in the last decade to accommodate the approximate 35 % of the people working in the city center that will take their bike to work every day.

Your morning exploring is bound for an exciting cultural day of cycling, delicious Danish tastings of various sorts, art, photography, film and design. A day of exploring the ins and outs of Copenhagen by bike. Visit ‘The Wall’ to see how history is accessible on street level via new technology – also making it easy to share with those back home. You may even be able to upload your own pictures – explore through many of the city’s gems with your very knowledgeable guide by bike.

Lunch will be a combination of whizzing around the city tasting and collecting samples of various delicious Danish delights at local specialty cafes. Enjoy a picnic in one of the cities gardens, relax on blankets and indulge in some Danish treats as you watch Danes pass by. Enjoy a few tastings from some of the best bakeries, with sweet treats such as ”flødebolle”, pastries from Meyer, delicious coffee from Collective Sandwich and rye bread chips to name a few for your picnic lunch. If time permits you need to try licorice beer from a micro-brewery, perhaps with something salty – in true Scandinavian style!Nyhavn_Photographer_Wonderful_CopenhagenUrban design, architecture, fashion, furniture and industrial design is what you will explore next; the traditional, the first wave of international fame from the 1950’s and onwards and the 2nd wave, happening right now. A visit to the Danish Design Museum will give you examples of the development and visits to shops and galleries will show you what the Danes enjoying creating at the moment.

Cycle through Nørrebro and Vesterbro, for an interesting look at the two districts that were originally built for all the workers coming to Copenhagen during the industrial revolution, now home to students, up-and-coming designers and all those young people refusing to leave the city. Explore the Meatpacking District a few bohemian gems and discover a little Danish street art – a fun filled, in-depth look into Danish way of life. A ’sweet stop’ for some hard rock candy or a traditional apple cake with coffee/tea on the way back to the hotel.

There is one place in the city of Copenhagen that is more famous than many of the sights you will see on your trip, and that is the Ida Davidsen restaurant. This fifth generation family favorite lunch spot is the most popular smørrebrød restaurant in the world, frequented by many, the Danish royal family to name but a few.

What better way to learn how to make these Danish sandwiches than with the best! Not everyone gets a chance to meet the very well respected living legend Ida Davidsen herself, but you will get to spend this morning with her and her head chef in the kitchen of this iconic much-loved little Danish restaurant. Ida and her head chef will be giving you aprons and teaching you how to make the smørrebrød sandwiches for the day, which will include dishes from one of the longest menus known, approximately 250 (and growing) options! Then sit, relax and enjoy a lunch together.

After your morning with Ida, your guide will meet you at the restaurant and your car will be waiting to transfer you towards the northern shores. Along the coastline stop for a visit to Rungsted, the home and now museum of famous author and storyteller Karen Blixen. This is where she grew up, wrote many of her wonderful works and remained here till she passed. It is here that she wrote many of her books and stories among them the novel and then famous movie featuring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford: ‘Out of Africa’, based on her own life story.

This admirable and tenacious woman has an interesting story, listen to your guide as you walk in and out of her home or through her gardens. She shared a love for Africa and her home, Denmark – specifically this very special place, Rungsted. See how she lived, learn about her life and walk the paths she walked as you learn about the surroundings that inspired her so much.

We journey further along the shores about 25km away from the city center where the impressive Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is located. Enjoy the beauty of this museum and be inspired by many of the 3500 works housed here.

After a richly cultural day you are driven to the cool art deco building, The Standard for a pre-jazz dinner at The Studio. Walk over to across to the other side where the jazz studio awaits for an evening of Jazz. Your car awaits to transfer you back to your hotel when the show is done.

Private canal tour on a boat with the guide – this will give you a good geographical idea about the city tour. Get your bearings around the city and see how it is built on and around water as you sail the city waters and cruise the canals, under bridges and see the beautiful harbor. The humble and charming boat is built in the style of former fishing boats and is used as a water taxi as well at times. See the architectural beauty of this city, awaken your senses this morning with hearing, smelling, seeing many beautiful sights of churches, castles, the Royal Playhouse and the stunning opera house. Your boat will sail you over to Hans Christian Andersen’s mesmerizing fairytale creation of The Little Mermaid, a beautiful bronze and granite sculpture on Langelinie who sits, watches, waits-hoping to catch even the smallest glimpse of her Prince on the shores.

View the magnificent architecture, passing by the Danish Film School, sail through the atmospheric Christianshavn and stop for a short walk here and then make your way towards the Christiansborg Castle. Stop here to see the current ‘home’ of the Danish Parliament as well as the beautiful regal royal reception rooms and view the modern tapestries created by the both established and controversial artist Bjørn Nørgård in collaboration with the Queen herself and the French traditional tapestry weavers – a visually beautiful overview of Scandinavian history – like a 
woven cartoon for each historical period topped with the modern day Danish political status. A stop for lunch at the Royal Copenhagen Café is a must, a fun, colorful and quirky little café where you have to try ‘smushi’ – a combination of small Danish smørrebrød delights with a Japanese twist!

Walk it off towards the Royal Palace of Amalienborg, the winter residence of the current Danish Royal family, consisting of four identical rococo mansions surrounding the open square protected by the royal guards. Walk through the beautiful Old Town pick up an ice cream or and pass by royal Rosenborg the ‘pleasure’ castle.

Just the beginning for an unforgettable Journey to discover Copenhagen.

Christmas Villa – Punta Mita

Last minute planners! Casa Mara is a beachfront villa nestled amid acres of lush tropical gardens in Punta Mita, Mexico. It combines natural beauty, warm ocean water, priceless seclusion, incredible five-star international cuisine, endless activities and unparalleled luxury into a getaway destination unlike any other place on earth. Fully renovated in 2013, the villa features 15 full time staff members, including round-the-clock butler service, concierge, private chef and more.Casa MaraPlus, each room offers an ANYTHING™ button that will provide guests with anything they want…24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Five-Star private residence in Punta Mita, Casa Mara provides a carefree environment for relaxation and recreation that is the very definition of paradise.

The idyllic white sandy beach getaway offers 345 days of sunshine, just 10 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Casa Mara provides round trip airport transfers; the journey is 35 minutes by car.

The expansive villa includes 12 total guest rooms accommodating a maximum of 24 guests. All rooms are air conditioned and are outfitted with satellite TV, DVD, Apple TV, high speed wireless internet (available throughout the property), a fully stocked mini-bar with assorted snack trays, complimentary water, soda, and beer and iPod docking stations. Plush furnishings include 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and the decor highlights authentic Mexico coastal design with a modern twist.

Casa Mara offers an impressive variety of dishes featuring Mexican, Italian, Asian-Fusion, Japanese, Mediterranean and American influences. Each meal is custom tailored to guests’ individual preferences by the two resident five-star head chefs, who can accommodate any special diet to the highest possible standard. The fresh fish and seafood offerings are unparalleled and personally selected by the chefs from the local fish market each morning.

Guests can enjoy a US Open Championship tennis court and preferred tee times at two Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf courses located one mile away at the Four Seasons Golf Club. The property features a private beach for swimming and surfing, 20-person theater with 3D technology, Mercedes-Benz cars for guests’ use, basketball court, two heated pools, three whirlpool spas, and more. One complimentary spa treatment per person is included per stay and if offered in room or anywhere guests desire on the property. The state of the art fitness center offers personal training sessions and yoga on request.

For Christmas the rate is $30,000 per night and requires a 7-night minimum.  As a special incentive for this time period, food and beverage is complimentary for up to 12 people, and then $1,000 per person for each additional guest (maximum 24). If 13 people stay, the cost is $31,000 per night and F&B is included, or if 24 people stay the cost is $42,000 per night. 

Call me, this will book quickly!