While in Tallin, visit the Old Town - it is like stepping back to medieval times, except for the McDonalds near one of the main entrances. THere is a great restaurant in the middle square called the Olde Hansa. Again, very medieval, even candles are used almost entirely and you feel like you are in the days before electricity. I've attached a few photos from the area. Make sure you have a look at the linen sweaters they sell everywhere, they are beautiful!! Have fun.    

Posted Nov 22, 2010

It's possible to visit Copenhagen's major attractions in a few days. I did it in a weekend! So if you have 2 weeks in Denmark I would suggest renting a car and traveling the countryside - absolutely beautiful! While you're in Copenhagen though the best way to get a feel of the city is to walk all around and through it. It's small enough that you can cover the whole city in a day. You'll be amazed at the most interesting things you discover by just walking. Take a look at what I discovered: http://gidg.smugmug.com/Travel/I-Left-My-Eyes-In-Copenhagen/4214215_GReqA#246380333_izXM7 Have a great time!

Posted Dec 14, 2010

If you want to get out of town from Copenhagen on the week-end, a good trip would be to rent a car, drive across the bridge to Malmö, then up the coast of Sweden to Helsingborg.  Spend the night in Helsingborg, the next day take the ferry to Helsingør, then back down the coast of Denmark to Copenhagen.  If you're into architecture, the famous Turning Torso building and maybe the old square in Malmö are must-sees (and of course the bridge).  On the way up, Lund is a nice old university town, with a lovely campus, an impressive old cathedral, and a funky open-air museum with a collection of buildings from all over Sweden.  Helsingborg is a nice town with a surprisingly interesting municipal museum, Helsingør of course has the famous castle.  On the way back you can stop at the Karen Blixen estate on Denmark's "gold coast" - nice gardens, although I was there in the summer.  And along the way you'll get a nice view of some very pretty countryside.

Posted Dec 17, 2010

Lauren,  Here is an existing thread on Copenhagen that might be a useful starting point for your upcoming trip.  Dan

Posted Nov 21, 2010

While in Tallin, visit the Old Town - it is like stepping back to medieval times, except for the McDonalds near one of the main entrances. THere is a great restaurant in the middle square called the Olde Hansa. Again, very medieval, even candles are used almost entirely and you feel like you are in the days before electricity. I've attached a few photos from the area. Make sure you have a look at the linen sweaters they sell everywhere, they are beautiful!! Have fun.    

Posted Nov 22, 2010

Wow!  Two weeks in each destination is long.  If you can, and if dates allow, get away from Tallinn on one of the weekends and head south to Muhu Island for a weekend's indulgence at Padaste Manor.  They reopen on March 1st for the season.  

Posted Nov 22, 2010

I can't be of much help as I have never been to Tallin and Denmark was many years ago, but in Copenhagen you must visit Tivoli.

Posted Nov 23, 2010

Yes, the Tallin Old Town is fabulous. Back in 1999, when I was in the Peace Corps, I took a day trip to Tallin and had the most wonderful Thai food I have ever eaten in my life. Not sure if the restaurant is still there, but... overall, food in Tallin is pretty good.

Posted Nov 25, 2010

I agree with Shannon. Definitely have dinner at the Old Hansa. Wonderful food and a truly unique experience.

Posted Nov 25, 2010

If you can get away from the city you should visit Saka.  It's also on the Baltic coast but a quite place to relax.  Driving up and down the coast from there is nice. lots off little cafes and parks to stop and enjoy.

 The Saka Cliff Hotel and Resort  is a nice place.  Plenty of room for camping and a nice hotel.  The Roof top view of the baltic is spectacular. 

I found the old town in Tallin a little to 'Disney land' for me.  But wandering around the rest of the city is fun.  Kasmu is also a nice little spot up the coast. 

My Favorite old town in Eastern Europe is Riga.  Not too far away if you get a chance to Visit.  

Posted Nov 27, 2010

For Copenhagen, I recommend Frederiksberg Park. It's gorgeous. And there's a viewing point for the Elephant sanctuary where the Park meets Copenhagen Zoo. For a little more info check wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederiksberg_Park

One garden that is also little known to visitors, is the Garden of the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Life Sciences. It's open to the public and there is a really sweet cafe somewhere in the middle by the student's flower and herb garden (pretty cool) http://www.life-sciences.dk/education/for_students/Nyheder/2008/982_vaeksthuset.aspx

The best thing about Copenhagen's gardens and parks is that they are as beautiful as Paris, but sometimes you feel like you've got it all to yourself!

Posted Nov 28, 2010

I lived near Copenhagen and it is possibly one of my favorite European cities...is there anything in particular you like doing? 

Posted Dec 02, 2010

Lauren,  As you are from DC, and you like to sky dive and are into photography, my guess is you are CIA.  Be careful what you do on your own time, it may be dangerous!

So that's the light side of my reply.  I'm envious of you and your trip, and for two weeks in each place even though your on a working trip.  Most of the questions have been from vacationers visiting a dozen places in two weeks!  (I exaggerate), but you get the idea.

I've been to Copenhagen twice over the years, not recently though.  What I do remember is that it's a great city to ride a bike.  I'm also an "Old Town" kinda guy as I love to just wander around and view what's happening with the ordinary people who live there.  Sometimes I like to find a place to sit in the shade and do a sketch of the old buildings.  It's a conversation starter as locals will come up and look over your shoulder to see what you're doing.  Then they want to know where you're from and then your off talking with a new found friend.

Enjoy, Steve

Posted Dec 02, 2010

Agree about the Old Town in Tallinn... absolutely wonderful and not cheesy. The Old Hansa restaurant, as recommended already, is a must. Yes, it's a gimmick with the medieval meals and environment, but it's not overdone or touristy so much... and the food is really good! Here's some info:

http://www.suite101.com/content/olde-hansa-in-tallinns-old-town-a77682

Also in Tallinn there's a good English pub (watched some world cup action there four years ago).... and up the hill is a very nice Eastern Orthodox church. Services there can make for a great musical/cultural experience as well (I wrote about that as part of an AFAR piece on such things last year). 

There is much to love in Tallinn old town, tons of great restaurants and shops. Enjoy! Also, it's just a 45 minute ferry ride from there to Helsinki, so that can be a fine day trip....

Posted Dec 09, 2010

Tallinn is cool. You are also a short ferry ride away from Helsinki. If you haven't been there it is a nice day or weekend trip. I took the regular ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn several years ago. I think there was also a fast hydrofoil which would shorten the trip considerably.

With respect to Copenhagen, a couple of things come to mind. You can take the train over to Malmo and wander around the town there. Or you can take a train to Roskilde. the cathedral there is very interesting and it is the burial spot for all of the monarchs.

Posted Dec 13, 2010

In Copenhagen got to Freetown Christiania and the Tivoli Gardens. If you can, pay a visit Lars von Trier's Film-bien. Also Copenhagen makes a great hub for catching high-speed trains to Sweden, Germany, etc. Malmo is very close to Copenhagen and makes a great day trip.

Posted Dec 14, 2010

Copenhagen Restaurants:

Fiskebaren

ida Davidsen

Skip Tivoli Gardens unless you purchase the Copenhagen card-the card allows you to get into several locations free

2010 summer the mermaid was in China, so we missed it, but I heard it is really disappointing.

Go to the Viking ship museum Roskilde

Go to the Louisiana Modern Art Museum (north of Copenhagen)

Take the train across to Malmo: Eat at Trio

Posted Dec 14, 2010

I wish I could be more help, but I can only imagine Copenhagen in the middle of the winter.  I was there in September and had wonderful weather, but you will find the major sights downtown such as Tivoli and canal walks will still be accessible.  I loved staying outside the city in the traditional village of Pederstrup at harvest time, you might enjoy going to visit a similar traditional village.  They are interesting and educational, even inspirational.  Also, I learned a lot about "waste-to-energy" electric generation, low carbon footprint building design, and alternative energy programs that are a model for the rest of the world.  Sorry that I don't know anything at all about the night life, but it's easy to find great restaurants.

Posted Dec 15, 2010

In Copenhagen, eat at Noma: http://www.noma.dk/

Posted Dec 15, 2010