Off to Copenhagen!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
We had a close call with the luggage, the flight from Boston (with our bags) was delayed and landed 10 minutes prior our scheduled departure from Iceland. Fortunately we were delayed slightly and we met up with our bags in Copenhagen.
We checked into the Opera Hotel, one of Copenhagen’s oldest hotels. Originally built as a guest house in 1869 and converted to a hotel in 1950, Hotel Opera is decorated in a cozy yet classical style, creating a charming and peaceful atmosphere that really reigns throughout the hotel. At the hotel entrance, you are welcomed by the Little Mermaid – one of the sculptures upon which the famed original version was based. The neighboring Royal Danish Theatre also makes its artistic presence felt at Hotel Opera. During check in we noticed the room keys with brass tags, engraved with the room number, hanging from cup hooks behind the front desk – it somehow reminds us of the tower of terror. The elevator holds 4 and only 4 people and there is a bedroom door like entrance. The Spiral staircase ascends from the 0 to 5th floor; the walls are lined with many photos of famous people who have stayed here. Definitely not a modern facility but has a great 20's like charm! The windows are open to the courtyard - and yes, they actually open!
This afternoon and evening we went out roaming around the area, lots of historic buildings and great architecture! The main mode of transportation seems to be by bike, thousands of them wheeling around the city – they are very old fashioned looking bikes, with baskets on the front - they remind me of the ones our parents had when we were kids.
We had dinner at this tiny restaurant called Restaurant Krebsegaarden that I had found in my research. It definitely lived up to the reviews. The owners base their menus on the latest gallery artist opening - the gallery is directly behind the restaurant. This week the artist was from Estonia so the menu was influenced by that region. I had a fantastic meal of pike perch and Glenn had wild boar. Add in the appetizers and desserts and it was yet another great meal on this adventure.
Across the street from the restaurant was a gay bar called the jail house. Our chef told us that if straight men were brave enough to enter, they would be locked up in cells. I could just see Glenn and his friends going there for the hell of it.
Tomorrow we board Vision of the Sea
We had a close call with the luggage, the flight from Boston (with our bags) was delayed and landed 10 minutes prior our scheduled departure from Iceland. Fortunately we were delayed slightly and we met up with our bags in Copenhagen.
We checked into the Opera Hotel, one of Copenhagen’s oldest hotels. Originally built as a guest house in 1869 and converted to a hotel in 1950, Hotel Opera is decorated in a cozy yet classical style, creating a charming and peaceful atmosphere that really reigns throughout the hotel. At the hotel entrance, you are welcomed by the Little Mermaid – one of the sculptures upon which the famed original version was based. The neighboring Royal Danish Theatre also makes its artistic presence felt at Hotel Opera. During check in we noticed the room keys with brass tags, engraved with the room number, hanging from cup hooks behind the front desk – it somehow reminds us of the tower of terror. The elevator holds 4 and only 4 people and there is a bedroom door like entrance. The Spiral staircase ascends from the 0 to 5th floor; the walls are lined with many photos of famous people who have stayed here. Definitely not a modern facility but has a great 20's like charm! The windows are open to the courtyard - and yes, they actually open!
This afternoon and evening we went out roaming around the area, lots of historic buildings and great architecture! The main mode of transportation seems to be by bike, thousands of them wheeling around the city – they are very old fashioned looking bikes, with baskets on the front - they remind me of the ones our parents had when we were kids.
We had dinner at this tiny restaurant called Restaurant Krebsegaarden that I had found in my research. It definitely lived up to the reviews. The owners base their menus on the latest gallery artist opening - the gallery is directly behind the restaurant. This week the artist was from Estonia so the menu was influenced by that region. I had a fantastic meal of pike perch and Glenn had wild boar. Add in the appetizers and desserts and it was yet another great meal on this adventure.
Across the street from the restaurant was a gay bar called the jail house. Our chef told us that if straight men were brave enough to enter, they would be locked up in cells. I could just see Glenn and his friends going there for the hell of it.
Tomorrow we board Vision of the Sea
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Boarded the ship and did the normal ship things – time to chill out from the whirl wind trip so far and most importantly, rest up for the remainder of the journey. Vision of the Seas is an Enchantment size ship with the diamond lounge off of the Viking crown lounge. She is a very tired looking ship, in desperate need of the refurbishment that’s scheduled to take place in 2-3 months.
The Captain and the crew on this ship were wonderful. Never have I had so many conversations with
officers as we had onboard this ship.
Every night while we were relaxing in the Diamond lounge multiple
officers would stop by to chat about our day or check up on the food and/or
service. Multiple times throughout this
voyage I observed the Captain interacting with all levels of personnel; it was
plain to see that he was a true leader.
