Despite Shakespeare’s Hamlet spawning the stereotype of the melancholy Dane, the most distinctive difference between Denmark’s premier city and other urban areas is that everyone seems incredibly happy. And who wouldn’t be, living in a Mecca of museums, seductive shopping, unique restaurants, and entertainment opportunities to suit every taste? At any hour of the day or night, the linked pedestrian streets of Stroget, Fiolstraede, and Kobmagergrade are flooded with hordes of tall, beautiful, Scandinavian blondes who seem to be awaiting a film crew fromthe Danish National Tourist Office. But they’re not; they are simply residents of one of the most postcard-perfect, traveler-friendly destinations imaginable.

Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport is linked with more than fifty US cities, eight cities in Canada and serviced by frequent flights from all major UK airports. The city bus runs to Central Station with one change at a cost of 20 krone (kr), about $3. the SAS bus runs directly to Central Station, cost 32 kr.; a taxi will set you back around 100-150 kr. The main rail station is København Hovedbanegard. It has a metro station of the same name and is centrally located. Within the rail station you will find a bureau de change, a post office, a telecom center, a kiosk that sells English newspapers and a twenty-four supermarket. The supermarket sells prepared sandwiches, snacks and all the makings of a street-side or hotel room picnic.