Wow! I just discovered Slow Travel. I didn't know there was a site that matched our travel philosophy so well. My wife and will be visiting København from 1 to 10 June. As slow travelers, we're looking for an apartment, have searched for and emailed owners found on Travel Library and emailed Hay4you and Red Apple for assistance. Any other suggestions? Soljet, if you're still out there, I may be asking for guidance, having seen how incredibly helpful you've been to others!
I was looking at rentals in Northern Europe recently and came across Novasol. I think they started in Denmark. They are now part of a larger chain but they do look like they have a good selection for Denmark.
I think I looked at every apartment listing for Copenhagen last summer. Hay4You was great! They were so kind to us, and the place they got for us was perfect. It takes them awhile to know what's available since they are the agents for people who actually live in the apartments, but I'd say persist with them--their prices are very good. They will send you photos once they have a list of what's available on your dates. Here's the thread from my search last summer. The guy from CPH Rentals was very nice but the place we wanted they preferred to rent by the month. You might also try Craig's List.
Just ask away. I have had a horribel time mooving from one apartment to another. Renovation took 2 months longer than expected. But now I am back with my beloved computer. www.visitcopenhagen.dk is the place to start.
Thank you, Marta. Trishmael, Soljet, it was a google result leading to your thread that turned me on to slow travel, so I'm delighted to hear from you both. So far, three owners I've contacted thru Travel Library are already booked, and one reply sounded suspiciously like a scam, so I'm a bit nervous about treading into the bøllemose of Craigslist. Hay4you sent back a prompt reply that they'd get back to me within 8 weeks of travel, as is their policy. Glad to hear they're reliable, Trish. I'll look at Novasol, Marta, thanks for the tip. Soljet, just some personal info: my Dad, a prof. of English and Icelandic studies, had a Fulbright Scholarship to the U of København in 52-53. I was 8, my sister and brother 12 and 16. We lived in Naerum for the year, attended the public school. As opposed to now, when I understand nearly everyone in Danmark speaks Engelsk, few did then, so we kids learned Dansk the hard way, by immersion. As young as I was, I became truly bilingual, actually better in Dansk. Could even say rødgrød med fløde like a Købnhavner. Unfortunately, when I returned to the US I had a slight accent in English and refused ever to speak Danish again and lost almost all of it except little songs, phrases, "Højt fra traeets grønne top" "Punktum, punktum, comma, strej", and silly things like that. But I feel as if Sjaelland is my second home, even after all these years, and am excited to return. Again, thanks, all, for your input. I'll report back as things proceed. I already feel like a member of the community. Bill Litzenberg, Santa Fe, NM, USA
You must go to Naerum. It is so fun to visit places you have not seen since childhood. Suddenly everything seems so small. Personally I like Craigslist. I have rented my apartment through them on several occations, and have made many homeexchanges. But lately I have noticed, that warnings have appeared against frauds. Hear from you, when you have questions.
Thanks, Soljet. I took another look at Craigslist, at your urging. Didn't find anything appealing, but did sense there were "real" people with honest deals there. Currently the most appealing places to us from other sites are out away from the noise and bustle. Two are in Valby and one in Østerbro. I figure we can bike or take the S-tog to the center and back. These areas are both near big parks and look as if they would be quiet and comfortable. The Valby listings are with reliable-looking agencies and Østerbro from the visitcopenhagen site you suggested. (Thanks!) Any thoughts about those areas? Bile Litzenberg
Oh well, what to say. Østerbro is nice and quiet. Dead quiet if you ask me. But it is close, as is actually also Valby. Østerbro people are richer than people in Valby. Both places are ok. I am a city-girl myself. And we also have parks in the City. Ørsted Parken and Botanical Garden and Kongens Have (Kings Garden). But eveninglife has picked up both in Østerbro and Valby, so it is no problem to come home in the evening and find a little place for a late beer. And lots of restaurants have also sprung up outside the City.
Hi, Soljet. After your reaction to my ideas of Østerbro and Valby I thought about it more and decided being near the center was worth the extra cost. So now we have booked an apartment near the University and Vor Frue Kirken, I think on Dyrkøb or nearby. Seems to be near many things and a short walk to the Nørreport station to take the S-bane or Metro to more distant places. Is that location a better idea? It is through an agency and expensive, but if a better option appears, I can cancel up to 30 days prior to visit, 2 weeks from now. I've contacted quite a few Craigslist and other online individuals with no luck. Still hoping to hear from Hay4you For cycling around in the city, are the City Bikes easily available, or would it make sense to rent bikes for the 9 days? Thanks for you help!
I think it is a great place to be. If you have the exact address I will go and have a look. If it is too noisy. You should rent a bike. We have free city-bikes. But they are only for small trips in the city. You can buy a bike-ticket for trains. That could give you a nice day out of Copenhagen.
Soljet, That would be great if you could check it out. I just got a confirmation of the address: Dyrkøb 3, Floor 1. Thanks. Getting excited! Bill Litzenberg
It is a lovely place. Of course I don't know how the apartment is. If it is facing the street you have the side of the Dome right in front of you and trees all down the street. To your right is one of the walking-streets, so cars only go there for parking. There will be lots of people of course, but no disco nearby. Just some outdoor restaurants (avoid them, touristtraps, especially Italiano). I can guide you to better eating-places, where you can actually meet the natives.
Thanks so much, SJ. You're very generous with your time. Restaurant recommendations of the local sort would be much appreciated. I fondly remember frikadeller, mørbrad, biksemad med spejlaeg, smørrebrød med rejer eller rosbøfmed løj, rødepølser from my youth, though I probably never wrote and certainly don't know how to spell them! Bill Litzenberg
http://www.aok.dk/byen-rundt/g.../visiting-copenhagen Here is a list of restaurants in Copenhagen in English. The places I have mentioned earlier on this site still stands. I will now give you some places, where we go in great weather and have smørrebrød and where I don't think any tourist has ever been. M. G. Petersens gamle familiehave, Pile Allé 16, Frederiksberg. You will have lots of fun just being there. Rabes Have, Langebrogade 8, Christianshavn. The latter has the best food of these. And it might be full. But then ask to make a reservation for later or next day. For taking home a souvenir go to our very old tea-shop and buy honey-cakes, and have tea there on the first floor Perchs Tea-Room, Kronprinsensgade 5, off one of the walking-streets. http://www.christiansfeldcentret.dk/?lang=uk Here you can read all about the christian congregation that started making the honey-cakes.
http://www.davidmus.dk/en In my opinion, this is one of the most interesting museeums in Copenhagen. It has just reopened, after 3 years of restoration.
Soljet Just got back from ten wonderful days in CPH. Thanks so much for your advice, which was just perfect. I'm so glad we stayed on Dyrkøb rather than farther out. We did rent bikes, as you advised, and biked all over town, even out to Naerum through Dyrehaven. We did get to Peterson's. Fun! And pretty good food. The band actually played a number I remembered from my youth and could sing along with "Paa den vej til Mandalay." We tried twice to go to Rabes Have but both times closed, then I saw the sign Åben Onsdag-Søndag. Too bad! Made the train trips to Helsingør and Roskilde, both delightful excursions. We did avoid the Italiano restaurants near the apartment, but found good food nearby. The fanciest we went to was Peder Oxe, which was very nice. The most fun was City Kro, where most of the restaurant was reserved by a Danish choir that was hosting a visiting Norwegian Men's singing group. We were serenaded with anthems, drinking sogs, folksongs and even an American Barbershop Harmony number. And the singers were gracious to us, nearly the only nonsingers present. We have traveled a bit in Asia, Europe and North and Latin America and have never encountered people so warm, helpful and welcoming. We could not have had a better trip. Thanks so much for your help. Bill Litzenberg Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Litz, so glad to hear about your recent trip to Copenhagen.
Our information on the main site SlowTravel, is a little scant about Denmark, would you consider writing up some notes about your recent trip? Maybe a trip report or some travel notes about the town, or even a hotel or restaurant review, to help future travelers to the region?
