Helsingor, Denmark

On Tuesday, a few of my US friends (Sarah and Sam) and two Austrians who were visiting our friend decided to take a day trip to visit the Kronborg and Frederiksborg Slots (aka Castles). The girls met at the corner of Norrebrogade (in front of one of the city's many 7-11's) and we rode together to Norreport Station. We met the guys there at 9:45am and then went to Netto (a chain supermarket) to buy food for breakfast and lunch. We boarded the 10:20am train to Helsingor, where the Kronborg Slot is located. We all bought a 24 hour klippekort so that we could spend as much time as we wanted . It was about a 40 minute train ride from Norreport Station to Helsingor.

Waiting for the train at Norreport Station

While on the train, we ate breakfast (which consisted of a baguette with strawberry rhubarb jam and grapes) and watched the countryside passing by. We arrived at the Helsingor train station around 11am and we immediately walked toward the Kronborg Castle.

Helsingor

Across from the Slot

As rebels,  we walked along the tram tracks (Don't worry Papa, no trams came by). We were across the water from the Slot and got a nice view of it while we made our way over there.

First glimpse of Kronborg Slot

The model of Kronborg and the real one

On our way inside

View of Kronborg Slot

A cafe outside of the Castle

View of Sweden

Inside the walls of Kronborg Slot

Fun Fact: Kronborg Slot was made famous by William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

We bought the ticket that gave us access to the Danish Maritime Museum, the Casemates, the Royal Chambers, and the Chapel. We spent an hour exploring the Museum, then we took a guided tour of the Casemates and the Royal Chambers. When our hunger really started to take over our ability to pay attention, we looked inside the Chapel and then headed out to our picnic lunch.

Inside the Maritime Museum:

Where the rich people ate on the ship to the US

The Casemates:

Holger the Dane

I could never imagine standing there for 2 weeks without food or water

The Royal Chambers:

Long ago, 3 lemons cost 5,000 DKK (about $1,000), obviously the Queen didn't care

See the holograms?

Tapestry

Painting that depicts Mother Nature and Earth

Kronborg Slot from the Royal Chambers

View of Sweden from inside the Royal Chambers

The Chapel:

After exploring the Kronborg Slot, the five of us headed to the picnic area to eat our lunch. It was a true definition of a hodgepodge meal consisting of bread, jam, brie, pickles, grapes, pears, apples, tuna and chicken salad, chicken, and fruit leathers...yet the "meal" was very satisfying.

Kiddie playground at Kronborg

We left Kronborg's picnic area at 3:30pm and headed back to the Helsingor Station to catch a train to Hillerod, where we would next go to see Frederiksborg Slot. It would close at 5pm, but we still wanted to go and experience it. And hey, we needed to get our money's worth on our 24 hour klippekort!

Groundskeeper shooing the birdies

Helsingor

Even the Danish dogs are precious

Next blog entry...Hillerod!