The morning after New Year’s Eve hit us hard, despite the lack of alcohol the night before. I set my alarm for 8:30, but somehow needed to be woken up by Mama Bear at ten. We were better this day about getting up and moving quickly, though, after having experienced the full effect of three hours of daylight. (Disclaimer – there are actually about eight hours of daylight in the Copenhagen area this time of year, but on New Year’s Eve, we were really only outside for three of them. Whoops..)

I was a bit torn due to our limited daylight and full plate of activities. I really really really wanted the crew to see Frederiksborg Castle, my favorite castle in Denmark. When I was studying in Copenhagen, I would sometimes stay on the train after class and pass my house so I could hang out by this castle for an hour or so before heading home.

The problem is that Frederiksborg Castle is up north, and Copenhagen was south of where we were staying. To see the castle would eat up two to three hours of our time, slashing away our options for sightseeing in the city.

But alas! I am weak, and my crew refused to guide me, so I decided the castle deserved our company.

We were greeted in Hillerød by a friendly windstorm, dashed with rain here and there. The castle and gardens were worth it though, to no surprise!

I was sad that there wasn’t any snow on the ground, but the castle gardens were gorgeous, nonetheless.

And the castle itself wasn’t half bad, either!

A successful trip to Frederiksborg Slot, if I do say so myself.

Next, we headed into Copenhagen to peruse Kastellet, a beautiful star-shaped fortress from back in the day.

I guess that stop was mostly a Jonathan photo shoot…

But not the next one! On to see the Little Mermaid. But first, the BIG Little Mermaid!

Gotta love her. And her abs.

The ‘real’ Little Mermaid was next on the list. We stopped for a sandwich and a French hotdog first, though. Ate too fast to take pictures!

Circling around Kastellet, we made our way to my mom’s favorite fountain, Gefionspringvandet.

The water wasn’t running )’: but normally the fountain sprays up at the oxen so that it looks as though they are storming through a ferocious river.

Afterwards, we set off for Amalienborg and the Marble Church. (As I’m writing this, I realize how silly that day was. I ended the evening feeling as though we didn’t do much during the day, but we actually did so much!)

Next was a walk to Nyhavn…

And my favorite Nyhavn waffles and ice cream with whipped cream and strawberry jam!

Aaaaaaaand, finally, that’s a wrap on New Year’s Day! Time for some sleeping. Until next time…

Venlig hilsen/ best regards,

Lizzy-wa