Overview: A guide to traveling to four countries in Northern Europe during December; Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Iceland. Please note, this guide is utilizing a layover in Iceland.
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Destinations
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Intro Paragraph
[insert intro paragraph and info regarding traveling in December for the holidays]
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Important Info
Copenhagen, Denmark
General
Most residents speak English
Mixed gender bathrooms are normal
J-walking is looked down upon, at least at intersections
Talking loudly in public, especially on public transit is looked down upon
Watch where you walk, there are a lot of bike lanes that are easy to step into by mistake
Overview: A guide to traveling to four countries in Northern Europe during December; Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Iceland. Please note, this guide is utilizing a layover in Iceland.
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Destinations
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IntroWhy traveling to Northern Europe in the middle of winter is worth it Although it’s very cold, Copenhagen during the holidays is beautiful. There are winter activities, both inside and outside, including ice skating and socializing over board games. There’s a huge hygge culture in the winter with an abundance of heat lamps, blankets to wrap up in, and faux fur draped over seating areas. The city is decorated in red woven hearts and twinkling Christmas lights; it’s truly charming. To me, visiting a place outside of peak tourist times (usually winter) is beneficial because it gives me a more realistic feel of how it is to live in that place outside of summer. If you can handle the winter, then the summertime will be much better. More reasons to visit in December
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Coffee Shops & Breakfast Spots
Museums, Castles & Memorials
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Copenhagen, Denmark
Buka
Kaf Bar
Cafe Claude’s Hands (hot egg)
Hart Bagery (bakery - owner worked at Noma)
The Villa Hotel (pastry and espresso cafe inside)
Bastard Cafe (board games, Hygge culture)
Landbageriet (focaccia and cinnamon rolls)
Le Petit something [find name and insert] (breakfast with skyr)
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Copenhagen, Denmark | General
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Berlin, Germany | General
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Malmo, Sweden | General
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland | General
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Malmo, Sweden | General
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland | General
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General Prep |
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Stay Info
⭐ Pro tip: If you want to make friends with people traveling from Australia, staying at a hostel and socializing in common areas increases your odds significantly. I recommend hostels in Europe, not the US.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Berlin, Germany
Airbnbs available
St Christopher’s Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz
Generator Hostel
Malmo, Sweden
Airbnbs available
Day trip via train
You can take the Metro from downtown Copenhagen to the CPH airport, then board the train to Malmo from there
Takes less than an hour
Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland
Airbnbs available
Hotel Aurora at airport (ideal for layovers)
5 minute walk outside of airport
Breakfast is provided
Flights & Transportation
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is very walkable
Uses officially marked taxis
Denmark doesn't have Uber or Lyft
Buses are available, cheap and clean
Bikes are very popular and common, along with renting bikes
4 metro lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Easy way to go all over town
Berlin, Germany
Clever Shuttle
Lyft is available in Berlin
Berlin is very walkable but big so there is a lot of ground to cover
U-Bahn trains available
Train from Berlin airport (BER) to Alexanderplatz in Berlin is about an hour long
Only some stations have lockers
A bus taxi: rideshare eco-taxi where you share the ride with other peeps, almost like a bus
Travel between Copenhagen and Berlin
Fastest route:
There is a plane you can take for 1 hour
Scenic route:
There is a train you can take for 6-7 hours
You can sleep on the train or see the German countryside
Malmo, Sweden
Malmo is walkable
Can walk to most landmarks
Bikes are very common
Most hotels offer bike rentals
Bike rental apps: Donkey Bike or Malmö by Bike
Travel between Copenhagen and Malmo
You can take the Metro from downtown Copenhagen to the airport, then board the train to Malmo from there
Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland
There’s no Lyft or Uber
Electric scooters are available
City Center area is walkable
Location: from Old Harbour to the Hlemmur bus terminal
Bus transportation in Reykjavik is easy, cheap, and gets you to the best spots in the city
Straeto, Reykjavik’s public transport company: bus routes, times, and fares
Regular bus ticket: 480 kr (3.30 USD) during the day and 960 kr (6.55 USD) at night
Buses travel up and down Hverfisgata street, but it's best to wander Laugavegur, the main shopping street, on foot
Travel Between KEF airport and Reykjavik
Airport transport bus service:
Shuttle bus is fairly priced and travels to and from Keflavik Airport frequently
Ride time: 45 to 60 minutes
Taxi:
Starting price is around $110 USD
Reykjavik
Bus transportation in Reykjavik:
Regular bus ticket: 480 kr (3.30 USD) during the day and 960 kr (6.55 USD) at night
Airport transport bus service:
Tickets can be purchased on Icelandair flight (during flight)
Shuttle bus is fairly priced and travels to and from Keflavik Airport frequently
Ride time: 45 to 60 minutes
Taxi:
Starting price is around $110 USD
Flying Icelandair
If your layover is in Iceland and you are flying Icelandair
Icelandair allows a free stopover for up to 7 days due to Iceland promoting tourism
Check out Reykjavik if you can
There is an option to buy bus tickets from the airport to Reykjavik on an Icelandair flight
Keflavik is a nice option too
Blue Lagoon is near the airport
Hot springs with geothermal seawater surrounded by volcanoes
Will not be open at times due to volcanic activity
Budget & Personal Expenses
Copenhagen, Denmark
Stays
Transportation
Food
Other
Berlin, Germany
Stays
Transportation
Food
Other
Malmo, Sweden
Stays
Transportation
Food
Other
Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland
Stays
Transportation
Food
Other
Flights and Transportation
Taxi: CPH airport to City Center of Copenhagen is $20-$40
Bus: Copenhagen bus tickets average around $7 per ride
Train: Copenhagen to Malmo is $12/person
Train: Berlin to Copenhagen is $
Train: Berlin airport (BER) to Alexanderplatz in Berlin is
EasyJet Flight: Copenhagen to Berlin - about $100 round trip
EasyJet Flight: Copenhagen to Berlin with 2 bags - about $215 round trip
Small cabin bag: 1 x under seat cabin bag (max. 45 x 36 x 20 cm)
Large cabin bag: 1 x large cabin bag (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm
National Foods
Copenhagen, Denmark
https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/capital-region/copenhagen/restaurants
Foods to try:
Pastries, Danishes
Hot dogs
Smørbrød (open faced sandwich)
Fish
Pork
Danish beer
Berlin, Germany
Foods to try:
Turkish and Greek food
Currywurst
Doner kebab
Jelly donut
Beer with flavor added
Eisbein - pork knuckle
Bouletten -
Kassler - thick boiled ham
With cheese noodles
Ka- Potato pancake with applesauce on top
Turkish simit (pastry) with Turkish tea
Turkish bakery breakfast
Dong Xuan Center - Viatnamese food store
Malmo, Sweden
Foods to try:
Kanelbulle
Filmjölk
Toast Skagen
Foraged berries
Husmanskost
Prinsesstårta
Lingonberries
Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland
Foods to try:
Kjotsupa
Lamb (Stew)
Hot Dog (Lamb)
Seafood (Lobster Soup)
Skyr (Cake)
Fermented Shark
Ice Cream
Recommended Establishments & Activities
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General Prep |
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Stay Info | |
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⭐ Pro tip: If you want to make friends with people traveling from Australia, staying at a hostel and socializing in common areas increases your odds significantly. I recommend hostels in Europe, not the US. | |
Copenhagen, Denmark | |
Berlin, Germany |
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Malmo, Sweden | Airbnbs available
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland |
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Flights & Transportation | |
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Copenhagen, Denmark |
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Berlin, Germany |
Travel between Copenhagen and Berlin
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Malmo, Sweden |
Travel between Copenhagen and Malmo
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland |
Travel Between KEF airport and Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Flying Icelandair If your layover is in Iceland and you are flying Icelandair
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Budget & Personal Expenses | |
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Copenhagen, Denmark |
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Berlin, Germany |
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Malmo, Sweden |
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland |
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Flights and Transportation |
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National Foods | |
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Copenhagen, Denmark | https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/capital-region/copenhagen/restaurants Foods to try:
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Berlin, Germany | Foods to try:
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Malmo, Sweden | Foods to try:
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland | Foods to try:
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Recommended Establishments & Activities
Day 11 (Thursday)
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Notable Neighborhoods | Notable Eats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tours & Other Activities | Hot Springs & Bath Houses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tours & Other Activities | Hot Springs & Bath Houses |
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Copenhagen, Denmark
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Copenhagen, Denmark
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Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland Blue Lagoon Iceland
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Itinerary Example
Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 1 (Monday)
Group leaves home airport
Day 2 (Tuesday)
Group arrives in Copenhagen at noon/around midday
Day 3 (Wednesday)
Chill in Copenhagen
Daytrip to Hven (Island in Sweden)
Ferry to Hven:
Day 4 (Thursday)
Go to Tivoli
Day 5 (Friday)
Leave for Berlin in the morning via flight (ideally Friday for weekend clubbing)
Berlin, Germany
Day 5 (Friday)
Leave for Berlin in the morning via flight
Arrive in Berlin
Club night in Berlin
Day 6 (Saturday)
Day in Berlin
Club night in Berlin
Day 7 (Sunday)
Leave Berlin to Copenhagen via 7 hour train and sleep OR fly out
Copenhagen Leg 2
Day 7 (Sunday)
Leave Berlin to Copenhagen via 7 hour train and sleep
Be back in Copenhagen by (insert time)
Day 8 (Monday)
Wake up in Copenhagen, go to Malmo for the day
Malmo, Sweden
Day 8 (Monday)
Go to Malmo for the day, then come back to Copenhagen
Copenhagen Leg 3
Day 8 (Monday)
Come back to Copenhagen from Malmo
Day 9 (Tuesday)
Chill in Copenhagen
Day 10 (Wednesday)
Chill in Copenhagen
Go to Aire Ancient Baths
Day 11 (Thursday)
Depart in the evening to Iceland
Keflavik/Reykjavik, Iceland
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Itinerary Template | |||||||||||
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| Download and print the Northern Euro Trip itinerary template ✨ | ||||||||||
⭐ Need to know
⭐ Summary
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Copenhagen, Denmark | |||||||||||
Day 1 (Monday) | Group leaves home airport | ||||||||||
Day 2 (Tuesday) | Group arrives in Copenhagen (hopefully morning or midday)
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Day 3 (Wednesday) | Chill in Copenhagen
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Day 4 (Thursday) | Chill in Copenhagen
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Day 5 (Friday) | Leave for Berlin in the morning via flight (ideally Friday for weekend clubbing) | ||||||||||
Berlin, Germany | |||||||||||
Day 5 (Friday) | Leave for Berlin in the morning via flight
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Day 6 (Saturday) |
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Day 7 (Sunday) | Leave Berlin to Copenhagen via 7 hour train and sleep OR fly out
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Copenhagen Leg 2 | |||||||||||
Day 7 (Sunday) | Leave Berlin to Copenhagen via 7 hour train and sleep
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Day 8 (Monday) | Wake up in Copenhagen, go to Malmo for the day
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Malmo, Sweden | |||||||||||
Day 8 (Monday) | Go to Malmo for the day, then come back to Copenhagen
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Copenhagen Leg 3 | |||||||||||
Day 8 (Monday) | Come back to Copenhagen from Malmo
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Day 9 (Tuesday) | Chill in Copenhagen
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Day 10 (Wednesday) | Chill in Copenhagen
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Day 11 (Thursday) | Depart in the evening to Iceland | ||||||||||
Keflavik & Reykjavik, Iceland | |||||||||||
Day 11 (Thursday) | Arrive in Iceland
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Day 12 (Friday) | Fly to home airport in evening |
One Bag Packing List Example
Pack
Thin scarf thing
Merino wool gloves
Thin merino wool hat
Sweater blue cashmere
Thermal shirts (
Green shirt
Grey Henley
Red down puffer vest
3)
Yoga pants (3)
Sweater black merino wool
Wool skirt
Technical fleece
Merino wool socks
Long down puffer
Thermal leggings for skirt
Loungewear items
Socks, panties, bras
Swimsuit (Reykjavik hot springs?)
Berlin clubbing outfit
Shiny black leggings
Lace black top
Light crop black hoodie
Second pair of shoes
Socks, panties, bras
Waterproof boots
Second pair of shoes (tbd)
Swimsuit
Bag/purse thing
Headphones
Ear plugs
Swimsuit
Phone
Wallet
Pen
Wearing to
Airport
Adidas
Long black water resistant down coat (maybe)
Yoga pants
Thermal shirt
Toiletries
Tylenol
Medications
Tylenol
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Deodorant
Conditioner
Shampoo
Body wash
Flossers/floss
Razor
Sunscreen
Brush
Tampons
Earplugs
Chapstick
Makeup & Skincare
Foundation
Sponge with holder
Mascara
Eye shadow crayon
Day cream
Night cream
Face wash or scrub