Tuesday was my last day in Copenhagen. I made a reservation before leaving my hotel to climb up the tower of the Church of Our Saviour, and it was a good thing because there were already people being turned away when I arrived, about 15 minutes before my starting time. I looked inside the beautiful old church first. Someone seemed to be playing an instrument, probably the carillon, which was lovely, and the church also had an amazing organ supported by two elephants. It was built starting in 1639 in the Dutch Baroque style. The climb up the tower was not difficult, up a series of steps then ladder like steps, then a ladder, to the outside observatory which nearly encircled the spire. From there I walked on the outside of the tower the rest of the way up, which was easier and wider, though the steps just end at the top, there is no platform there. The views of the city were really nice. It was a bit overcast so there were decent views in every direction. I could see the docks where container ships were loaded and unloaded (not far from my hotel), and the bridge to Malmo.

After leaving the spire, I started towards Rosenborg Palace (Slot in Danish), stopping along the way to buy a ticket online. I went past Christianborg Palace and still had over an hour before my starting time so I toured the Royal Reception areas which were furnished and spectacular, especially the dining room and great hall. The dishes displayed were gorgeous. The palace is still used today both by the government (the Supreme Court, the Parliament and the Prime Minister all have their offices there) and by the Danish monarch. The Reception Rooms, the Royal Chapel and the Royal Stables are used today by the monarch. I also toured the old kitchen area which was outside the main castle and saw a couple of horses in paddocks outside the Royal Stables. It was well worth the stop. The castle was first built in 1167, and was rebuilt after two fires, in 1794 and 1884. The main part was finished in 1928, in the neo-baroque style, which seemed light and airy and very very fancy.

From Christianborg it was about a 22 minute walk to Rosenborg though it took me a few minutes longer as I had to take some photos, especially in the park surrounding the castle, from which there was a great view of the castle. Rosenborg, built in 1606-34 by Christian IV, was older (built in the renaissance style), it seemed darker and smaller, as it was built as a pleasure palace. It has spectacular ceilings, both carved and painted, a throne room, and a lot of paintings of Danish Royalty over the centuries, all of whom looked a lot alike, with long, thin noses. It was much more crowded there, the castle being smaller and the rooms smaller, and people were not allowed in before their start time. There are also royal Crown Jewels in the basement. You can even see the King’s private bathroom tiled floor to ceiling with blue tiles. It is also well worth a visit.

After viewing the castles, I decided to do a bit of souvenir shopping. First I went to Posterland which was on the edge of the park, then down various busy streets. Popular gifts seemed to be rubber ducks, shopping bags, and the usual key chains, magnets, t-shirts and caps, plus amber jewelry. Along the way I saw some pretty buildings, a leather shop with many different skins inside and a truck using tennis players Holger Rune and Caroline Wozniaki (both Danish, though neither lives in Denmark) on the side as an advert.

I returned to the hotel via the subway, packed up and and today went to the airport, figured out the tax refund scheme and flew to London and now to the USA.

Tax refund: If you spend over a certain amount in a store they will give you a form to take to the airport to hand in and get about 10-20% of your purchase price, basically part or all of the VAT, sort of like a sales tax refund. You have to show your ticket going outside the EU and passport. I had several receipts, from Spain, Finland and Denmark. So I went to Global Blue who sent me to customs to get a stamp for my non-Danish purchases. And one receipt was from a different tax-free company, which was on the way to customs. I had my items with me, but was not asked to show them (but I was earlier this year in Peru). Then I went back to Global Blue, waited in line briefly before handing in my documents and receiving my refund (or I will in 5-10 days). I had time, but it took at least 30 minutes, so if you are running late I wouldn’t do it till after check in.

A few things I learned about Denmark:

• Taxes are very high (about 55% if you earn over about $79, 000, 8% up to about $6,800 and 40% for income between $6,800 and $79,000. Taxes though cover education (including university and a stipend for students), health care, 1 year of leave after child and more
• The population of Denmark is just under $6,000,000
• The highest point in Denmark is only 568 feet and the country consists of a peninsula and hundreds of islands. In fact Copenhagen is built on Zealand Island.
• The sales tax on automobiles starts at 25% for the first (approximately) $10,000, 85% for the next $20,000 and 150% for any price over $30,000. So people ride bikes and take the metro.
• Denmark is the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the European Union
• Denmark gets about 50% of its electricity from windmills (some of which I could see from my hotel room)
• Denmark is part of the European Union and Schengen area, but has its own currency, the Danish Krone, but every place takes credit cards and cash isn’t used much.
• Denmark along with Sweden and Norway are considered the Scandinavian countries. Those three countries along with Finland and Iceland are the Nordic countries.
• Denmark is the smallest and most densely populated of the Scandinavian countries.

And finally…back in the USA!

·