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Tags: Obama-Around-The-World / Presidential Travel / Olympics / Michelle Obama / Olympics Travel / Copenhagen Travel / Oprah / → All Tags

The 'O Team' Heads To Copenhagen To Push 'Chicago 2016'

Tomorrow is the big day! On October 2, the Olympic Committee will announce the host city for the 2016 Olympics, and it's a hot race right down to the last minute for finalist cities Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Madrid. These final 24 hours have been particularly important to the decision-making process, as each city flew their star-power spokespeople to Copenhagen, Denmark to make final pleas before the Committee.

While soccer star Pelé did what he could for Rio's case, Chicago's representation was a bit more impressive with both Oprah and Michelle Obama stepping up to the podium to pitch The Windy City. Oprah might rule it these days, you see, but Michelle was born there and remains a Second City gal, even if her residence is now the White House.

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Tags: Airport WiFi / Airport-WiFi-Map / CPH / → All Tags

Pirates Kidnap Danish Ship; Kastrup Airport Kidnaps Your Wallet For WiFi Access

The world was glued this week to the MV Maersk Alabama, a container ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia this week. As snipers daringly rescued the captain, the ship remains under scurvy control along with its 5,000 tons of relief aid -- avast!

The ship may fly under the American flag now but it's actually Danish in origin, having been docked in Copenhagen for years. And you know, maybe everyone on board would prefer to hide out for a while up there to throw the pirates off their trail. After all, these sea ninjas are hardly accustomed to long voyages, despite their facility for taking things that isn't theirs.

Soon enough the crew would be waiting at Kastrup International Airport to go home, where they could log in for $10.63 an hour (60 DKK) and send the world's greatest excuse: "Sorry I couldn't make it, I was kidnapped by pirates."

Trying to find something of yours which has been hijacked by pirates? Don't forget on your way out to make them walk the plank to use the airport internet -- and let us know about it!

Related Stories:
· Rescued US Captain Heads Home from Kenya [P via Google]
· Anatomy of a Cruise Ship Attack [Jaunted]
· Airport WiFi Map [Jaunted]

Tags: Green Travel / Biking / Active Travel / → All Tags

Bikes Only Travel: Copenhagen Closes Road to Cars

Copenhagen and Amsterdam are in an informal competition to be known as the world's best cycling city.

Both have large populations of enthusiastic bikers that have made two wheels their primary form of transportation. But Copenhagen has edged ahead in the race with a new initiative that will make a main thoroughfare, Nørrebrogade, bike-only for three months, allowing bicyclists an easier morning and evening commute.

Closing Nørrebrogade to car traffic is one of many steps the government has taken to make biking easier in it's city. And it makes sense too, as car drivers are quickly becoming the minority. Only 17,000 cars use the Nørrebrogade daily, as opposed to 33,000 cyclists.

Related Stories:
· Copenhagen Cyclists Take Over Main City Thoroughfare [Treehugger]
· "Summer Streets" Turning NYC into a Summer Destination [Jaunted]
· Green Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: soylentgreen23]

Tags: Coffee / Coffee Shops / Biking / → All Tags

Caffeinated Travel: Mobile Coffee in Copenhagen

If you're strolling through downtown Copenhagen and need to get your caffeine fix, keep an eye out for the Espressomanden. Ole, the espresso man, is the proprietor of a very cool mobile coffee shop mounted on a cargo bicycle.

He can be found daily, parked on the streets of Copenhagen, and is available to serve coffee at weddings, receptions and company parties. You can also wave him down, taxi style, and he'll stop and pull you a tasty double shot.

The Espressomanden is completely self sufficient. The cargo bike can carry loads up to 150 kg and the coffee machines are powered by natural gas on board.

As it happens, Copenhagen is one of the world's most bike friendly cities. More than 50 percent of the population ride bikes as their primary form of transportation. Cargo bike based businesses are also taking off in a big way. If you don't like coffee, you'll also find fruit bikes, newspaper bikes and a whole bunch of rickshaws.

Related Stories:
· Espressomanden [Official Site]
· Espressomanden Ole [Copenhagenize]
· Copenhagen Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Copenhagenize]

Tags: Culture Travel / Santa Claus / Summer Travel / → All Tags

Christmas in July: Santa Clauses Amass in Denmark

It's too late to grow a real beard: The World Santa Claus Congress starts today in Copenhagen, whose residents will get a glimpse of many Kris Kringles as they parade and wreak havoc out of season.

Santas will promenade down Strøget, a pedestrian thoroughfare made up of several streets in the city center, and later jump into the Copenhagen harbor over the course of the three-day festival, now in its 51st year.

Just don't ask them which one is the real Santa; they'll say they all are.

Related Stories:
· World Santa Claus Congress [Official Site, in Danish]
· You Can Dine with Danes, Too [Jaunted]
· Santa Claus coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: paulafunnell]

Tags: Beer Festivals / Beer / Europe Travel / Copenhagen Travel / → All Tags

Beer Festival Travel: Beer-Drinking Horses in Copenhagen

Beer lovers who missed out on the world's biggest pub crawl in Australia last weekend can take heart: You just need a ticket to Copenhagen for September.

The European Beer Festival 2008 will take place in the Danish capital September 12-14. The PR people say it's for "discriminating beer connoisseurs" but we're sure you don't have to belong to the toffee-nosed beer-sniffing set to enjoy a beer festival.

This one sounds particularly fun because it will be held in part of the Carlsberg breweries--very recently vacated as production is moving to another site. That means beer fest visitors can see some of the more private parts of the brewery, including the horse stables. Entry tickets include your first two beers and a detailed beer guide, if you want the low down on all the ale you're swilling.

Related Stories:
· European Beer Festival [Official Site]
· Hit the Pub Route in Queensland [Jaunted]
· Copenhagen Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: kevincrumbs]

Tags: Copenhagen Travel / Restaurants / Restaurant Reviews / → All Tags

Copenhagen Conquers Cuisine

Important news flash: Denmark is now serving more than just herring and pork! If, with good cause, you've thought Danish cuisine was one of the poorer exports of the country, you might be surprised on your next visit to Copenhagen, if the theory of a New York Times journalist is true.

After centuries of Danish food being about as bland and uninspiring as a long, sunshine-less winter day in Scandinavia, there's been a sudden revolution which even has Michelin stars starting to adorn the city's restaurants.

The only two-star restaurant, Noma, comes with hearty recommendations. Noma's current menu features a bunch of dishes we probably wouldn't order outside Denmark, but are nonetheless intriguing: Danish lobster with seaweed or musk ox and glazed beet roots, to name a couple. And for dessert, the apparently untranslatable Øllebrød and skyrsorbet. Yep, two of those, please.

Related Stories:
· The Coming of Age of Copenhagen's Nordic Cuisine [NYT]
· Noma [Official Site]
· Denmark Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Noma: trixieskips]

Tags: Danish Design Center / Design Tourism / → All Tags

Copenhagen Is Proud Of Their Designer Loo

Last month blogger, and 100,000 Elite United member, BoiFromTroy found himself in Copenhagen. Of course he visited the Royal Palace, The Round Tower, Hans Christian Andersen haunts, and the Tivoli Gardens. However, what was most interesting to us was how the Danes chose to publicly show off their world renowned design acumen--with a square urinal.

The Danes love to talk about what great designers they are-and had a display of Danish design in one of the main City squares. Here you will see their contribution to mankind-the square urinal.

If you are interested in seeing more toilet wonders, and other great Dane design from Klint to Jensen you can head to the Danish Design Center, pay $6.75 and ogle plenty of Danish design exhibits.

Related Stories:
· Copenhagen Photo Blogging [BoiFromTroy]
· Danish Design Center [Official Site]
· Copenhagen Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo: BoiFromTroy]

Tags: Super World Travelers / Celeb Travel / Justin Timberlake / Jessica Biel / → All Tags

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Take Copenhagen, Super World Traveler Status Is Imminent

Justin and Jessica are making a real push to be crowned the newest Super World Travelers. Day trips to Oslo. Nights in Sweden. Long strolls through the streets of Copehagen--pictured above.

All this is making us think the Jolie Pitt clans best traveling days may be behind them. While Brangelina is probably in some far away place coordinating photo ops that will assure them many more days of keeping the Super World Traveler moniker as we type, we figured we would let JT and JB know a couple tricks of the trade that just might help them clinch SWT status all by themselves.

C'mon, you know these two are absolutely striving for it.

·   DO Ride Lots Of Motorcyles
·   DON'T Get Caught With A Commie Messenger Bag
·   DO Make Sure You Give Us Unforgettable Travel Tips
·   DO Make Sure The Paparazzi Catches An Ass Up Bikini Pose
·   DON'T Get Arrested At Multiple Airports In Multiple Countries

[Photo: Shareapic.net]

Tags: Fashion / Events / Tourism Boards / → All Tags

Copenhagen Catwalk

Copenhagen's real fashion week took place back in February, but a less exclusive event starts tomorrow. Copenhagen Catwalk is organized by the city's tourist board and bills itself as "a fashion festival for everyone." It's something like L.A. fashion week here, except possibly more budget. On the bright side, you still get hot Danish models (but not our hero, Lykke May Andersen, above) and innovative designers, albeit packaged a bit cheesily.

Fashion shows are open to everyone who can pay for a ticket ($13.40) and feature several designers per show, grouped into themes like "Beautiful Rebels" and "Classic Heroes." Just slightly curious is a lecture, also part of Copenhagen Catwalk, entitled "Global Luxury Fashion: 80% Marketing, 80% Sex," that promises to answer the question "Which logo bags guarantee the best orgasms in the Autumn of 2007?" Yes, pray tell, which?

[Photo: WBZ TV]

Related Stories:
· Copenhagen Catwalk [Official Site]
· Copenhagen Fashion Week [Official Site]
· Kid Rock Dating Another Andersen [Daily Dish]

Tags: Public Transportation / Public Transportation Love-Hate / → All Tags

Public Transportation Love-Hate: A Copenhagen Love Story

Jaunted is in the midst of a public transportation festival. Join us in celebrating the ultimate travel tool: a cheap way to get around. Share your stories in the comments or by emailing us at tips [at] jaunted [dot] com.

And so there I was, standing in the arrivals terminal of Copenhagen Airport. My girlfriend had invited me to visit Denmark over the December holiday. We were walking through the arrivals hall like post-trans-Atlantic-flight zombies, looking for her uncle. Then there he was. "Hi, Nezam," I said as we piled into his Citroen. It would be one of only two car rides I took in the next month.

I mean, why would we take the car? It was a bitch to park the thing, and gas probably cost more than beer, which in Denmark is--sadly--expensive. So the girlfriend and I would take the bus or the metro to get where we needed to go.

Actually, I should rephrase that. I would take the metro, since she decided to ditch me the minute we started staying with her family in Copenhagen. There I was, in Europe, trying to be the gracious guest of someone who apparently no longer cared about me. The newly-opened metro was my only buddy.

Sleek beyond all get-out, sexy and there when I needed it, the subway reminded me of my girlfriend when she was on the other side of the pond. I lived for the automated voice on board the driverless trains, "Naeste Station: Kongens Nytorv." That's where I'd get out and transfer to the bus. I lived to hear that sweet voice as the metro glided toward my stop. The only thing that killed me is that I'd be going home not to her, but to my lover.

[Photo: adactio]

Related Stories:
· Copenhagen Metro [Official Site]

Tags: Travel Media / → All Tags

New York Times in Copenhagen

When you think Scandinavia, you think Sweden, Norway, and Finland: IKEA, Svens a-plenty and oodles of black metal music. But Denmark is part of Scandinavia, too, and it deserves the attention of you and your parka just as much--so says the Times.

With just thirty-six hours in Copenhagen, you'd better hoof it hardcore, and the Times recommends renting a bicylcle to hit the hot spots. Play super-tourist for a bit by catching a boat tour from Nyhavn harbor and knocking back a Carlsberg or two at one of its outdoor cafes. If you crave a more artisinal Danish booze, stop by Noma, where you can wash your beer down with a slab of musk ox.

Now that Copenhagen is just another link on Europe's budget airline network, you'll want to avoid the stag party crowds at night. Boutique Lize, "a cooler-than-school bar" will shield you, though we're not sure we want to trade drunk bachelors for the supposed "slumming society girls" that hang out there.

The Times suggests you take Continental from Newark to Copenhagen, but it isn't your only non-stop option: you can fly from Seattle, Chicago, and Atlanta as well, on SAS and Delta, respectively.

[Photo: Tobber]

Related Stories:
· 36 Hours: Copenhagen [NYT]
· Hotels in Copenhagen [HotelChatter]