Ven island – the perfect destination for a day trip

Ven is a tiny island in the Øresund stright, belonging to Sweden. Being an island it can be visited only by ferry, and there are three possible departing points towards Ven: Landskrona (in Sweden, with scheduled departures all year round), Helsingør in Denmark, and Copenhagen (only on summer time).

Me and my girlfriend took the ferry from Copenhagen. The tickets we booked online with only a couple of hours before the departure; then all we needed to do is to get ready and show up at the ferry a bit before its departure time. There is no check in or requirements regarding any arrival time prior boarding.

The ferry is not huge, but it has a sort of a restaurant and place for bicycles, if one wants to take the bike with him/her. However, there is a 90 Dkk fee for the bikes, the same fee one pays for renting a bike on the island of Ven.

I have not mentioned that the little island of Ven is a perfect destination for tour on bike. Thus there are many tourists who take their bikes with them or rent them on the island. We decided to rent bikes on the spot, so after a ride of about one and a half hour with the ferry we arrived on Ven. There we walk for about five minutes uphill until we arrived at the shop where the popular yellow bikes are rented. There is a huge parking lot full of all kiind of bikes (tandem; with support for kids; classic etc.).

The weather was not great but the enthusiasm was high; it was the first time when I was about to start a trip on bike. So we took a map of Ven from the bike shop and we were gone. There are many tourist on bikes, and very few cars. There is harmony and relaxation because no matter the way one take there is no risk of getting lost. There are few houses, many cafes and beautiful nature. Our first stop was a little harbour, just under the old church of Sankt Ibb. There are many little shops with ice-cream snacks and possibility for picnic. After an ice-cream, we head to the church from where we took a beautiful picture and stunning sight. Then we continued riding around the island, discovering many cozy places and beautiful nature. However, due to the weather we didn’t stop for picnic, but we stopped for lunch a Pumpkin Delicatessen and Cafe. It was a very good experience: I had a great pizza with goat cheese and many glasses of organic apple juice, one of the best I have ever drunk. After the lunch the sky broke and and we head back to the harbour, not before we returned the bikes.

The ferry from Copenhagen lives at 09:15 and returns at 16:30, so it is important not to miss it. If missed, there are many camping opportunities on Ven.

There are many positive aspects about Ven, and it might be worth it to visit it for more than one day, but we didn’t have more time; yet, we want to go back there one day.

St. Jean Cap Ferrat & Eze village

Two days ago it was the outdoor adventure day. This is because we decided that instead of laying on one of Nice’s beaches we would rather discover more of Nice surroundings. Thus, we decided to visit St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and walk around that peninsula.

The place is not far away from the city center. However, we traveled there by bus a it took us about half an hour. There was bus 81 that we took from a station close to Acropolis, and we got off at it last station. The route offers a great scenic view which made us many times want to get off and walk around, but we knew that if we would have done that, we would never get to walk  around the peninsula. So we resisted the temptations and we got off at bus’s last stop. 

From the bus stop itself the view was breathtaking, with the view of the sea with its turquoise spots, many small and large yachts, and the sights of the fancy houses on the hills around this place. Our first stop though was the tourist information. With the tips we got from there we started our walking journey expected to take around three hours. We started with the little peninsula on the left of the main St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. This little one has two beaches along its coast, and a chapel. However, after passing the first beach, instead of taking the path along the cost we took the road to the chapel, road that is not spectacular. At the chapel, there is not much to do or see -for my taste- only a chapel which is nice to see, but nothing else, and there is no way to continue the rad to the beach, but to walk back to the walking path. Coming back to the walking path, it is quite rocky so you feet would thank you if you have some comfortable, maybe even outdoor walking shoes on, we didn’t have and at the end of the day we had pain in our feet. The walk along the little peninsula was refreshing but nothing spectacular.

When we completed the walk around this little peninsula, we continued the big walk around the St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. The walk happens in the same conditions as on the little peninsula: rocky path with unspectacular sights. However, after completing about half of this walk, the sights and the walk in general becomes more pleasant. There are still rocks but they become suddenly interesting, with many creeks were one can walk down to the water, great rocks on the sides of the walking path, and towards great views of Nice’surroundings.There were also a place where one could drink water or fill his/hers bottle for the rest of the walk. Moreover, at the end of the walk there is a little beach with a restaurant so one can get some rest and drink or eat something after such a nice outdoor experience.

After we completed the walk, because there was only 2PM we decided to visit the Eze Village. So, we made a short stop at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, after which we hurried to catch the bus 83, not before getting something to eat. I know it sounds as a busy plan, but apart from the visit of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild where we didn’t have time to enjoy everything in a low tempo, we had plenty of time to follow all our plan and to enjoy it in the same time. 

The ride with the bus 83 towards the Eze Village follow the curvy roads up to the mountain, offering some amazing scenic views over the valley and the bay. While in the way up it looks like there is nothing super spectacular, but once at the medieval village of Eze all these feelings are gone because around the little and fancy medieval village, there are plenty of restaurants, hotels and tourists, making the village look like a vivid tourist destination.

The medieval village is very close to the bus station, and it is the main major attraction of this place. Walking along its narrow streets with plenty of restaurants and shops it is a great experience and I would say something that everyone visiting Nice for a holiday shoud do. Moreover, there is also an exotic garden, for which there is a 6 euro fee required. The garden is pretty nice with many different plants and flowers, and with the possibility to enjoy a great view over the bay. Yet, at the time we visited it the weather was not as great as the view might be; there was rain and clouds which hindered the great views of over the bay, or the view of the village. We waited there for a while hoping the weather will turn better, but it didn’t so we decided to take the bus back to Nice. One thing to remember is that there are not so many buses running up to the village, and for example, the last one to go back to nice was at 19:57.

All in all, we had a full day with many kilometers walked, but with great memories and appreciations for the sights we saw. Without having time to enjoy any of the beaches, the walk around the St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the visit of Eze Village can be done in one day if anyone want to do that. If yes, don’t forget the comfortable shoes, camera and enthusiasm. 

Bon voyage!

Monaco? Yes, please!

I am in a short holiday in Nice, France. However, due to the fact that Monaco is only 13 km away from Nice, I couldn’t resist and book a trip to this famous place, and check it out on my own. So, early morning put the clothes on, walk about ten minutes to the Nice train station and I was ready to book the train towards Nice, together with my girlfriend.

Before my trip started I had the surprise effect, because for a couple of days now, there have been a sort of general strike across France; strike that struck the transportation network, which in my case meant less trains running between Nice and Monaco! However, after a 30 minutes long waiting time the train has finally arrive. However, I was only partially happy; this was because there were so many passengers waiting for the train that it was a real struggle to get all in the tinny train. And that was not all, after we all boarded the train, we were stuck like sardines in a can, so people could hardly get off the train in the stations down to Monaco.

The ride between the two cities takes 19 minutes; in our case it took about 30 minutes. However, we were still very excited about this trip, so we were looking forward to discover the city.

From the Monaco’s train station itself the passengers are welcomed with a great view over the bay. However, we were not satisfied with that view, and went for more in the city. The city is not huge, so it is easy to walk around it.

Whether it can be considered as being like or not, but the city is still marked these days by the signs of Monaco Grand Prix hosted here last weekend; so now there are still many constructions and signs of that event, which in some points hinder a super experience. At a point we decided that we want to take the Hop on Hop off bus just to see the main touristic points and that we could continued walking around. We saw many such buses but we were all the time at the wrong point. We got a buss only at Fontvieille.

The ticket for one person with such bus is 22 euro, but it is valid for the entire day. However, a tour takes no longer than one hour. At the end of the tour we were happy with the experience and, as planned, we continued our trip on the food. We thus walked around the beautiful surroundings of Fontvieille, were we also decided to have lunch at restaurant Constantine, a place by the bay.

The sun shinned, the atmosphere is so boheme, clean, colorful and luxurious that it made me not want to go further. Then, we moved slowly towards the Larvotto Beach, a distance of around two kilometers filled with beautiful sceneries at each step. The time went rapidly and we saw ourselves in the position where we had to head to the train station; a way that we made along the shopping centers and the Casino…sliding between luxurious cars like a skier down the slopes.

We didn’t want to go, but on the other side we were cool with the situation, satisfied with all the memories and the pictures we took there.

As a last thought of this day, Monaco is one of the places I would definitely love to visit again; a place that I would recommend to everyone, because it doesn’t disappoint.

From Akureyri to Reykjavik in four and a half hours

I have one more story to share from my short Icelandic trip…the last segment of road from the popular Ring Road; last part: from Akureyri to Reykjavik. As I said in the last post. Akureyri is not one of my favorite type of cities but, it it still has its charm, especially when the weather is very nice, as it was in the morning of our day of departure. Actually the weather was a determinant factor that made us book a whale watching tour with Ambassador. The tour takes three hours and it takes you along the longest fjord in Iceland. Beside whales during this tour we got the chance to enjoy the sights; however, we were lucky enough to see four whales swimming very close to our ship. Awesome experience that worth the money. However, after the whale watching tour there was no time left for anything else but jumping into the car and drive to Reykjavik to meet some friends at 18:00. The clock was 13:00 when we left Akureyri.

The road down to Iceland’s capital is not as interesting as there were all the other segments of road until there. Thus, we made very few stops and very few pictures. This was also the first and the only time we had sausages at a gas station as lunch; those sausages everyone talks about on the YouTube videos about Iceland, sausages presented as being delicious and affordable…which indeed are, but I would still choose to have real meals.

As I said no to much activity, just an awesome traffic tunnel some about 50 km to Reykjavik, for which you have to pay to drive through, else you have to make a huge turn to get to the capital.

All in all there were about 290 km which we did in about four and a half hours, arriving in Reykjavik at around 17:30, just in time to find a parking spot and to meet my friends. Keep in mind though that on this route between Akureyri and Reykjavik there are several speed camera, so drive carefully.

This was it my roadtrip in Iceland. Next, in two days actually, I will travel to Nice, in France for a four days relaxation, with no car but lots of chilling moments and good food.

Stay close and enjoy everything you do!

Dettifoss, Goðafoss and great weather…

Yesterday I arrived in Seyðisfjörður, and after a cozy evening in that charming little town, this morning I continued my journey on the Ring Road towards Akureiry.

As it happened also the last days the weather today was very beautiful, with sun and temperature up to 12-13 degrees Celsius, but in the car the reflection if the sun was more powerful thus I was driving in just a t-shirt.

The segment of road to Egilsstaðir, and even further for some kilometers, was kind of average in offerings, with no very attractive views. However, alter a while I was pleasantly surprised to see an old shelter for sheep; the kind of building built up in the ground. Then we climb up the mountains and drove on top of them for many kilometers through a white carpet set by snow of the just recently gone Icelandic winter. The views were great and the traffic was not busy at all.

The first serious stop of the day was at the Dettifoss waterfall; from the Ring Road one should drive 25 more kilometers on an additional road, on a way that takes you right to the waterfall. However, at the end of the road is not exactly the waterfall; there is one more kilometer to walk through snow…at least at this time of the year there was a lot of snow, and for one like me unprepared for winter it might be a good idea to have an extra pair of shoes with you. The walk through the snow is worth it because the view is amazing, with a reach waterfall falling in a big canyon.

After Dettifoss, the next planned stop was the lagoon from Mytvan. It is not as big as the Blue Lagoon from the South, but apart from the size everything is there: color, smell, warm, pleasure…! For two persons with student cards, the renting of towels, bathrobe and entrance fee rose up to about 9000 ISK.

Although there is possible to eat at the lagoon, we decided to drive further and eat on the way. Not after long time we just saw a farm with a restaurant offering local food and so we stopped. I swear that the food there and the whole experience at the farm was exceptional. Beside the fact that there was possible to pet cows and sheep, the food included raw smoked lamb, artic char, geyser bread and cheese from made at that farm.

Full, we continued driving towards Akueiry. The last stop on the way was another great waterfall…I would say the greatest waterfall I have seen so far in Iceland and generally in the world; it is Goðafoss waterfall. The view of it and the great weather made us feel satisfied with the day so we just kept driving to Akureiry hoping for a good dinner and good rest. At a first impression, even though Akureiry is the second biggest city in Iceland, it has not impressed me yet; there is not much to do or to see.

However, I am really looking forward to tomorrow when I will go in a whale watching tour.

So, if everything goes right tomorrow night I will be able to write about the experience we had with the whales.

From Höfn to Seyðisfjörður

As planned from yesterday evening, today it has been the day to drive to Seyðisfjörður. The day started in the best possible way, with a lot of sun which gave us positive attitude and joy for the rest of the day.

As soon as we took the breakfast in Höfn, we went to the tourist information office to ask for suggestions about what to do around Höfn. However, we left from the information office with no so many options since the lady working there said she didn’t know much about the whole area, but she suggested we visit the glaciers in the direction to Vik, and do the one hour walk around Höfn’s coast; for more info about the attractions towards Seyðisfjörður she suggested we have to ask at info office in Djopivogur. We decided to do the walk, which proved to be refreshing with nice views.

After the walk we decided to go take off to our destination for today, Seyðisfjörður. We set the info in the GPS and there we drove. Although the route is neither very short but nor too long, just about 220 km, without detours, there are a lot of beautiful sights, that made us stop many times to take pictures or just to stare at the beautiful display of the nature.

The first stop we made in Djopivogur, a town in one of the stunning fjords on the southern coast of Iceland. There we went to the information office to ask about what can be done/seen from there up to Seyðisfjörður. There we got lots of booklets with info about the whole region. However, first we had lunch at a very nice restaurant inside a hotel called Hotel Framtid. The food is not the cheapest in the town but is very good and the place looks great. I highly recommend it.

We visited also the birds’ eggs expo but we were not impress. Yet, the whole town is very picturesque and worth a visit.

Then we decided to drive further, having in mind to stop also in the other towns from the other fjords on our way. Yet, the planned changed because the other town are very small and we didn’t see it was worth stopping; so the next and last stop was at the destination in Seyðisfjörður. Nevertheless we still stopped many times to take pictures.

On the way there were also two tunnels, and a unpleasant paved segment of the road (on the Ring Road) which is not possible to avoid; it has a length of few kilometers. Moreover, the last part of the trip, after exiting from the second tunnel, the road takes drivers up the mountains where at this time of the year is a lot of snow (not on the road though).

Furthermore the 25 km segment from Egilsstadir to Seyðisfjörður is a curved road up the mountain, after which is the down the mountain drive to the fjord. The view is amazing, though we caught a cloudy weather.

Seyðisfjörður is a small village but is has its charm. It is not much to do here but, a nice walk and very beautiful scenery justify such an choice. In Seyðisfjörður we are hosted at the old post house which is now transformed in accommodation under the name of  Hotel Snæfell.

Because we have already walk around all the village, we plan that tomorrow we are leaving early further towards the second biggest city of Iceland, Akureyri.

Lets sleep well and get ready for some more action waiting for us tomorrow.

Don’t skip in New Zealand: Southern Scenic Route!

I have just done with driving the whole Southern Scenic Route. For the ones who don’t know what this is; or where it is, I can shortly say that is the road beginning in Queenstown and ending in Dunedin; road with a length of about 610 km. Along the route, as the name says it too, there are many natural and cultural attractions. However, for more info, our friend “Google” can help. Moreover, there is also a webpage for this route, http://www.southernscenicroute.co.nz/  !

When I began driving this route I didn’t even know about it; it was only at Te Anau, when I first heard about it, and I decided to drive on it to its end.

The route is magnificent, because it takes you through the great nature and scenery of New Zealand: mountains, sea, hills, cities etc. This also means that driving is more entertaining and requires more attention.

In some segments of the route, the distances are not very big, but it takes time due to the roads: either very sharp curves, or gravel roads. For instance from Invercargill to Dunedin, it takes about four hours and a half, if one wants to stop by most of the many natural attractions on the way, of which most of them are at driving distances on gravel roads.

It is also important to pay attention to the gas level of the car, since in some parts of the road there are long distances between gas stations.

Today, like I said, I’ve driven between Te Anau and Dunedin, and I stop among others at Waipapa Point, Bluff, Purakaunui Waterfall and Curo Bay. The scenery is amazing in all these places. Moreover, I got to see fur seals at Waipapa Point, but there was a very hot day and the seals were laid on the sand, or better said. covered in sand. At Curo Bay the beach is breathtaking: large, golden and fine sand, turquoise waters…still, no seals or penguins as expected. The Purakaunui Waterfall was a bit disappointing for me; it is a small waterfall with nothing spectacular, although it is promoted as the most photographed waterfall in New Zealand! At Bluff, I was to visit the debated southernmost place in New Zealand. There is a sign to mark this fact, and many tourist coming to see it too.

The above paragraph mention a couple of attractions I visited while driving the Southern Scenic Route. These together with the rest of the attractions, good weather, a camera and enthusiasm leads to a great experience. I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

Napier: the city with three lookout points!

Napier is a nice city: on the Pacific coast. interesting building design, crowds everywhere, vineyards…and not the last, it has three lookout points. I learned about them step by step: about one I heard from the receptionist of our hotel, about the other one I learned alone, while running, and the third one I discovered while in the way to the one previously mention.

However, the most attractive and the one you dont want to miss, is called Te Mata, and it is about 30 km away from the center of Napier. Even though it seems a long distance away, it takes about 35 minutes by car, but the reward is great: great views all over the region, especially if there is a sunny day. Moreover, if one has time to enjoy it, then it can be a great idea to leave the car at the entrance in the Te Mata Park, and then walk/run to the summit.

The other one is called Buff Peak and it is at about 30 minutes walk from the city center. Many talks about it as a great place to see the surroundings. I didn’t enjoy it so much because the view is limited to the port and the areas surrounding it, nothing more.

The third one, is not far away from the city; only 10-15 minutes walking. The view is also limited due to the vegetation and the constructions. Yet this spot is better than Buff because from here can be seen the beach and a part of Napier, at least.

So, there are many options to see Napier from above, but if you get time and excitment, try all of them, otherwise don’t miss Te Mata Summit.

The best two places to have a fika in Stockholm!

I have just returned from a two days trip to Stockholm. Unexpectedly I found Stockholm as being a very attractive city with many offerings, especially for the tourists. Among these one of them is on the lips of almost everyone travelling to this particular city, and generally in Sweden: FIKA!!!

Fika seems to be a social thing meant to bring people together; at least this is my understanding of it. However, according to one of my school teachers, fika refers to the moment when at least two people meet together for a coffee and a kanelbulle (cinnamon cookie); more than this, for such a moment to be called a fika, it requires that the ones meeting together socialize as much as possible. Moreover, according to one of the receptionists from Radisson Blu Viking Hotel (the hotel I stayed in Stockholm) -answering to a question of mine referring to this subject- fika can be served at any time during the day (not just in the morning as I had thought it happens).

Now, like I said, I didn’t know much about the city, but as a tourist I knew and I wanted to try fika; and I wanted to try it not just to thick it on my list, but I wanted to try the best places for fika, not to brag about it (although it is also a very big temptation) but also to get the best out of this experience.

Since I stayed there only two days, I tried fika only two times (once every day) not being able to drink more coffee. Yet, I am sure I had tried fika in two very cool places in Stockholm, which are ready to offer the best experience to anyone visiting them; therefore I want to share them here with you, hoping that this hints will give you some inspiration.

The first place I visited was Vete-Katten. It was only the first day of my stay in Stockholm, and after a thorough research on internet about the best places to have fika, I chose to follow as inspiration Stockholm’s DMO (Destination Management Organization) guidance. There in a select group of only five places best to have fika, Vete-Katten was one that caught my eyes. I can’t say exactly for what reason; maybe only because it was the closest one to my hotel…which means it is very close to the Stockholm’s Central Station and to the shopping street. However, if one doesn’t know about it, it may be easy to pass by it without noticing it, and so missing a great experience.

I had such a great time there, and I liked so much this coffee-shop that I cannot find the right words to convey the right feeling and the richness of the one hour time I spent there. First of all I must mention that even though I discovered it on internet, I didn’t read more about; the address was the only thig I read. So, when I arrived at the destination I was pleasantly surprised to see that Vete-Katten has a super nice patio in-between the buildings, offering a green and quiet environment, just perfect for a coffee and a relaxing chat in a late Saturday morning.

Then, I crossed the patio to go inside the coffee-shop and order my coffee and my cinnamon cookie. Inside another nice surprise: the design is very beautiful, making me feel like I was visiting an art house or a royal palace.

Yet, the counter or at least a stuff member was kind of difficult to find, so I kindly ask another customer about where she had got her coffee from; just then I understood that the place is actually bigger, and I have to keep going turning right and then left and just then I will find the counter. I did so and I ended up in front of a beautiful and appealing area with a lot of super cakes, cookies and sandwiches. Since I knew I want the fika, I asked what exactly fits with the concept and I got a coffee with a cinnamon cookie. Happy to have reached my goal, and with my hands busy with the yummy coffee and cookie, I went outside and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, having a nice chat with my girlfriend. This is the story of the first place I visited for fika.

The second one I had discovered also on internet, and it is Cafe Pascal; a cafe which I found out it won the award of the best coffee shop in Stockholm, in 2015. So, fika in the best coffee shop in Stockholm!!! What else could be more appealing to me?! Cafe Pascal was neither very close to my hotel, but nor too far away. I had to take the metro (the green line) for three stops from the Central Station in order to arrive to it. So I got off at Odenplan Station, and walked for circa two minutes to be there.

I don’t know Stockholm, but it location seemed to be a bit outside of the touristic areas of the city, and so created in my mind an image of a coffee-shop with an authentic Swedish feeling; and I liked that feeling. However, from outside the coffee shop looks like many other coffee-shops in the city: clean environment and a couple of tables with people gathered around them.

Then I went inside, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover a very large room, designed with style, with an aired feeling, clean and with smiling baristas ready to welcome each of their customers. I couldn’t resist the temptation and before everything else I took some pictures, as if I was afraid that I am in a dream and I risk to wake up at any moment and lose all that nice sight.

Just when I decided I took enough pictures I decided to go to the bar to see what they have and to order. But it was not so easy because at the bar I discovered a lot of very appealing pastries and sandwiches, so it suddenly became very hard decide what I order. Because the menu didn’t help me either (it was all in Swedish) I decided to ask a barista for some recommendation. The barista was very relaxed and confident, but of course it stated asking me questions about what I usually like so he can make a recommendation; but this strategy doesn’t work too well for me, because I like so many things that is very difficult to make a decision. In the end, I decided to go for an appealing sandwich (the traditional cinnamon cookie I had it in the previous day, so I considered it was time for a change) and –suggested by the barista- I had an espresso tonic (i had never had one, or heard of something like that). Then I went to the table I considered good enough to add value to the pictures I will take with my kind of fika. Once I manage to do this, you can already figure out what came after: picture, picture, picture again, eat, drink and talk (again with my girlfriend). I didn’t want to leave the place, this is how much I like it! I girlfriend walked put the coffee-shop but I was still inside, taking pictures, feeling like I want to take as many memories as possible with this superb place!

In the end fika is nothing new or different than having a good coffee out together with someone else, at least this is my view. Yet, it turned in a exciting asset for Sweden to sell itself better to tourists; but no matter of any of these, if you want to have a fika or a great coffee in Stockholm than this two places are a must. I haven’t been to many other places in Stockholm, but based on my experience I consider these places as very good, and even though there might be other good places in Stockholm I am sure that they are no better than Vete-Katten and Café Pascal.

Go try them and then you will understand my excitement.

Lunchtime on the Peblinge Lake!

Summer is about to be over, at least in the northern part of Europe. Yet there might be few more days with very beautiful and warm days, when any of us would like to spend the day somewhere out, chilling next to a drink and enjoying a nice view.

Thus for all of those belonging to this category of people, I might have a suggestion, at least for those living or visiting Copenhagen. My suggestion is to go and spend some quality time at Kaffesalonen (http://www.kaffesalonen.com/), on the Peblinge Lake (Peblinge Sø).

I was there myself on the beautiful Saturday that has just past, and I had a great time. The interest in this place had been built up by my brain some long time ago. It is so because it, my brain, linked the excellent position – on the lake – of the cafe, with my interest in exploring new places and enjoying a day next to the water…and this link was made all the time I travelled by bus around that place. So, at a moment when all the Danish media was talking about the great weather from this last weekend and about the best and sunniest August in the last 11 years (http://www.dmi.dk/nyheder/arkiv/nyheder-2015/08/dejlig-varm-august-maaned/), I couldn’t remain cold to it, and I decided to go out and enjoy the day at this particular place from my must-do list, Kaffesalonen. With no reservation, but with my girlfriend and two more friends, we hit the road together towards this cafe.

Kaffesalonen is centrally located, some 10 minute walk from Nørreport Station, in Nørrebro’s direction. Then, just after passing Queen Louise Bridge, which is the most crowded bicycle bridge in the whole world (https://designtoimprovelife.dk/busybikecph/), we turned left (the cafe can be easily seen from the bridge) and there we are, ready to meet one of my interest summer spots in Copenhagen.

Kaffesalonen – on the left side of the lake!

Without being welcomed or anything like that we walked alone around the place, looking for a spot to satisfy everyone of us: chairs, tables, standing, sitting etc. In the end, we decided to seat in the area that looks like it was designed for picnic.

There we had the menus as well; menus that I would say offers a quite good diversity of drinks and food.  After a thoroughly check of them, we decided to order; but for this we had to go the bar.

The bar!

India Pale Ale Beer!!!

At the bar we thought we could order both food and drinks, but we were wrong: only the drinks could be ordered at the bar, for the food it is necessary to cross the street and go to the cemented location of Kaffesalonen, and place the order there. However, we ordered the drinks and with them went to order the food.

On the way there I unpleasantly discovered that my beloved ice coffee was actually ice-cream coffee, a totally other think that, despite its desired refreshing effect, it is very sweet and it has nothing to do with the ice coffee I know, like and want: coffee and ice, dot. Disappointed to have been paid 45 kr for a drink I didn’t want, I was looking for a better experience from the food. Like I said, the cafe is just over the street, and it looks like many other coffee shops in Copenhagen: that Danish style, with simple arrangements, bare walls and, in this case, grey walls although they were designed for sure to be white. When at the desk, I had another disappointment: the waitress told me that even for my Caesar salad, the average waiting time was of about 40 minutes!!!! I was blank for a second, then I started joking and in the end I still ordered the salad, paying 119 kr, knowing that we would be there for at least one more hour; but still 40 minutes!!!!

My Caesar salad

These chain of events were the most challenging facts of that afternoon, because once we return to our fancy spot we started talking and having a great time while enjoying the hot rays of the sun. The place is magnificent! Imagine only: you are in the middle of the city but in the same time you can lie down, even strip, and enjoy the sun next to the lake! It was all I needed. In the end, I received the salad too. It was very good, but the memories of those 40 minutes made it taste less delicious that it actually was.

We spent there about three amazing hours, and then we had to go with the thought that we have to return there again, maybe next year.

As a last line, I don’t specifically recommend Kaffesalonen, but I recommend its position and its great asset…the seating on the lake.