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Denmark

From Canals to Castles: Copenhagen With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23714RJ
From the castles and villages that inspired Hans Christian Andersen and William Shakespeare to Viking ships and royal chambers, explore all things Danish with your grandchild.
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GrandparentCity DiscoveriesAges 9 – 14
Length
9 days
Rating (4.83)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,599 / ADULT
3,599 / CHILD
Flights start at
1,250

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
15 meals ( 7B, 3L, 5D )
2 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
1 flight during the program
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. This program is staffed with a Group Leader who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics; a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics; and a Children’s Coordinator who will lead grandchildren’s activities. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off boats; canal boat ride is approximately 1.5 hours, Harbour Bus boat ride is approximately 1/2 hour. Walking about 4.5 miles, approximately 3.5 hours; periods of standing; paved city streets, cobblestones and steps, wooden boardwalks with handrails to board canal boat.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll begin today with a lecture in the hotel given by a local expert, during which we’ll learn about Danish culture and language. Following this, we’ll walk to nearby Nyhavn — “new harbor” – a 17th-century waterfront area. Then, we’ll set out on a relaxing canal boat ride, discovering the beautiful city of Copenhagen from its waterways with expert commentary from our Group Leader.
Lunch:
At a Danish street food market, we’ll have vouchers to select food and drinks from a variety of food stalls, which we’ll enjoy together at the seating area in the center of the market.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will take the local boat known as the Harbour Bus to Toldboden, then walk past Amalienborg Palace and through the King’s Garden to Rosenborg Castle. Set in the heart of Copenhagen, the castle contains over 400 years of beautiful history, artistic treasures, and delightful gardens. On site, grandparents will receive an expert-led look at the interior, whilst grandchildren will explore the castle grounds with our Group Leader. Our Group Leader will lead us on the short walk back to the hotel after our field trip. Those of us who wish to remain in the area close to the castle and return independently are welcome to do so.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 4.5 miles, approximately 5 hours; periods of standing; paved city streets with many cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel this morning, we’ll meet with an expert who will tell us all about the life and works of Hans Christian Andersen, the influential author of fairytales including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and The Pea,” and “Thumbelina.” The children will try their skills with paper cutting, just as Andersen did. We’ll then set out on a walk around the city’s historic center to see the sights that inspired his famous stories. Andersen spent much of his life in Copenhagen, after moving to the city from Odense at the age of 14 to try to work as a ballet dancer. We’ll finish our walk outside the Royal Danish Opera.
Lunch:
On your own to sample more of the local fare.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we’ll regroup and explore the Royal Danish Opera during a Road Scholar exclusive behind-the-scenes field trip. We’ll see where stage workers ply their trade, as well as marvel at the work of the in-house tailors amongst many other aspects that go into producing world-class stage operas.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles roundtrip, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; museum paced standing and walking.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and begin our journey to Odense, located on the island of Funen, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, for a full-day field trip. Upon arrival, we will visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum for a lecture and guided tour led by a local expert. Afterward, we will transfer to Egeskov Castle, built in 1554 and renowned as one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance water castles.
Lunch:
On your own to explore the many dining options at Egeskov Castle.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will come together for an expert-led tour of Egeskov Castle, where we will explore its rich history and take part in some of the many activities available on-site. Following the guided tour, you will have free time to wander the castle grounds at your leisure, discovering its stunning gardens, exhibitions, and unique attractions. At a designated time, we will regroup and begin our journey back to Copenhagen.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant en route back to Copenhagen.
Evening:
At leisure. We will return to our hotel late evening.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train; riding under 1 hour total. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 3.5 miles; approximately 4.5 hours; periods of standing during field trips; paved city streets and paths with some cobblestones, grass, and some steps in outdoor areas at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk to the nearby train station and board a train to travel through beautiful countryside to the historic port city of Helsingør (Elsinore) where the 16th-century Kronborg Castle – the setting of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – stands. Upon arrival, we’ll walk along the harbor from the train station to the castle where we’ll explore the interior with a local expert. The UNESCO inscription states, “The castle itself is a Renaissance building with four wings surrounding a spacious courtyard. The bright sandstone facades are characterized by horizontal bands and the front walls are balanced by towers and spires. The castle is extensively and richly decorated with sandstone ornaments in unique and imaginative designs. The Great Hall (the banqueting hall) is one of the most exquisite rooms from this time – and the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.” After exploring the castle, we’ll take a walk along the quaint cobbled streets and try some of the famous local ice cream.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a train and ride to Humlebaek for a field trip at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Grandparents will set out on an expert-led exploration of its eclectic exhibitions, whilst grandchildren will accompany their Group Leader to the terraced sculpture garden to play. The museum’s founder, Knud W. Jensen, intended it to be a home for Danish modern art when it opened in 1958. However, he quickly broadened his geographical scope and the museum now holds a significant international collection, making it Scandinavia’s leading museum of modern art. We will then return to Copenhagen by motorcoach.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner we will walk to visit one of Copenhagen’s vibrant board game cafes. The Danish concept of “hygge” — which translates loosely to “cozy togetherness” — has captured the world’s imagination in recent years, and we’ll experience it firsthand in the friendly environment of this café dedicated to bringing people together through play.
Activity Note
Getting on/off the metro/a train; riding approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a Viking ship; total field trip time is approximately 2 hours including instruction in rowing and sailing. Life jackets must be worn at all times while aboard. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours; paved and gravel paths, grass, wooden boardwalks. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, over 1/2 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the metro to the central station, where we’ll board a train and ride to Roskilde to experience life as Vikings. Roskilde was founded in the 10th century by the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, and was Denmark’s capital from the 11th century until 1443. We’ll first explore the Viking Ship Museum, led by docents who study archaeology and history at local universities. During our visit, we’ll see the museum’s preserved 11th-century ships and the boatyard where replica vessels are constructed using traditional shipbuilding techniques and tools. We’ll also see the completed vessels in the harbor and watch the Viking craft at the outdoor workshops. After exploring the museum, we’ll board a faithful replica Viking ship that was built at the museum’s boatyard. We’ll then take to the water to try our hands at rowing and setting the sails, imagining how it may have been to do this a thousand years ago.
Lunch:
At the museum café.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue to navigate the waters around Roskilde, learning from our captain about skills the Vikings would have needed to dominate the seas. Once docked back at the museum, we’ll return to Copenhagen by motorcoach.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking or taking the metro to palace. Walking approximately 3 miles, about 4 hours; periods of standing during field trips; paved city streets, cobblestones, gravel paths, grass.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin today by walking or taking the metro to Christiansborg Palace, a palace and government building located on the tiny island of Slotsholmen in the center of Copenhagen. The three branches of Denmark’s governmental system are all located within this building, which makes it unique because no other building in the world holds the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power of a nation, all in the same place. While here, we’ll discover the Royal Reception rooms of the Queen, and the children will pay a special visit to the Royal Stables with the white horses. These rooms are still used by the Danish Royal Family for official duties, but they are usually open to visitors when no events are scheduled.
Lunch:
On your own to sample more of the regional cuisine.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we’ll board the metro and head for the fairytale atmosphere of Tivoli Gardens for a full afternoon of exploration. Our Group Leader will introduce us to the gardens, then we’ll have some time to explore and test rollercoasters and other activities them for ourselves. Tivoli is one of the world’s oldest operating amusement parks and pleasure gardens, and since its foundation in 1843 has played a central role in Copenhagen’s city life as a venue for cultural events including theater and musical performances.
Dinner:
At Tivoli Gardens. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
After some more time for independent exploration at Tivoli Gardens, we’ll return to the hotel by the metro. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, depending on flight departure times. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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