INTRODUCTION
THE FAMILY WAY!
VISIT DENMARK
Never mind see-saws, Denmark has its famous work-life balance and children as contented as their parents
By Ben Hamilton Ever noticed how many popular TV series have the word ‘family’ in them? ‘Modern Family’, ‘Family Guy’, ‘Family Ties’, ‘The Addams Family’, ‘Family Feud/Fortunes’ … the list is kind of endless. After all, as far as target customers go, the family’s an easy gig, sitting and laughing together, tolerant of repeats and missed beats. Nobody’s going to put the word ‘family’ in a horror or disaster film. Family is its own genre. But none of this is very cool. A quick search on Google reveals that ‘family’ is a word avoided at all costs by the music industry. Only the Pointer Sisters prevailed with ‘We are family’. Nobody
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wants to like the same music as their Dad. Far more than normal Denmark might be an exception, though. The result of its famous work-life balance perhaps (see pages 4-5), families appear to enjoy far more time and activities together. Ever noticed how popular those ‘Far til fire’ films are? At the last count, there have been 19 … and they’ve been going strong since 1959. No fantasy, like with most children’s films, it’s mostly munDane. Besides, Lukas Graham seemed to do pretty well singing about family – and never mind dancing with Dad, there are times when it even sounds like they’re listening to his advice. Unique childhood When you consider Scandinavian
FAMILY GUIDE AUT UM N 2 020
life in general – from the hygge and the Jantelovn, to the short prison sentences for murderers and the liberal attitudes to sex and nudity – you start to realise that most of this stems from what is a rather unique childhood (see pages 6-7). When it comes to bringing up their kids, the Danes are steadfastly against going with the flow, as if they’re saying: “You’re disgusted by a TV show that shows weird-looking naked adults to pre-teens … fine, you deal with the fallout when an entire generation thinks perfect is the norm” and “Children need to see what the inside of a giraffe looks like.” As long-stay expats in Denmark, foreign parents face a challenge ensuring their offspring retain their nationality. And sometimes the easiest option is to just give in and let your children absorb their surroundings.
Orientated to kids After all, it’s tremendous fun being a kid in Denmark. With playgrounds in every park and sports and culture clubs vying for their after-school participation, there is never a shortage of activities for them to do (see pages 8-9). While the options may dry up in the winter, this gives families more time to huddle up at home for hygge, heated boardgame sessions and home cinema. And then in the summer, the country is yours with all manner of family excursions just a few hours away (see pages 10-11). We hope this special edition will inspire you and your brood to make the most of your time in Denmark. Few countries are more orientated and suited to wholesome family fun.
Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen • Info: hans@cphpost.dk • Tel: +45 2420 2411
INTRODUCTION
PULLING A SKIFFY FACEBOOK/THOMAS DAMBO
A new Thomas Dambo troll is welcoming guests in Nordhavn. Like Dambo’s six giant carvings in the west of the capital region, ‘Captain Nalle’ is made mostly from salvaged wood and with the help of local labour and volunteers.
Kids’ City Bring the whole family to a playful world and explore together how we can create the best cities for children. Free for children Exhibition 7 February – 3 January 2021
ur y o o j En er met de 40sli l ra spi
dac.dk/en
WORK LIFE BALANCE
FAMILY GUYS: WHY DENMARK IS THE
WORLD LEADER FOR THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE VISIT DENMARK
A shorter working week than most countries, lots of days off and a generous holiday allowance – it’s no wonder so many expats love working here
By Ben Hamilton Some of us live to work, others work to live, but it’s not something that many of us would admit to – either way!
of honour to be the first one in the office and the last one out, but here in Denmark leaving early is encouraged and expected.
Homework’s out forever Come 16:00 most days, offices empty in two minutes flat.
Employees with a wholesome, fulfilled family life are more sought after than workaholics. Tell your prospective employer that you admire the Danish work-life balance.
While Friday bars are gaining in popularity, you can bet your bottom dollar that every departing parent is whizzing off to daycare or school to pick up the kids, or back home to start work on dinner, which the whole family will invariably gather around a table to enjoy.
Even if it’s a blatant lie and you think they’re the laziest people in Europe.
After all, it’s hardly selling your work commitment in an interview if you say: “This job is beneath me; I’m just here for the pay check.”
Every bairn is sacred A good example of the work-life balance is the respect shown for the word ‘family’.
Likewise, it’s debatable how well “My job is my North, my South, my East and West; my working week and my Sunday rest” will do at a speed-dating event.
Should you be unable to attend a work function because it is your daughter’s birthday, or even have to leave work on deadline day because of a family emergency, no eyebrows will be raised … not even a frown.
Besides, Danes are hopeless with cultural references. Workaholic-free zone But then again, there is strong evidence to suggest that working to live is exactly the kind of sentiment you should be signalling if you want to work for a Danish company. In India or South Korea or the US, it’s a badge
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Families are sacred, and it is completely normal to leave the office for a couple of hours during the day to take Junior to the dentist, or to leave early to make it in time for his little sister’s piano recital. Make risque jokes all you like – the Danes love dark humour – but never make fun of a colleague bailing out of going to the pub after work!
It’s so respected that there are even some schools that don’t issue homework in case it encroaches on the family hygge. And somehow … Danish companies thrive and academic excellence is the norm. Expats love it here The work-life balance is cited as the most important factor in expats accepting a job in Denmark, according to Expat Study 2020, a sextennial report compiled by Oxford Research on behalf of Danski Industri, which was released in July. Some 86 percent of the working expats who have been here less than five years agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they “without doubt enjoyed living in Denmark”. “The more it becomes clear that in Denmark
WORK LIFE BALANCE you can get good working assignments, a good salary and a reasonable work-life balance, the more it increases companies’ advantage in the fierce global competition for talent,” commented Steen Nielsen, the DI deputy general-secretary. Denmark a world leader The Danish work-life balance has been consistently popular with expats over the last decade, and it is clearly an area in which Denmark is a world leader. It was number one in Europe, according to a TotallyMoney survey in November 2017. Respondents praised the relatively short working week, the abundance of bank holidays and a good holiday allowance. Compared to neighbours Sweden, the secondranked country, its average working week was 3.5 hours shorter, although with just 11, it had three fewer bank holidays. Denmark didn’t have the shortest working week, trailing the Netherlands (third overall), which averages 30.3 hours. However, the Dutch had the second fewest number of bank holidays. Best in the capital Going one better perhaps, an annual survey carried out by the global expat community network InterNations has rated Denmark as having the best work-life balance for expats in the world – on several occasions. Most respondents expressed unhappiness with the country in general – most particularly with the difficulty they have making Danish friends – but 76 percent said they were satisfied with their work-life balance (compared to a global average of 61 percent), and 82 percent were happy with their working hours.
Highly-educated “With just 39.7 hours per week (vs 44.3 hrs globally), expats working full time in Denmark have the shortest working week out of the top 10 countries with a great work-life balance,” InterNations remarked. “Maybe it’s that benefit which attracts highly educated expats: close to half the respondents in Denmark (47 percent) have a master’s degree or similar. Additionally, 12 percent hold a PhD (vs. 6 percent globally), which is – together with Sweden – the highest share out of the featured top 10.” According to the Expat Study 2020, 38 percent
VISIT DENMARK
In Copenhagen, 83 percent were happy with their working hours and 84 percent said they liked the work-life balance. In fact, 47 percent said it could not be better, compared to a global average of 20 percent.
of all expats and their spouses have a master’s degree, 29 percent a bachelor’s and 8 percent a doctorate. Very important The work-life balance was highly valued by Brian Lawrence Odlaug, an American expat working in the Danish pharmaceutical industry, who CPH POST spoke to in July 2018. “I think the balance between work and family is extremely good here. It is respected that your family is important and that you have a
life outside of work. In the US, the workinghours are longer and there is more pressure. So, I think there is a major difference in the mentality and the culture,” he said. “It is just a little bit more relaxed here in Denmark. However, this does not mean the quality and the amount of work is less here, because what we end up achieving is comparable to what we could achieve in the States. I think that is a reflection of the worklife balance.” FAMILY GUIDE AUTUMN 2 02 0
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CHILDHOOD
HOW DANISH CHILDHOODS ARE TRULY UNIQUE AND INCREASINGLY MIMICKED
VISIT DENMARK
Whether it’s learning from play, the efterskole boarding schools, or finishing it all off aboard a deathtrap truck, the traditions are wild and varied
By Ben Hamilton Childhoods and bizarre customs go hand-inhand around the world. In Solapur, India, it starts early. At the age of two months, babies are tossed off the roof of a ten metre-high shrine and caught in a hammock – a leap of faith apparently. In Greece, some godparents are instructed to make infants cry on purpose during their christening ceremony, because it’s bad luck if they don’t. Certain Kenyan tribes, including the Kisli and Gusli, discourage eye contact between mothers and children because it gives the youngsters power. Studies claim the children are less attention-seeking as a result. In Egypt, it’s considered rude to ever show the soles of your shoes to someone, as it sends the message that you think they are beneath you.
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While the Wolof tribe in Mauritania spit on a new-born to give them luck. The mother aims for the cheeks, while Dad is expected to let fly in the baby’s ear, after which the saliva is rubbed all over the face.
And that’s only scratching the surface of the uniqueness of the Danish childhood. Here is a selection of the highlights of a highly traditional upbringing that other nations are increasingly trying to ape.
Denmark’s fair share In Denmark, most customs are perhaps more palatable, but no less bizarre.
Early starters The most unique aspect of Danish childcare is how early the kids start.
Fastelavn, for example, is perfectly nuts. In February or March every year, depending on Easter, kids line up to smash a barrel full of sweets to pieces. In olden days, it used to contain a live cat … In the build-up to Easter, kids write a gaekkebrev (fool’s letter) that requires the recipient to guess the identity of the sender. Failure will cost them a chocolate egg. But there do tend to be clues.
Thanks to a heavily-subsidised system that makes it affordable for nearly all parents, it is not uncommon for infants to start attending a nursery before their first birthday.
Danish advent calendars often have bigger windows than their overseas counterparts. It’s not unheard of for the kids to get a present every single day of December, although a gift every Sunday is more common.
Once they start nursery, and then at kindergarten from the age of three to six, the children won’t be schooled. For example, there is no introduction to the alphabet or times table, although English tuition is creeping in!
And let’s not forget that when men turn 25, they are doused in cinnamon if they are still unmarried. As a flammable spice, it’s not unheard of for them to go up in flames.
Of course, that’s only if they’re lucky enough to get a place. In the meantime, many start with a dagplejemore, a home-based professional with typically five or six children under their care.
But they are learning through their play – chiefly about empathy, and this is one of the elements of Danish childcare that sets itself out from other countries.
CHILDHOOD Finally some learning The subtle lessons in humanity continue at the public school, where the first year (ages 6-7) is actually called the kindergarten class. Beyond learning the alphabet, the focus is again on play, with another agenda at work: acceptance. At this point, should children be outwardly different – behaviourally, ethnically or even disabled – an adult (teacher or parent) will address this, so there are no unspoken assumptions or misconceptions. Parents play a large role in their children’s schooling. In constant contact with one another and the teachers, they organise social events and address issues when they arise. It’s no exaggeration to note that some are more heart-broken than their kids when the final day of school arrives, such is the strength of some of their friendships with the other parents! The Danish education is far less focused on rote learning and being competitive, giving the children the space to develop. Exams are as rare as anxiety, and nowhere is this more apparent than at aftenskole. The after-school clubs, which are hosted by the schools themselves for the first four grades (ages 6-10), play a large role in the students’ development, giving them a chance to explore interests in arts and crafts, subjects not covered in the classroom, and lots of cultural activities. VISIT DENMARK
Throughout the school day, the atmosphere is always informal, with children addressing the teachers by their christian names – and even nicknames in some cases! Boarding school The teacher-student relationship is even closer at the efterskole boarding schools attended by teenagers (ages 14-17) for one year, normally as a stop-gap between elementary and upper-secondary schooling – after all, they are with each other all day, and part of the night if the students behave like Harry Potter and his friends! Every year, around 30,000 students in Denmark embark on their ‘ninth and a half grade’ – a full year of both academic and vocational pursuits – at one of the country’s 250 efterskoles. The fees will set back parents between 50,000 and 100,000 kroner for the full year depending on their financial situation, as there are substantial state subsidies provided. Denmark’s first efterskole was founded in 1879 with the belief that education should be geared to producing fully-rounded human
beings and not just learning by rote. Since the 1980s some schools have specialised in specific areas, such as sport or music, or catering to students with particular needs, such as those with dyslexia or even late-developers. The children are expected to spend the entire week at the efterskole, but are free to leave over the weekend. However, most require them to not to leave for the first fortnight, whilst foregoing their mobile phones, in order to embed them into the style of living. Dazed and confused The upper-secondary gymnasiums, like US high schools, educate children for three years, so in Denmark, with an extra year spent at efterskole, it’s not uncommon for some 20-year-old graduates among the leavers. They leave in some style, spending a whole day and night in late June on a ‘vogntur’
aboard an open-air truck – there has been the odd accident! – as they visit the homes of every student to enjoy a drink. With music blahing, and the students cheering, they are quite a sight! Now, unlike public school, students can attend gymnasium anywhere in Denmark, regardless of where they live, so these truck odysseys can go on for quite some time. Gymnasium students, with their reputation for debauchery enshrined in the constitution thanks to their riotous final-year trips to the likes of Prague and Krakow, really know how to party. And on graduation day, they know how to dress too. Their unique graduation caps are proudly displayed on their heads between finishing their exams and the ‘vogntur’ – if they survive that night they’re then safely stored away for posterity. FAMILY GUIDE AUTUMN 2 02 0
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SPORTS & LEISURE
NEVER A DULL DAY IN DENMARK
COPENHAGEN CELTIC
Kids and adults alike will find a huge range of sports and other activities in Denmark – a country where fun is serious business
By Luke Roberts Activities outside of work and school are fundamental to Danish society: they are the cornerstones upon which the work-life balance for which it is famed are upheld, and it is a process which emerges early. Three in four Danish children are actively involved in sport on a regular basis, and about half of all adults are members of some variety of sports club. Sports are a big deal in Denmark. Any expat seeking a taste of Danish life for themselves or their children are encouraged to pick out a sporting endeavour. There are clubs that cater to almost any want or desire when it comes to a sporting activity, but all share the same ethos: enjoyability and camaraderie are tantamount, with competition taking a distant second place. Teamwork makes the dream work The beautiful game is one of Denmark’s biggest sports, and it is enjoyed by all ages. For a country of less than 6 million people, football clubs boast
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a membership of over 330,000. Clubs, catering to the youngest of football’s future stars, can be found across the country. For those who prefer the use of other limbs, handball offers a handy alternative. Invented in Denmark, they are naturally proud of their sport – and they rank highly internationally. A fastpaced and high-scoring game, it is perfect for international kids seeking a sport with a more Danish edge. Unfortunately, baseball fans will struggle in Denmark, where the sport has made only limited inroads. But softball is hugely popular. In the capital, Gladsaxe Softball Klub takes members as young as six, with regular training sessions throughout the year. One of the biggest clubs in the country, there is no better place to give it a try. Bridging divides A number of these sports are also catered to by GAME, an NGO founded in Denmark in 2002. Its mission is to drive societal change through youth-led sports and culture by training young individuals to volunteer as local sports leaders, and it currently supports underserved communities in Denmark as well
as Ghana, Greece and other countries. Activities supported by GAME include street basketball, street football, parkour, street dance, yoga and an urban music school – there is truly something for everyone. Since 2010, several GAME Houses have sprung up in previously disused buildings in a number of Danish cities. On offer is cheap access to facilities and training sessions, with membership costing a one-off payment of 50 kroner, which then allows access for just 10 kroner for those under 24. A taste of home Football and basketball are not the only offerings available to expats (and locals) looking for sports popular in other parts of the world. In fact, rugby is Denmark’s fastest growing youth sport, with regular tournaments taking place for both the union and touch varieties across the country in the summer months. For those looking to get involved, look no further than Gentofte Rugby Klub: Denmark’s largest club with over 100 members across more than 20 different nationalities. Training sessions are held for all age groups, starting with an under-6s team.
SPORTS & LEISURE FACEBOOK/SISU FACEBOOK/GRØNDALS CENTER
VISIT DENMARK FACEBOOK/GENTOFTE TENNIS
It is a great way for young ones to keep fit, learn a sport they are unlikely to find at school, and meet people from a huge range of different backgrounds. To find out more, contact founder and coach Barney Hampson (Hampson_1999@yahoo.co.uk). A perhaps more surprising sport taking off in Denmark is cricket. Copenhagen Cricket Club offers training for all ages, though those used to a more ‘player-friendly’ game may be surprised to hear that training continues through the winter months. A friendly atmosphere, the club prides itself on its ‘integration-orientated’ philosophy. Out of the cold For more winter-friendly activities, Denmark offers many opportunities, not least in badminton. As the undisputed kings of European badminton, the country certainly punches above its weight, and with Copenhagen Badminton Club offering sessions for those as young as three and older than 60 it is no surprise! Putting the racquet down, rock-climbing and gymnastics offer the kind of energy-sapping activities that will have many parents relieved – particularly in those months when short, cold days might have kids bounding around the home. Sports centres across the country provide facilities and training sessions, alongside a great deal of other indoor pursuits.
For a change of tone, Aalborg Martial Arts supports even the youngest of would-be fighters and promises exposure to a range of techniques in a fun and easy way. Any budding Mikkel Kesslers might like to check out SIK Fight in Nørrebro, which offers boxing sessions for both the young and old. Get outdoors On warmer days Denmark provides the perfect landscape for all sorts of activities. Cycling, of course, is the national pastime, with cycle paths and ‘super-highways’ crisscrossing the country for commuters and adventurers alike. For those with a heightened sense of adventure, mountain-biking is also popular in the country. Trails from northern Jutland to southern Zealand can be found on alltrails.com – just don’t forget your helmet. If you can’t decide on one activity, why not go for a range? Triathlon is a big deal in Denmark: it has a greater participation per capita than any other country! Ironman hosts events in the country, and brave youngsters can also get involved in the Ironkids events. In the capital / tri club denmark offers an inclusive option for people of any level of triathlon experience. It offers a buddy system that supports people throughout their journey. Unsurprisingly, with 8,750 km of coastline Denmark is big on many water-based
activities too. For those wanting to taste the Viking life, sailing clubs are dotted all along Denmark’s coastline as well as its many inland lakes. Kayaking and rowing are popular too, making the country a prime spot for any aqua adventures. For the more docile, anyone from the age of 14 can pick up a ‘fiskekort’ and settle down with a rod and a dream. Hitting the right note If sport isn’t the only thing on your mind, Denmark also offers plenty of musical options too. Music is a required part of the primary school curriculum, and the country boasts a host of world-famous musicians as well as the famous Roskilde Festival. SceneKunst run several musical theatre schools across Zealand and now also Odense. The organisation managed five summer camps over the summer alongside the opening of its new school. They cater for children aged four to 18 and place inclusivity centre stage: promising every child a speaking role. “We do shows at a high level, so we normally go out to a professional theatre,” enthuses founder Russell Collins. “And the whole arrangement is very professional with regards to the microphones, the costumes, the set. It is all produced professionally.” FAMILY GUIDE AUTUMN 2 02 0
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FUN DAYS OUT
FAMILY FUN BY THE BUCKET-LOAD
FACEBOOK/CAMP ADVENTURE
Camp Adventure
Whether it’s in the capital, or further afield in the sticks, there are plenty of locations catering to the pleasure of both adults and children alike
By Maria El Youssif While Denmark may be known for its happy population and delicious pastries, the country has much to offer to families looking for memorable experiences. The following is a line-up of a few of Denmark’s greatest experiences, be it athletic or theatrical, for families to enjoy and reminisce about in the future. From the capital Copenhagen to its home island Zealand, and further afield, there are an abundance of day trips for all the family to enjoy. IN THE CITY Copenhill An architecturally unique destination for an active family, Copenhill (Vindmøllevej 6C, Cph S) calls itself “Copenhagen’s epicentre of urban mountain sports” – and for good reason. Start your visit by taking the hiking route through an exciting green landscape that lends itself to activities, but remember to take in the view. At an altitude of 85 metres towering above the Øresund, you don’t need any further confirmation the height is above sea level. And
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then move on to the main event: a chance to ski and snowboard down the huge slope, which is divided into different levels to enable support for a wide range of abilities. The centre also includes the largest climbing wall in the world. At 85 metres tall and 10 metres wide, it’s a challenge: both to climb and to convince anyone to give it a go. Times at Copenhill should be booked online in advance on its website. A plan for all seasons Being the amusement park it is, Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3, Cph V) is hard to miss on any list of entertaining locations for family visits. Known for its beautiful scenery in the heart of Copenhagen, Tivoli has not only become a staple main attraction for tourists, but also a regular choice for local families in Denmark. With over 25 rides catering to both the fearless and fearful, nervous laughter is par for the course. Tivoli also has a concert hall where some of the largest names in classical music have performed, the Pantomime Theatre where shows are hosted daily, and the Tivoli Youth Guard, a marching band made up of children. As a seasonal theme park, it is open in limited phases each year: Winter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas. Entrance fees and tickets can be bought either onsite or online. Blue Planet Is your child still searching for Nemo? Well, they might just find him here at Blue Planet (Jacob
Fortlingsvej 1, Kastrup), northern Europe’s largest aquarium. Visit Copenhagen’s internationalclass attraction and experience a world cruise under the sea for children and adults, on which you can get up close and personal with thousands of fish and sea animals. In total there are 48 aquariums containing over 7 million litres of water. When it rains, enjoy the fact that on the Blue Planet you can be dry and have a fun day surrounded by water and sea animals. The sun meanwhile brings out the best in the aquarium. On clear days enjoy the sea view and look past the Øresund Bridge to Sweden. Or turn around and admire the aquarium’s unique and distinctive architecture, which has become an important landmark in Denmark, winning several prizes, including a RIBA EU Award and the World Architecture Festival’s Display Award. ZEALAND Denmark’s Eiffel Tower The newly-erected Camp Adventure (Skovtårnsvej 1, Rønnede) is ideal for all ages. A 3.2km trek along a wooden boardwalk takes you through an enchanted beech forest setting to and from the Forest Tower, where a large-scale spiralling walkway takes you to the top of an architectural wonder. Some 95 metres above sea level and overlooking the forest canopy, the views are stupendous. On the way in, it’s possible to book Junior into the extensive ten-course climbing park, where tricky obstacles and zip line exultation await
FUN DAYS OUT FACEBOOK/BLUE PLANET
FACEBOOK/COPENHILL
Copenhill in abundance. Expect to spend at least four hours if you do both. Cretaceously speaking There’s more to the Stevns Klint UNESCO World Heritage Centre than its picture perfect chalk cliffs and the 17 km coastline trek and bragging rights that come with its completion. The area was marked out by UNESCO in 2014 because in amongst its cliffs is perhaps one of the best exposed Cretaceous-Tertiary boundaries in the world – the closest we’ve got to documentary evidence of the meteor that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Unlike all the big meteors since that fateful day 65.5 millions years ago, this is an attraction you cannot miss! Bunkering down It’s funny to think that just 30 years ago there was barely 800 km of uninterrupted water between the southeastern coast of Denmark and the Soviet Union (modern day Lithuania). Thus, when Stevnsfortet was built on the Stevns Klint cliffs, the fort was very much located on the very frontline of defence during the Cold War. Today it is a museum complete with 1.7 km of secretive corridors carved out of the limestone of the cliffs, which were built to withstand the fallout of a nuclear war. Make sure you take the guided tour 18 metres below ground level to check out the underground bunkers. Fossil finding in Faxe Some 63 million years ago, the Faxe Limestone Quarry was completely covered by water, and today you can still find remnants of this period when you visit. At the Geomuseum of Faxe, you can borrow a hammer and chisel and go hunting for fossils hidden within the limestone. The geomuseum also offers guided fossil hunts. The limestone quarry is often used in
Blue Planet films and, because of the special lighting and the clear blue waters, the limestone quarry is also a popular destination for professional photoshoots. Fairy-tale fortress The beautiful castle in South Zealand built over 600 years ago offers a fairy-tale experience for all. Take the tour around Gavnø Castle, where among other things, you will find Scandinavia’s most colourful church room in the castle chapel. Not only can you visit the castle, but also the park, the church, the brewery and the Go Fly courses. Tale of the trail The Camøno, also known as ‘the kingdom’s friendliest hiking trail’, extends over 175 km across Møn, Bogø and Nyord. You pass through the area’s beautiful scenery, along breathtaking coastlines, through cosy little villages and past several breathtaking sights. This trail was created in 2016 and is well known by most hikers. This trail is suitable for families, friends and for skilled hikers. FURTHER AFIELD On safari in Lolland Open since 1969, Knuthenborg Safaripark (Knuthenborg Alle 1, Maribo) is the largest of its kind in northern Europe, spreading over an area of 660 hectares. Along with the large areas in which the animals stroll around freely, the site also has a large amusement park, informative exhibitions and activities. As well as the animals, dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts are also a focus. After perusing the sights, why not enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with a view of the savannah. And it’s also worth bearing in mind that you can book an
overnight stay in a tent on an elevated terrace two metres above ground-level, from where you can observe animals walking around below you, just like in real wildlife. Tickets, including family passes, can be bought online. The leisurely land of Lalandia Lalandia offers the ultimate family experience – a getaway filled with fun or relaxation, it’s all up to you. It’s perfect for day trips or longer stays in one of the centre’s handily located family cottages. The top attraction is probably ‘The Aquadome’, a massive waterpark filled with thrilling water slides, swimming pools, jacuzzis, and an area for the little ones. Winter World, meanwhile, offers an ice rink, ski slopes and a climbing wall, the Monky Tonky Land is a huge indoor playland, and there are also opportunities to go bowling, play mini-golf and enjoy other indoor activities. Lalandia has locations in Billund (Ellehammers Alle 3) and Rødby (Lalandia Centret 1). Play well? Nobody does it better! Built out of more than 20 million Lego bricks, Legoland in Billund (Nordmarksvej 9) is a top draw for the entire family. Children, and some adults too, will love the more than 50 thrilling rides that are divided into themed sections in the park, including the ‘Imagination Zone’ and ‘Ninjago World’. The ‘multicenter’ offers 4D cinema experiences, a Nintendo gaming zone, and many other attractions. Multiple shows and events are hosted regularly throughout the year for the little ones to enjoy. Tickets to Legoland, including accommodation, and daily and seasonal passes, can be bought online. For Lego-obsessed kids, this is a once-in-a-life chance to encounter a life-sized version of the buildings they are more used to making out of tiny bricks at home. FAMILY GUIDE AUTUMN 2 02 0
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