Copenhagen was named “The World’s Leading Cruise Ship Harbor” and “Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination” at the 2005 World Travel Awards. Denmark’s capital, also named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination” in 2004, topped lists of worthy nominees such as Barcelona, Genoa, Miami, New York, Stockholm and Southampton, England. The prestigious industry awards are determined by votes from travel agents worldwide. By the end of 2005, 380,000 passengers on 282 cruise ships will have called at Copenhagen including, for the first time, a P&O Cruises winter cruise that arrives in December.

The Danish Royal Family welcomed its newest member on October 15 when Crown Princess Mary gave birth to a son. The new prince is the first child of Crown Prince Frederik and second in line to the Danish throne. Although most people believe the little prince will be named Christian, following Danish royal tradition, his name will not be officially revealed until his Christening on January 21, 2006 at Christiansborg Palace Church in Copenhagen.

As Danish designers raise their international profile, Copenhagen’s fashion trade fairs have been drawing ever-bigger industry crowds. At the next CPH Vision fashion trade fair, February 9-12, the public also will have a “sneak peek” at upcoming fashion trends as Danish designers preview their fall-winter 2006 collections at shows in Copenhagen’s public squares, Metro and shopping malls. Labels to watch include Whiite and its hip kids’ line Mini A Ture, designed by sisters Kathrine and Frederikke Hviid (hvid is Danish for “white”) and Casch Copenhagen by Gro Abrahamsson, sold at Fred Segal and other US boutiques.

Every day in Denmark, between December 1 and December 24, children open a door on their advent calendars to discover a small treat hidden inside. Thanks to SAS, Scandinavian Airlines, grown-up travelers can enjoy daily “treats” before Christmas, too. Sign up for the SAS Christmas Calendar and receive 24 e-mail offers in 24 days for travel to Scandinavia. You never know what treats are in store!

Fresh from the 2005 openings of Henning Larsen’s Copenhagen Opera House and Zaha Hadid’s Ordrupgaard Museum extension, top architects are hard at work on new projects in Denmark. Henning Larsen’s Design Studio was recently selected to design a new home for Moesgård Museum of Cultural History near Aarhus. Moesgård is home to Denmark’s oldest “resident,” the perfectly preserved Iron Age body of the Grauballe Man. Construction will begin in 2007 and finish in 2009. Meanwhile in Copenhagen, Britain’s Sir Norman Foster has designed what might be his most unusual “residential” project to date – a brand new Elephant House, expected to open in 2007, at the Copenhagen Zoo.

Students at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus perform free concerts throughout the year at the academy, but they really let their spirit show at the more casual “Koncertcafeer” (concert cafés) at Musikcaféen. Styles range from classical to contemporary and include original works written and performed by Denmark’s most talented young musicians. Koncertcafeer take place 8-11 pm most Tuesdays and admission is always free. Koncertcafeer at Musikcaféen, Mejlgade 53, Aarhus.

Brassaï is best known for his atmospheric photographs of Paris in the 1930s, capturing the mystery of nightlife in the “City of Light.” From December 17 through March 19, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk brings a bit of that Parisian atmosphere to Denmark with “Brassaï: Photographer of the Night,” the first presentation of the artist’s work in Denmark.

The Øresund Fixed Link bridge makes travel between Denmark and Sweden a breeze by car, bus or train. While in Copenhagen, pop across the sound for a day in Sweden!

Can’t get enough of Christmas markets? Then you’re in for a treat in Skåne, where the markets are filled with beautiful Swedish handicrafts and holiday delicacies like cakes, cheeses and smoked eel. Here are some of the region’s top spots:

Gustav Adolf’s Square Market, Malmö, Nov. 26-Dec. 23
Market at Fredriksdals Outdoor Museum, Helsingborg, Dec. 2-4
Christmas Fair at Katrinetorps Farm, Malmö, Dec. 3-4
Christmas at Tjörnedalagården, Simrishamn, Dec. 11

Make Way for Lucia! Sweden’s most beloved holiday tradition is the celebration of Lucia, Queen of Light, on December 13. The day is marked by concerts and the procession of Lucia and her maidens wearing their crowns of candles to bring light into the darkness. See the horse-drawn procession as is winds through the streets of Malmö to Stortorget and the Governor’s Palace.

Heather Nissen
VisitDenmark
Tel: 212-885-9724
E-mail: hni@visitdenmark.com