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Denmark

From Canals to Castles: Copenhagen With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23714RJ
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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
1 hands-on experience
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.
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 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 motorcoach; riding approximately 105 miles, about 2 hours of riding time. Walking approximately 3 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1.5 hours throughout the day.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll start our full day in Odense, located on the island of Funen and the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the influential author of fairytales including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess and The Pea,” and “Thumbelina" with a walking tour through Odense. We'll then dive a little deeper with a visit to the H.C. Andersen Museum where we will have some time to explore the museum and navigate through the interactive exhibits. We'll then board the motorcoach and transfer to Egeskov Castle.
Lunch:
On own 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.
Dinner:
En route back to Copenahgen.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off canal boat and harbour bus; approximately a 1.5 hour ride. Walking about 3 mile throughout the day; standing for up to 1 hour throughout the day; paved city streets, cobblestones and steps, wooden boardwalks with handrails to board canal boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
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.
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'll board the harbour bus to complete our journey through the canals and harbour. We will disembark near the Royal Library where you can choose to return to the hotel with the Group Leader, or continue your exploration independently.
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 up to 2 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 2 hours throughout the day. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin today with a lecture at the hotel given by a local expert, during which we’ll learn about Viking history, culture and the lasting influence Vikings have had on Denmark and the Nordic region. Following the lecture, we’ll walk to a local baking workshop where we’ll learn how to make traditional Danish cinnamon buns. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy our freshly baked treats together during a hygge late morning, embracing the Danish concept of coziness, comfort and spending quality time together.
Lunch:
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.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant with local families.
Evening:
At leisure.
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 2.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1.5 hours; paved city streets and paths with some cobblestones.
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:
After lunch, we'll board a motorcoach and ride back to Copenhagen where you will have some free time before the evening activity.
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:
We’ll regroup after dinner 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 a motorcoach; 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 throughout the day; standing up for about 3 hours throughout the day; paved and gravel paths, grass, wooden boardwalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach 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 a local restaurant.
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. We will also have the opportunity to go visit the Viking Museum and Cathedral at our own pace.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking or taking the metro to palace. Walking approximately 4 miles thorughout the day; standing for up to 2 hours throughout the day; paved city streets, cobblestones, gravel paths, grass. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
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.
Lunch:
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.
Afternoon:
In the later afternoon, we'll regroup 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.
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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