2026-W14: A trip to a Viking Country
Preparing to Leave
This week started with a familiar kind of restlessness. We were preparing for a trip to Denmark, and even though work was quite full leading up to Wednesday, my mind was already halfway out the door.
Packing is usually where I get stuck. I tend to overthink it, especially with clothes. It always feels like trying to predict too many versions of the future at once. What if it's colder than expected? What if the weather changes suddenly? Even after checking the forecast, there's always that uncertainty.
But this time felt different. I packed the night before, kept things simple, and by morning everything was ready. No last-minute scrambling, no forgotten items like the last trip. Just a quiet sense of relief as we left early for the airport.
Arrival in Copenhagen
We landed early in Copenhagen. The airport was straightforward, though the walk from the gate to the exit felt unusually long. Strangely, Berlin airport had already prepared us for that kind of walk, so it didn't feel as exhausting as it could have.
There's always something grounding about arriving in a new country. A quiet excitement that carries you through the small inconveniences. Getting into the city was easy, just a train from the airport like in many European cities.
Our hotel had a nice view over the city, which made settling in feel even better. But it didn't feel like a full vacation yet. We still had work on Wednesday and Thursday, so most of those days were spent indoors.
Still, something shifted. I noticed I was more willing to step out, even after work. One night, I suggested we go out, and we did. Walking through the city at night felt important, like seeing a different layer of the same place. The contrast between day and night makes a city feel more complete.
We passed through Nyhavn, which was lively and beautiful at night. I'm not entirely sure why it's so popular, but it's easy to see why people are drawn to it.
That night was also when I realized the metro system was driverless. I hadn't noticed it earlier. Watching the train move through the tunnels from the front was unexpectedly fascinating.
Small Surprises and Adjustments
One thing we didn't plan for was the Thursday before Good Friday. It turns out it's a public holiday in Denmark, and many places were closed. We hadn't accounted for that, but it didn't slow us down too much. We still found ways to explore, especially in the evenings.
The bigger adjustment came with planning a visit to a friend. We had delayed buying tickets, assuming we would sort it out later. By the time we checked again, prices had gone up.
After going back and forth on options, we chose a FlixBus. It was more expensive than we initially expected, but it gave us a direct route without the stress of multiple train connections. That trade-off felt worth it. Fewer moving parts, less uncertainty.
Aarhus and the Art Museum
Aarhus was calm and welcoming. We didn't have time to see everything, but we visited the ARoS art museum, which turned out to be one of the highlights.
It wasn't what I expected. Instead of just paintings and sculptures, there were immersive spaces. One room filled with mirrors created an almost infinite reflection. Another space recreated a kind of Tokyo setting in the basement.
At the top of the building was the most memorable part: a circular walkway made of colored glass panels. Each section had a different tone, and as you walked through, the city changed color around you. It was beautiful, though staying too long felt slightly overwhelming for the eyes.
We also spent time with our friend, visited their school, and just took in the rhythm of the city.
A Full Day in Copenhagen
Back in Copenhagen, we finally had a full day without work. We spent it walking.
I've come to appreciate using public transport when exploring a city, but also just walking without a strict plan. It gives a more honest sense of how a place works. Copenhagen felt very walkable, with bike lanes everywhere and a steady, calm pace.
We visited places like Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid. The statue left me with questions. It's widely known, but seeing it in person, it felt surprisingly simple. I kept wondering what exactly gives it that level of attention.
Somewhere along the way, I found a Viking pin that stood out. It was more expensive than the usual souvenirs, but it carried a certain weight. Symbols, dates, references to Viking history. It felt meaningful in a quiet way.
Crossing into Malmö
On our last day, we took a short trip to Malmö in Sweden. Just about 30 minutes by train, crossing the Øresund Bridge.
The journey itself was smooth and almost too quick. Malmö was lively, probably because of the Easter period. There were more people than I expected, and the atmosphere felt festive.
We didn't stay too long, but it was enough to get a sense of the place. Another city, another rhythm, just across the water.
Returning to Berlin
From Malmö, we went back to the hotel, picked up our bags, and headed to the airport. The return to Berlin was calm.
Monday was for rest, and then back to work again.
It was a good week. Not just because of the places we saw, but because things felt a bit easier. Packing, moving, deciding. Less overthinking, more doing.
I don't know where the next trip will be yet, but I'm already looking forward to it.
Till next time,
Bosun