Colourful old buildings – mostly Nyhavn (New Harbour) where you can easily imagine a bustling scene of sailors, taverns and “women of ill repute” a couple of hundred years ago…

Some impressive modern architecture – glass, wood panelling and angles…

Pretty girls on pretty bikes – it’s noticeable as you wander around that Copenhagen is a city with an above average concentration of beautiful people…

Allegedly, the private yacht of the guy that invented Microsoft Excel (according to my boat tour guide)…

Hans Christian Andersen – every other statue…

A televised mermaid – live from the Danish Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai…

Browsing the beautiful Scandinavian design in the furniture and homewares departments of Illum, I came across this quote…

Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.

…which seems, from my short time in Copenhagen, to give some insight into the Danish (or maybe just Copenhagen) philosophy. I saw it reflected in their design, their architecture, their clothes and their general approach to work and life.

An interesting place to spend a relaxed weekend pounding the streets but for a city break I think I’d take Paris or Prague if I was paying myself. Some of the prices were painful. I don’t think I saw any beer at less than £5 a pint.

I defy anyone to watch this without smiling…