Denmark welcomes the world to its charming capital for the 2009 World Outgames (July 25-August 2) – here Robert La Bua gives a preview of the city’s best to help you plan your trip.

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Scandinavians have the reputation of being aloof, as cold as their winter, but a trip to Copenhagen quickly proves the stereotype is not true. Wry humour is prevalent in almost every conversation, and under all the winter clothing, there are people only too happy to have some fun. And come summer, Scandinavians are only too eager to shed those clothes and enjoy the outdoors. The Danes have their own reputation – this one delightfully true – as the Latins of Scandinavia, and Copenhagen is one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. Where else can you find an amusement park right in the middle of a city with a world-famous beer factory and an Australian crown princess?

For GLBT travelers 2009 provides the perfect excuse to escape to Denmark, as the mega-sports festival known as the World Outgames brings culture, sport and thousands of gayspian visitors to the Danish capital from July 25-August 2. Outgames is a major undertaking planned to showcase Copenhagen not only as a world city capable of hosting a huge event, but also as a bastion of human rights and equality in a world where such qualities are not universal. Copenhagen is among the most gay-friendly cities in the world, so don’t miss out on the chance to experience it at its best.

Central to Copenhagen life both literally and figuratively is Strøget, the pedestrian shopping street running from the City Hall to the Opera House on Kongens Nytorv, with lots of nice stops and shops along the way. Don’t let funny Danish letters distract you from enjoying the ambience, which is lively any time of year; on Strøget, it’s all about catching up with friends and having a good time amidst the backdrop of the city’s finest retail. Here you will see prime examples of world-famous Danish design, from Georg Jensen silver to Illums homewares to Bang and Olufsen electronics. If you accidentally step into Conditori La Glace, an opulent bakery unlike anything seen in Fremantle, make sure to enjoy one (or a box) of its marzipan cakes – orgasmic concoctions of marzipan, fresh cream, and cacao – let your tastebuds be indulged to the point of ecstasy.

By night, nowhere beats Tivoli, one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe. Tivoli hosts rock concerts, offers rides, feeds you in real restaurants rather than the fast-food joints of amusement parks elsewhere. Theme days are a regular occurrence, including popular gay days. For music lovers, the live scene is very happening in Copenhagen, and local venues host a variety of musical styles offering everything from African reggae to jazz (Copenhagen is one of the jazz capitals of the world. Who knew?). From Tivoli to the music clubs, all-night merrymaking is standard twelve months a year.

Copenhagen also boasts two excellent and unique museums – the sumptuous Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a central, glass-domed semitropical garden surrounded by wonderful collections of art and artifacts, and Thorvaldsens Museum, a beautiful building constructed specially by the Danish government to house the works of sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. Thorvaldsen’s works are the epitome of Classical beauty, and the museum’s main sculptures are displayed individually, each in its own room with décor specific to the sculpture on display. Look up! The ceilings are exquisitely decorated works of art as well. North of the city is the Karen Blixen Museum, former home of the fascinating Dane, portrayed by Meryl Streep in Out Of Africa. For a less sober taste of Copenhagen, take a tour of the famous Carlsberg Brewery in Hellestrup, north of Copenhagen. Free samples, of course, are offered to visitors.

You can nurse your hangover in the wonderfully friendly Avenue Hotel, located in the Frederiksberg neighbourhood and a short walk from Town Hall Square, the centre of Copenhagen. Perhaps it is the female touch that makes this place so welcoming for visitors, a real home away from home. The chillout lobby is a great place to kick back, the rooms comfy and quiet. General Manager Mai Kappenberger is as charming as she is astute, unfailingly pleasant and helpful 24 hours a day.

For a sidetrip, why not go to another country for the day? Malmö, only a short train ride across the Øresund from Copenhagen on the engineering marvel known as the Øresund Link, is Sweden’s third-largest city. Malmö has a handful of appealing attractions ranging from castles to cutting-edge art galleries, as well as the indoor swimming complex known as Aq-va-kul where clothes come off once again.

There is abundant information online about Outgames, Copenhagen, and LGBTI venues, groups, and activities in Denmark. Scandinavian Airlines is well aware of the importance of gay and lesbian travellers to Scandinavia and maintains a dedicated gay page on its website to help us plan our travels. Whether to Copenhagen and back, or around the world with SAS (via New York or San Francisco, for example), the airline’s friendly service is an apt introduction to a land where adjectives like gay, lesbian and trans* are merely incidental.

More Information:

• www.copenhagen2009.org – (Official World Outgames Site)
• www.visitscandinavia.com.au
• www.visitcopenhagen.com/gay
• www.flysas.com/gay
• www.pinkviking.net
• www.ziraf.dk – Women’s guide to Copenhagen
• www.lbl.dk – click on English to the right
• www.avenuehotel.dk

Photos by John Douglas, JohnDouglasArt.com