Copenhagen; Saturday, 12 March, 2005

After a leisurly breakfast we set out to wander around the city centre stopping first at the Rådhuspladsen (townhall square) and then moving on down the main padestrianised street into the cenyre of the old town.

We stopped at the Rundtårn (round tower) which is a bizarre tower in which a spiral ramp takes you up the inside of the building. About halfway up was an exhibition of modern art. Towards the top the ramp ends and its onto spiral stairs for the final ascent to the viewing platform at the top which offers excellent views over the centre of the old town.

From the Rundtårn we walked the short distance onto the metro station and caught the metro out to Christianshavn.

Towards the centre of Christianshavn is the Vor Frelsers Kirke. The church is stunning inside and outside. Its defining feature is its tower (sadly closed when we visited) The stairs to the top start off inside the tower, but the last 150 or so wind around the outside of the spire!

After looking around the church we wandered over to the "free state" of Christiana. Created in 1971 when a group of young and homeless people started squatting in a dissused millitary barracks complex, the area is internationaly known as an area which has developed an more egalitarian and environmently friendly attitude than anywhere else.

After spending some time walking round Christiana we walked back to the metro station and made our way over to one of Copenhagens other well known sites - the Carlsberg factory.

The visitors centre was partly closed for refurbishment, but the important part of the tour, the free tasting, was still open.

A little later on (and slightly the worse for wear after trying several different types of brew) we walked back to the train station.

As it was a little early to have dinner, and starting to get a little cold, we decided to waste a bit of time having a play on the Copennhagen metro which has only recently opened and is completely computer controlled so that you can sit right at the very front of the train.

Once we had wasted a little time we headed back into the centre of town in search of food.