(Just) Off the Beaten Path: Amager, Denmark

Not many European capital cities are blessed with island paradises just minutes from their centres. But the island of Amager, which is filled with both natural and cultural landmarks, is so close to Copenhagen that the island actually hosts the city’s airport, which means that you’ll find many Amager hotels. On Amager you’ll find beaches, nature reserves and remnants of the distant past. The communities range from the cutting edge modern architecture of Ørestad, which is growing all the time, to the humble domiciles of Dragør, the quaint fishing village where time seems to have stopped. Amager is also the gateway to Copenhagen’s three fort islands.

Kalvebod Fælled

The 5,000 acres of parkland contained in Kalvebod Fælled includes protected wetlands, beaches, forests and lakes. Located in southwest Amager, this is where you’ll find many deer and even more birds. In fact, nowhere else in Europe will you find so much wild nature so close to a major city. Autumn brings kite-flyers, who put on a spectacular show, and some of the most interesting parts of the park aren’t shown at all, as they are contained in an EU-recognized bird protection area to which the general public has no access. Much of what you see is actually man-made, as part of the park is located on a reclaimed sea bed. So many of the hills you see actually used to be islands. Other things to do include renting bicycles and horses, and this family-friendly park also has plenty of activities for the kids.

Amager Strandpark and Kastrup Fort

The largest beach in the Copenhagen area, the Amager Strandpark includes a large island made of sand and a lagoon. This beach is also man-made with recreation in mind, and as a result you’ll find the area full of recreational activities, including windsurfing, diving, water skiing, sea kayaking and of course beach volleyball. A popular winter activity is the bath on the New Helgoland pier, and summer’s number one pastime continues to be lying out on the sand. Adjacent to the Strandpark is Kastrup Fort, one of the many fortifications that were built around the city back in the old days. Now a beautiful park, you can still see the outline of the fort, the moat and a few remaining walls and buildings. Kastrup Fort is used more as a park than as a historical monument, but you can still see bullet holes left over from the WWII Nazi executions of Danish citizens in the fort’s catacombs. Whatever your reasons for visiting, you’ll appreciate the great views over the sound.

Dragør

With crooked cobblestone streets below and the red tiled roofs on the pretty old yellow buildings above, the tiny fishing village of Dragør looks not so different than it did 100 years ago. This traditional Danish village can easily be reached by bus from downtown Copenhagen or from the airport. There are also two museums in Dragør worth visiting. The first is the Amagermuseet. Set in two old farm houses, this cosy museum relates the history of the island, focusing on the Dutch who were invited to dam the island and then farm it, just the way they had done back in the Netherlands. Many historical interiors and textiles can also be seen. The second is the Dragør Museum, which reveals the maritime history of the village and features models of ships and many odd items that sailors brought from around the world. There’s also a collection of paintings by famous local artist C.W. Eckersberg (1783-1853) and you won’t want to miss one of the fishing vessels that was used during the famous evacuation to Sweden of Jews fleeing the German occupation.

Kastrupgårdsamlingen

This free museum provides a unique perspective on the how the better half lived back in centuries long gone while exposing you to a large variety of Danish artists. That’s because the Kastrupgårdsamlingen is set in a grand 17th century country home that strikes a contrast from the modern farm houses of the Amagermuseet in Dragør. You can choose between permanent and temporary exhibitions, and after sampling the large collection of graphics, including many works from the avant-garde COBRA movement, you can sample the cocoa, wine, cake and coffee at the Kastrupgårdsamlingen’s in-house café. And did I mention that the admission is free?

Saltholm

Amager is also the gateway to several other islands, including the incredibly flat Saltholm Island. Covering 16 square kilometres, Saltholm’s highest point is a dizzying two metres above sea level. Though this low position keeps it largely uninhabited by human beings, who tend not to like the constant flooding, the island is quite popular with the 1,000 heads of cattle that come every summer to graze. Not surprisingly, the main attraction of Saltholm is its wetlands, which host many species of birds, some of them extremely rare. The southern end of the island is also home to several seal colonies. Asking around about Saltholm, you’ll find that very few people visit, which is a shame. To get there, you’ll need to make arrangements to tag along on a private fishing vessel, which also serves as a ferry to the island and leaves from a small marina near the Kastrup metro station. Once there, you will find it hard to imagine that the centre of Copenhagen is just 16 kilometres away and the international airport is just over the water.

Top Yoga Studios in Europe

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP…

Ah yes, the less-than-comforting sound of an alarm clock. There you were, in a perfectly blissful state of slumber, and that awful blaring of competing tones disrupts your bliss and you are forced to leave that safe, warm place and go out into the harsh world.

But, what if you could take that warm, peaceful feeling with you to work or school?

Yoga allows that to happen. By syncing your body and mind through different poses and meditation, you become more focused. For me, yoga gives a greater sense of purpose for all of the day’s tasks, so I don’t become overwhelmed or stressed, but take things one step at a time. Doing this doesn’t make getting out of bed difficult, but almost exciting to make the most of your day.

Travel & Leisure posted an article of the top 25 yoga studios around the world. Here are a few located in Europe:

• Hamsa Yoga Studio: Copenhagen, Denmark – Offering Vinyasa yoga, this studio also offers advanced back-bending and Thai massage. English classes available on request.
• Triygoga: London, England – With locations in Primrose Hill, Covent Garden and Soho, this studio also offers acupuncture, naturopathy and massage.
• Airyoga Munich: Munich, Germany – About a four-minute walk from Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this studio offers massages, facials and pedicure in addition to all major yoga styles. English classes available upon request.
• Rasa: Paris, France – This studio focuses primarily on Vinyasa yoga, but still offers classes in Mysore, Ashtanga and Yin. English classes available upon request.
• Airyoga Zurich: Zurich, Switzerland – Here, a variety of 10 different yoga traditions are taught in a convenient location in Bellevue Plaza. Almost all classes are taught in English.

Of course, there are many yoga studios around the world you can attend. Just try out a few sessions and see if it’s a good fit. Hopefully it will leave you rejuvenated and refreshed. With plenty of hotels in and around Copenhagen, London, Munich, Paris and Zurich, be sure to check out affordable hotels at Eurobookings.com.

If all else fails, perhaps a more soothing alarm clock could also do the trick. But trust me on the yoga thing.