Helsinki and Lyon Awarded Titles of 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism

HELSINKI and Lyon the winners of the first edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition were awarded their titles yesterday, November 7 at a ceremony in Brussels, on the occasion of the European Tourism Day.Cities of more than 100.000 inhabitants were eligible in the first edition of this competition, 38 cities from 19 EU Member States applied.In addition, four cities received 2019 European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the four categories of the competition: Málaga (Accessibility), Ljubljana (Sustainability), Copenhagen (Digitalisation) and Linz (Cultural Heritage & Creativity).

The European Capital of Smart Tourism is a new EU initiative, based on a proposal from the European Parliament, which secured its funding for 2018 - 2019 through a Preparatory Action. The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in EU cities and their surroundings, increase their attractiveness as well as strengthen economic growth and job creation.

To celebrate their success, Helsinki and Lyon have planned an exciting schedule of activities for 2019. For example, Helsinki will be launching a smart city guidance pilot scheme, making use of collaborative work with businesses and digital tools to create a smarter way to guide people in the city. Lyon's representatives will be travelling the globe for shows, press meetings and special events to inform new audiences about the city's smart opportunities.

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Cornwall to Copenhagen

SCANDINAVIA'S leading airline, SAS, has today announced that it will introduce operations from Cornwall Airport Newquay in 2019.

The airline’s inaugural route from the Airport will link Cornwall directly with Copenhagen, with flights operating Mondays and Fridays over the peak summer season (commencing 28 June 2019).

The new service not only opens a direct link between Cornwall and #Denmark, but also allows for passengers to connect onto a network of over 70 onward destinations in Europe, Asia and North America via a seamless transfer in #Copenhagen, including other popular European cities such as Oslo and Stockholm.



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Rest your head in Denmark

ALREADY world-renowned as a centre for Scandinavian design and architecture, #Copenhagen is in the middle of a hotel boom. By 2020, the Danish capital will have some 22,500 hotel rooms, compared with the 15,000 rooms it had in 2010. 

Proving that #Denmark continues to be one of Europe’s hottest destinations, the latest hotel openings not only showcase the best Denmark has to offer, but provide a unique chance to stay in some incredible surroundings – from beautifully restored historic buildings to the former coal crane in the Copenhagen’s Nordhavn harbour that has been transformed into the most innovative and luxurious private retreat.

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Jazz it up in Copenhagen

IN 2018, Copenhagen’s iconic Jazz Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary. Taking place from July 6–15, Copenhagen Jazz Festival brings together more than 120 venues and around 1,400 concerts, making it one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. The festival presents the best of the contemporary international jazz scene, including the most vibrant Danish acts, and aims to stretch the boundaries of jazz by encouraging new artistic initiatives.

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Ski green in Copenhagen

COPENHILL the artificial ski slope and recreational hiking area that is set to open in the autumn of 2018 – will be built on top of Copenhagen’s new green waste management centre. 

The building will stand some 85 metres high, and on the roof of the café at the top of the ski slope there will be a viewing platform with incredible views of the Danish capital. 

Ski equipment will be available to hire, and there will be a green adventure and play landscape on the roof where visitors can wander and explore.

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Head to Copenhagen for a romantic break

COPENHAGEN'S famous Tivoli Gardens is renowned the world over for its beautiful illuminations, rides and unique architecture. To celebrate its 175 anniversary next year the Tivoli Gardens will be open from 2–25 February for the first time. 

Perfect for a Valentine’s break couples can take to the ice on its skating rink, cosy up in its range of restaurants before sitting back at the Tivoli Concert Hall with tickets to see Chess – The Musical. Meanwhile, opened in late 2017, Tivoli Corner is a new development for the northwest corner of Tivoli Gardens, designed to connect the iconic amusement park with Copenhagen’s city centre. This new building will house shops, restaurants, a food hall and hotel rooms for the Nimb hotel, reconnecting Tivoli and the rest of the city.

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Destination Denmark: Food & Drink Delights

THE lure of world-class #gastronomy, liveable cities, cutting-edge design and architecture and gripping crime fiction sees UK visitor numbers continuing to climb for overnight stays in #Denmark.  Here is just a taster of what is on offer to tantalise your tastebuds . . .

EUROPEAN Region of Gastronomy for 2017, Aarhus and the surrounding region of Central Denmark is a mecca for foodies. With outstanding fresh produce and new restaurants, bars and food markets adding to its culinary prowess, the region continues to gather international acclaim for its Michelin star restaurants and annual Aarhus Food Festival, which has grown to become the largest in the Nordics. As part of ‘Rethinking Good Food’ in 2017, chefs, producers and world leaders in sustainable thinking will come together to host a programme of events that not only pays tribute to gourmet food and local ingredients but addresses the need to rethink a more sustainable food culture. One of the highlights of the programme will be The People’s Feast, a communal dinner where 500 people will be able to sample different menus from all over the world, including a menu of the future born out of much scientific, culinary and forward-thinking discussion.

RANKED as the world’s best restaurant 4 times in the last 6 years, Chef René Redzepi’s Copenhagen restaurant Noma will leave its current location in Christianshavn and reopen in 2017 on the border of the special Danish community, Christiania, with a new mission and a new menu. Excelling in locally sourced and foraged Scandinavian cuisine and with two Michelin stars to his name, Redzepi plans to take a revolutionary approach to the new graffiti covered derelict space by transforming it into a thriving urban farm and restaurant, with a green house on the roof and fresh soil covered grounds. Focusing on a seasonal menu, the aim is for the majority of ingredients to come from noma’s own farm. 

WITH Carlsberg turning 170 in 2017, it only seems fitting that #Copenhagen has introduced a beer walk that takes thirsty visitors around the trendy areas of Vesterbro and Nørrebro in search of a refreshing ale. Exploring some of the city’s tucked away watering holes, the Copenhagen Beer Walk offers a choice of 12 bars to be taken at leisure. Costing 199 DKK (approx. £24), the package includes a tasting glass, a map and six beer tokens.

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A Danish Way of Life

DENMARK'S stunning capital city, #Copenhagen, embodies the effortless style and warm hospitality that has made the world fall in love with the Danish way of life. With a vibrant food scene, outstanding fresh ingredients and new restaurants, bars and food markets adding to the city’s incredible array of gastronomic delights, Copenhagen is a firm favourite for fans of the Nordic food scene.

RyanAir has expanded its range of flights from Stansted to Copenhagen, with a new three-per-day year-round service now operating offering one-way fares from just £9.99. In addition, RyanAir is introducing a four-times-weekly service from Liverpool to Copenhagen, with the first flight scheduled from the end of October 2017.

With more choice of departures, budget-friendly fares and a new route to Denmark from across the UK, there has never been a better time to visit Copenhagen on a budget.

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New flights from Edinburgh to Scandinavia

SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES (SAS) has announced plans to launch a new service between Edinburgh and Copenhagen in March 2015. 

Services to Oslo and Stockholm will also return to Edinburgh in March, strengthening the connection between Edinburgh and three Scandinavian capitals.

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Picture Credit: 'Scandinavian Airlines A340-300' by Kentaro Iemoto from Tokyo, Japan via Wikimedia Commons