April 2013
Join flag-waving crowds on 16 April when Queen Margrethe II celebrates her 73rd birthday by appearing on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace at noon accompanied by music from The Royal Guard. Or visit The Amalienborg Museum, located inside the palace, to discover more Danish royal history.

January 2013
We the People is the latest project by Danh Vo, a conceptual artist who grew up in Copenhagen. He has created a full-size replica of the Statue of Liberty, before scattering the pieces in galleries around the world. One hundred of some 400 parts are currently on show at the National Gallery of Denmark (48-50 Sølvgade), where the permanent collection, containing many Danish works, is also worth a look.

January 2013
For a brisk walk and wonderful views across Copenhagen harbour head to Kastellet, the 17th century fort on the Northern edge of the city, and walk around the pentegram shaped ramparts. Then follow the waterside road, Langelinie, to The Little Mermaid, before returning past the Gefion Fountain and Saint Alban's Anglican Church to Churchill Park. Finally warm up with a drink at the cosy cafe Kafferiet (44 Esplanaden).

October 2012
Spend a few hours exploring the free city of Christiania (www.christiania.org), a self-governed community ever since the first inhabitants took over these abandoned military barracks and city ramparts in 1971. With its beautiful lakes, self-built homes, workshops, galleries and cheap, organic cafés, it offers something quite unique.

January 2013
A 90-minute intercity train ride from Copenhagen main station delivers you to Odense (www.visitodense.com), the home city of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark's most famous author. As well as visiting the Hans Christian Museum, housed in his childhood home, you can wonder around pretty cobbled streets past churches, historic townhouses, parks and monuments, visit Funen Art Museum, the Photographic Museum and The Tinderbox - a cultural centre for children - and indulge in some serious eating and drinking.

October 2012
ARKEN Museum of Modern Art (www.arken.dk) boasts a brilliant collection of Danish, Nordic and international contemporary art and is set in a stunning modern structure designed by Søren Robert Lund to look out across Køge Bay. Just 25 minutes south of Copenhagen by train, it's worth spending a day exploring the galleries, eating a leisurely lunch at the café and strolling along the local beach.