Copenhagen swept us off our feet. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a dream — clean streets, colorful canals, impossibly polite people, and a mid-century modern hotel that looked like it had been styled by Wes Anderson on a caffeine high.

This was the third stop in our Global Journey with Tomorrowland, and the vibes stayed strong. We checked into 25hours Hotel Copenhagen, located right in the heart of the city. The space was a sensory treat — bold colors, eclectic art, and retro furniture that made us want to lounge all day (if the city outside weren’t so tempting). But the food? That was the real showstopper. We dove into dishes that reminded us why we love travel: warm hummus, tender chicken skewers, Israeli salad that danced with acidity, crispy spring rolls, and fresh-baked bread with rich, aromatic sauces. Every bite hit.

Our Global Journey host welcomed us with the same warmth we’d experienced in previous cities. The curated experiences in Copenhagen were some of the best yet. We kicked things off with a walking tour through the city’s highlights — and what a stunning city it is. Impeccably clean, filled with bikes instead of honking horns, and full of architectural charm that balances old-world royalty with modern Danish cool.

We witnessed the changing of the guards at Amalienborg Palace, an experience both regal and oddly calming. Next up: Nyhavn, the postcard-perfect canal lined with brightly painted buildings and bobbing boats. No photo can quite do it justice (though yes, we tried). But perhaps the most unexpected stop was Christiania, Copenhagen’s semi-autonomous free town filled with murals, music, and a vibe that can only be described as “creative rebellion.” On our stroll back to the hotel, we passed a bustling street cart and couldn’t resist trying the famed Belgian hotdog. It was everything — ketchup, mustard, crispy onions, fresh onions, tangy pickles — wrapped in a warm bun of pure comfort. Street food perfection.

The day ended with a private Tomorrowland rave—because of course it did. Picture this: a great DJ spinning infectious beats, bottomless beer and wine, delicious apps circulating the room, and a drag queen keeping the party alive with sequins and sass. We wrapped up the night with some of our new friends at Tivoli Gardens, a magical amusement park that somehow blends whimsy and elegance. We screamed our way through the second-oldest roller coaster in the world, then wandered through the glowing park under twinkling lights. Tivoli at night felt like being in a fairytale written for grown-ups.

The next morning, we slowed things down with a quiet breakfast at a charming café — the kind of place where you can sip your latte while doing your laundry, because why not multitask with style?

But the true climax of our time in Copenhagen came that night, with our reservation at Alchemist — a dining experience so immersive and mind-bending that calling it a “restaurant” feels like underselling it. From the mysterious entryway to the ethereal main dining dome, every detail was designed to surprise and delight. Over the course of several hours, we were treated to 50 “impressions”, each dish more inventive than the last. Standouts included:

• The “Tongue Kiss” — a tiny beef tartare sculpture served on a replica of a human tongue (yes, really).
• “Smoke from the Amazon” — a dish served with fog and earthy aromas designed to evoke a rainforest on fire, calling attention to environmental issues.
• “Brain” — a dessert shaped like a human brain filled with raspberry and beet, intended to spark a conversation about mental health.

We didn’t take any food photos — deliberately. It was a rare and beautiful night where we tucked our phones away, looked each other in the eyes, and savored every strange and stunning bite in real time. (We did snap some shots of the space — the entry, the lounge, the mesmerizing dining room, and the after-dinner “paint room,” where guests are invited to leave their mark.) Can you find my mark?

As we packed our bags, both of us agreed: Copenhagen is our favorite destination so far, with Barcelona a close second. The city is polished without being pretentious, quirky without trying too hard, and full of thoughtful contrasts — art and architecture, rebellion and refinement, fairytales and food tours. We’ll be back. Probably more than once.

Stay tuned for our next stop, Brussels. Until then, enjoy the photos and remember: never underestimate a city that can serve both a Michelin-starred “tongue kiss” and a street dog with pickles that makes you weep with joy.

-BOTR