__________________________________________________________________________ Information package Frontrunners Where in Denmark is Castberggård located? The address: 1 __________________________________________________________________________ Castberggård Østerskovvej 1, Urlev DK-8722 Hedensted Denmark Fax: +45 7568 7799 http://maps.google.dk/ (write the name of Castberggård) 2 __________________________________________________________________________ Denmark guide - Denmark and the Danes The Kingdom The Kingdom of Denmark is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, Queen Margrethe II. The country has a strong social welfare system, built up during the 20th century. It is a member of the European community but its citizens have often challenged the right of the EU to dictate policies. Peaceful development and socially balanced changes are important elements in its national life. Many Danes have a strong affection for their queen, even though they may vote for socialist or left-wing parties at election time. Queen Margrethe II commands the respect of her people both through grace and personal charm as well as intellectual and artistic gifts. Geography Denmark is a small country consisting of a large peninsula, Jutland (“Jylland”), which shares a land border with Germany, and approx. 400 islands. The largest are Sealand (“Sjælland”) and Funen (“Fyn”). Denmark is quite small. It would take more than Denmarkx200 to fill the United States. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen, situated on the eastern coast of Sjælland. Denmark is not a high country; the highest point is a mere 179m above sea level. The People There are about 5.6 million people living in Denmark. The vast majority enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Danes are also rated among the happiest and most content people in the world. In repeated international surveys, Danes have been regularly rated happier with their lives and with their jobs than any other nationalities. The Language Danes speak a strange language, a mixture of Old Norse and German. To a foreign tongue, it is frightfully hard to pronounce many Danish words and visitors are often 3 __________________________________________________________________________ bemused by the incongruities of spelling and the quaintness of the Danish grammar. Fortunately, most Danes speak excellent English and many also speak German and a host of other European languages. Swedish and Norwegian are closely related to Danish. The Humour Enjoying the Danish sense of humour is a fit and proper compensation for having to put up with the Danish weather. The Danish capacity for laughter is inversely proportional to the amount of rain falling on the kingdom in any given year. Fortunately, Danish summers are benefiting from the effects of global warming and many sunny days are expected in the coming years. Danish Design Danish design is rightly famous throughout the world. Danish designers and architechts have created some of the most recognisable design icons in the world - from the Lego brick to The Sydney Opera House. Many households in Denmark have a famous PH lamp over their diningroom table, world renowned Danish Design furniture in the living room or a stylish Bang and Olufsen television or stereo set. The Trade Danes were once Vikings and the Vikings were great traders. Denmark is a major exporting nation, sending farm products, clothes, quality precision instruments, and pharmaceuticals to all corners of the world. The Sports Denmark is a football nation although not of the top rank. It is therefore with pride that Danes recall their triumph over Germany in the European Championships back in the early 1990s. You will also find Danes cheering on handball, basketball and ice hockey along with the ancient sport of curling. The clapping hat (“klaphat”) is a mysterious Danish invention designed to allow Danes to hold a beer in one hand and still applaud the action on the field. (Please note that the word is also used to describe a person of a less than average intellectual capacity.) The Food Danish cuisine is increasingly international, a trend for which Danes are increasingly grateful. The traditional national dish is frikadeller - a kind of meatball. Visitors should, however, try a few variations of the famous 4 __________________________________________________________________________ Danish Open Sandwich or “smørrebrød” Danes are also fond of pickled herrings, liver paste and salty liquorice. Visitors are warned to beware of the Danish pastries and the Danish pølser (sausages). The pastries are delicious and therefore expand the waistline rapidly. Pølser, sold from small, mobile vans in strategic locations such as railway stations, are tasty and can lead to excessive consumption. The Beer Visitors who like beer will like Denmark. The country offers you a wide variety of brews from various locations. The two famous and largest brands, Carlsberg and Tuborg, are sold in most bars, but during the last decade, a wide range of local and microbreweries have found their way into the market as well. The Logistics Everything works in Denmark. The trains are swift, punctual and clean. (Within the last couple of years this hasn’t been the case - and this really upsets the Danes) It is perfectly safe to drink the water from the tap. Nothing in Denmark is far away, and visitors are often struck by how easy it is to get around. Knowledge about Denmark If you want to know a little more about Denmark, visit: www.lonelyplanet.com www.aok.dk (information about Copenhagen) www.visitdenmark.dk Weather When you arrive September, the weather will be fair. Summer will be ending at that time, and we will hopefully have an Indian summer before autumn. It will get colder quite quickly. The weather in October and November brings rain, wind and a decreasing temperature. Some days will be sunny and warm, and others cold and rainy. 5 __________________________________________________________________________ The sun will rise later and set early –in November/December the sun will go up at about 8.30/9.00 am and set at 4 pm. Some Danish people hate October and November because of the weather. Others love the changes of the colours and think it is very beautiful. In December it will change into real winter. You might be lucky to get some snow before you all finish at the 14th of December. If not, then you can expect rain, rain and rain with a bit of drizzle thrown in on the side (which is typically for the Danish weather). You will have new experiences during the spring; from -30 Celsius to 200 Celsius with a lot of green and yellow. Remember clothes & shoes for all kinds of weather! Sometimes you still can have a bath in the sea in the beginning of September. (Some Danes still pretend to be Vikings!) Rain clothes will be necessary but are cheap to buy in Denmark. Gloves, cap/hat and warm jacket will be necessary during the winter months. Indoor temperature: the temperature indoor usually is about 200 Celsius. The humidity indoors is usually 50% if you remember to open your window once in a while and let some fresh air in. If you do not do that, the humidity will increase to about 80% (not healthy). Remember therefore to open your window once or twice a day. Check the website www.dmi.dk for more info about the Danish weather. Transport When you arrive in Denmark, you will probably enter the country via the airport in Billund or Copenhagen. The airport at Billund is situated a mere 50 km to the west of Castberggaard. If you arrive at Copenhagen, the easiest way to get here is to get on a train to Vejle. Denmark has a good, reliable train system with reasonable fares and a frequent service. Please buy the wildcard (only for 18-25 years) if you want often to travel with trains. You get a 50 percent discount every day except Fridays and Sundays! More information about railway transport: www.dsb.dk If you arrive at Billund, please get on a bus to Vejle. Most places are serviced by regional buses, many of which are timed to connect with trains. www.rejseplanen.dk 6 __________________________________________________________________________ When & What to eat at Castberggaard? • 7.30 – 8.15: Breakfast Bread, butter, cheese, cereals, yoghurt, coffee/tea, juice • 10.00 – 10.30: Coffee break Coffee break with fruit • 12.00 – 13.00: Lunch Typically two courses: Starter or Warm meal: meat, potatoes, rice or pasta – salad or Dessert (sweets) • 14.30 – 15.00: Coffee/Tea break Coffee/tea and bread or cake • 17.30 – 18.30: Dinner: Dark and light bread with selection of various sliced cold meat (called “pålæg”) and also a selection of cheese. Milk or water will be served. • 20.30 Evening coffee/Tea Coffee/Tea and cake If you have special requirements/needs (vegetarian, diabetic, no pork etc.) please inform us. If you want to eat at other times than written above there will be a refrigerator for your use. We also have a small kitchen with cooker and coffee machine. Facilities in Castberggaard Media, TV and internet At Castberggård we only have Danish TV programmes and Danish newspapers. But the Internet is at your hands via fiber connection at all times... Wireless network /video camera / webcam We have wireless (WIFI) network at Castberggård. If you have a laptop, feel free to take it with you. Please bring your webcam for chatting with your friends and family during your stay at Castberggård. It may be a very good idea if you bring a photo/video camera and an electrical adapter. The power source in Denmark is 220 volts. Sport/Outdoor outfit Please remember your sporting outfit (both indoors and outdoors). We have very good sporting facilities and an indoor fitness centre. On some evenings can you swim in the swimming centre nearby. Please bring swimwear and beach towels.