Not too long ago, most of my Minneapolis friends, Christopher and I were at Dangerous Man Brewing Co. (someone drink a chocolate milk stout for me!) and the topic of how expensive Sweden is came up. Some of my friends were shocked when Christopher said it was $30 to get a burger in a restaurant. I can assure you, he was not joking. Sweden is expensive!! Although, you’re all getting seriously ripped off on your cell phone plans.

On the weekends, we’re always looking for fun stuff to do that won’t break the bank. Last week, I did some research and found out that Helsingborgs Bryggeri (Helsingborg’s Brewery) was celebrating their 3rd anniversary with an open house! Success!! Something fun and free! I thought I was pretty sweet with my google skills, until I walked into the kitchen and realized there was a full page ad for the open house on the front cover of a weekly newspaper we get. Oh well, the ad was in Swedish so I needed my google search anyway.

We started the day in Denmark for one of Christopher’s friend’s birthday. It was so nice to meet some of Christopher’s friends and walk around Helsingør in the sunshine (we had several rainy days before the weekend). We couldn’t resist getting Danish sausages on the ferry ride back. I can’t describe how amazing they are other than I could eat them everyday.

Danish sausages

Next we went to the brewery! I was pretty pumped to check out where Helsingborg’s award winning beer is brewed. Plus, it kind of reminded me of being in Minneapolis. Some of you may be surprised to know that before I moved to Minneapolis I would have probably answered the question ‘What’s your favorite beer?’ with “Uhhhh, Bud Light I guess?’ I know, I’m semi-embarrassed just typing the words. Minneapolis is basically micro-brewery paradise. Who needs watered down mass produced crap when you have literally dozens of delicious micro-brews at your fingertips?

Slaughterhouse turned micro-brewery

We didn’t spend a lot of time at the brewery, but it was great! They had a food market, local artists displaying their work, live bands, and of course, tons of beer. It was such a lively atmosphere and I’m glad we went. I think a tour of the brewery might be in our future.

Perfect day for an open house

Nothing like a live band and a brew

Now, for some even more exciting stuff. Christopher and I leave on Saturday for Side, Turkey! I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself! This will be my first trip to Turkey and Christopher’s fifth. Despite how expensive Sweden is, the round-trip flight and a week at the hotel is costing me less than I paid to fly home for Thanksgiving last year… so that’s awesome! Christopher’s parents have been in Turkey the last two weeks and have sent us some spectacular pictures- thanks for sending these!

Hotel where we’ll be staying

Not only am I looking forward to soaking up the sun on a Southern Mediterranean beach, I’m just as excited to explore the ancient Greek city that dates back to 700 B.C. I mean, Alexander the Great used to occupy Side and the great ruins are among the most notable in Asia Minor. I’m counting down the minutes until I’m there!

Looks like paradise to me!

Last Saturday, Christopher and I took a day trip to Helsingborg’s sister city in Denmark, Helsingør. We boarded the ferry and 20 minutes and two Danish sausages later, we were in Denmark! I remember thinking how cool it was that I could drive through three states in a couple of hours when I lived on the East Coast for two summers during college. I can hardly wrap my mind around being in another country in 20 minutes. On top of that, I didn’t need to show my passport to anyone. The concept that I could travel freely and not prove who I am and that I’m allowed to be in this particular country confounded me.

View of Helsingborg from the ferry

Helsingør, Denmark

Helsingør is a very cute little town with old buildings and cobblestone streets. Christopher told me Helsingør was also full of cheese shops and it did not disappoint! You don’t need to know me well to know that I love cheese. As a cheese connoisseur, these shops were like walking into a dream. There were wheels of cheese as big as tables! There were also several different kinds of flavored gouda, including pesto gouda. It was a horrific green color but I bet it tasted pretty amazing.

Checking out Helsingør!

Ferry station

Such a cute town!

Shopping street

Cobblestone streets

CHEESE!!!

We also checked out Kronborg Castle. Besides my love for old buildings and medieval towns, I really love going to palaces, castles and fortresses. Last summer, I toured the Royal Palace in Stockholm and Akershus Fortress in Oslo, as well as did some site-seeing on the grounds of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Of course, I couldn’t wait to add another castle to the list!

Since I can’t read Danish, here is a brief history of Kronborg Castle courtesy of Wikipedia. The castle was built by King Eric VII and dates back to the 1420s. For all you history buffs out there, that is before Columbus ‘discovered’ the Americas. The castle, along with Kärnan fortress on the Swedish side of Øresund sound, controlled the entrance of the Baltic Sea. Over the last several hundred years, it was remodeled, burnt down and rebuilt by various kings and then became army barracks. After the army left the castle, it was renovated and opened to the public so people like me can wander around and be excited about really old stuff!

Entrance of Kronborg Castle

Kronborg Castle

When small became smaller…

So many swans in the land of Hans Christian Andersen

Tower at Kronborg Castle