In Berlin, we set our own unique pace for a perfect day.

We never let the sprawling metropolis overwhelm us - instead, we split the city into small, delightful bites of our very own personal highlights.

We visit the panda at the lovely zoo, nibble on chocolates at Sawade, shop at Esther Perbandt, linger in the sculpture garden of the Neue Nationalgalerie, swim in the rooftop pool at Wilmina and eat delicious food at Otto.

That’s how our German capital can be simply perfect for an entire day.

A day in Stockholm can easily be perfect for us - just slip into something comfortable and set off, hopping from one island to the next.

Enjoy the view from Monteliusvägen and a coffee from Drop Coffee.

Picking flowers at Rosendals Trädgård and picnicking under Djurgården’s apple trees.

Eating Hasselback potatoes in the garden at Hantverket and drifting off to sleep at the Frantz Hotel, looking forward to their wonderful Swedish breakfast.

For us, these are twenty-four perfect hours in Stockholm

Back in the 1960s, my mother attended the International College of Household Management, where she learned everything expected of a proper housewife.

Today, I leaf through her radiant blue A5 ring binders, flipping through slightly yellowed pages filled with her handwriting. 

Titles like “Trousseau Laundry” or “Cleaning“ and “Mending” jump out at me.

Right from the “Trousseau Laundry” section, I’m forced to admit that I lack what it takes to be the perfect housewife. 

I don’t own the required six to twenty-four washcloths (then available for 1.50 Deutsche Mark), nor do I possess the floor polisher that is listed as essential in the chapter „Cleaning“.

The chapter „Cocktail Parties“ feels far more like me.

In Copenhagen, a day is perfect for us when we open our eyes in the charming Nyboder Apartment, when we’re first in line at Juno Bakery, when we’re sitting in the shade of the old trees in Ørsted’s Park, when our legs are dangling over the quay wall at Nyhavn or when the delicious smørrebrød is placed in front of us at Selma.

And of course, there’s even more to make a day perfect in the Danish capital.

Here, we’ll share our favourite Copenhagen city walk with you.

We explore Amsterdam for a perfect day on a bike and a boat.

We sway across the narrow canals passing houses that have seen golden ages. 

We cycle through the old De Pijp neighbourhood and shop at Dille & Kamille. 

We sip fabulous coffee at the Scandinavian Embassy and Negroni at Night Kitchen.

Julius and Amy cook for us at JA, and we sleep in the enchanting Canal House with a view of the water.

Our perfect day in the Dutch capital would look like this.

in short…

• sweet boutique hotel in the heart of Östermalm

• spacious rooms in a charming vintage look and a wonderful breakfast

• our tip - take an evening stroll through the park to Hantverket, then slip slightly tipsy into your cosy hotel bed

Everyone knows the saying „A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush“.

In German, this proverbial bird is specifically a sparrow.

It means you’re better off having something little and good for sure than chasing after something bigger out of reach.

The Sparrow Hotel in Stockholm’s Östermalm not only has a plump sparrow as its logo, but is exactly that – a small, really good, charming boutique hotel.

If you're considering staying here, you really don't need to search any further.

The location couldn’t be more central, and the rooms are spacious and furnished in a cool vintage style.

Every corner of the ground floor is cosier than the last, so we love to take short breaks here during our city excursions or even linger a little longer over the delicious breakfast.

in short…

• a pleasant archipelago atmosphere, right in the heart of Vasastan

• Swedish classics - from cardamom buns to Princess cake

• all handmade - from heirloom grains and with a real passion for the product

Puff pastries filled with custard or red berries, yeast buns with cinnamon sugar and cardamom, meringues, punch rolls or the bright green Swedish Princess Cake, which was invented especially for Princess Margaretha and her sisters in the 1930s – all of these delicacies are temptingly displayed in Bergstrands Bageri.

The tiny shop is known among Stockholmers as a „Hål i väggen“ - a hole in the wall. 

This only adds to its charm, of course, as the few seats inside the shop are snug and right in the thick of things.

Outside, there are a few more seats in front of the beautiful old building on the corner of Frejgatan and Västmannagatan.

in short…

• Swedish squid and Norwegian oysters

• pub atmosphere in a cosy basement in Vasastan

• the perfect way to while away time - watching the friendly team in the open kitchen

This little restaurant, tucked away in a cosy basement in trendy Vasastan, describes itself rather well:

“Främmat is a cosy, charming restaurant where the scent of good food and a great atmosphere linger in the air. Our food and drink menus are constantly changing. We have one foot in classic French cuisine and the other in innovative, creative cooking with no rules.”

And we can only add how incredibly welcoming Främmat is, with its open kitchen and friendly team - definitely one of our all-time favourites in Stockholm!

in short…

• quiet boutique hotel in a historic university building

• cosy city hideaway close to the canal belt

• coffee in bed with a front row view of Oosterpark

The feeling of snuggling into freshly starched, soft, gently rustling hotel bed linen is simply wonderful.

Outside, heavenly peace, only the rustling of the trees in front of the window – it is hard to believe that the Pillows is not a wellness hotel on the edge of a forest, but a fine, small and supremely comfortable city hotel in the middle of Amsterdam. 

Located right on the edge of the canal belt, it is super central yet beautifully quiet with a view of the green Oosterpark – simply dreamy!

in short…

• a small shop for Japanese crafts and interior design in Frederiksberg

• Danish hygge and Japan’s delicate aesthetic

• we love the vintage kokeshi dolls

Who doesn’t dream of a visit to Japan? To see the snow at the top of Mount Fuji with your own eyes or the delicate cherry blossoms in Kyoto, is surely high on the list for not only us.

But it is also the refined aesthetic of Japanese craftsmanship that is so appealing.

If you frequently travel to Japan with an empty extra suitcase, to bring it back home packed with travel treasures, you might want to stop reading here.

But if you’re longing for a little bit of lovingly curated Japan within Europe, this charming shop in Copenhagen’s Frederiksberg is just the place for you.

Added to this is the Danish talent for hygge interiors, which makes Sakura on Gammel Kongevej a dream shop for those who love beautiful things.

in short…

• a picturesque cheese shop in Amsterdam’s Negen Straatjes

• handmade raw-milk cheeses from local farms

• favourite souvenir - Skylger cheese and dried muscat grapes

Tulips, windmills, Gouda? Of course - if you want to, you can find that charming cliché everywhere in Holland.

And we realise we’re asking for a leap of trust when we say that our secret tip is located in Amsterdam’s Nine Streets, which are actually anything but secret.

But those who, like us, love good cheese should know that the art of cheese-making has been cultivated in the Netherlands for centuries.

And at De Kaaskamer, the lovely little cheese shop in the old town, the finest local cheeses are stacked right up to the ceiling. 

in short…

• a gorgeous restaurant in Amsterdam’s historic Lastage district

• chef Orlando David combines fabulous food with warm hospitality

• the perfect start – a glass of champagne with brioche and smoked eel

A chef with South American roots, trained in European Michelin-starred cuisine, cooking with local Dutch produce.

The combination is just as exciting as it sounds.

Orlando David’s restaurant, with the unpretentious name R21, won our hearts straight away. 

Set in a beautiful historic Amsterdam house on the edge of the Lastage district, it is laid out over three adjoining rooms.

Each is as elegantly furnished as the next, yet the refined restaurant does not feel intimidating.

The welcome could hardly be warmer, and a glass of champagne is served here with French nonchalance as a delightful aperitif to accompany Dutch Zeeland oysters.

in short. . . 

• Design Hotel with Danish beach house charm

• dream location on Christiansholm island with beautiful views across the water

• and all our favourite spots right outside the door

The name of this small hotel chain promises us an extra hour on top of any ordinary day. 

We all love that wonderful feeling of having experienced so much in a single day that it feels longer than any other. 

On the water-surrounded Paper island we look out from our bed at the 25 Hours, over the glistening waves in the North Harbour, the park in front of the modern Royal Opera House, to the green dome of Frederiks Church and the houses on the former naval site, where small boats bob and the first guests sit outside Hart Bageri.

Clearly the perfect place from which we dive into our day in Copenhagen brimming with energy.

in short…

• Noma's cool Rosio Sanchez shows us how stunning Mexican cuisine can be

• corn tortillas and cloudberries - here in Vesterbro, Mexico gets a Nordic touch

• what we can hardly get enough of - the Spicy Mezcal Margarita

Have you tried our tip for Hija de Sanchez, Rosio Sanchez's fantastic taco stands in Torvehallerne or Broens Gadekøkken? 

If you like it here, you'll definitely be just as enthusiastic as we are about Rosio's fine dining restaurant Sanchez in Vesterbro.

So far, it has mainly been rustic American Tex-Mex cuisine that has made its way to Europe. But it has never quite won our hearts.

At Sanchez, we learn how finely tuned Mexican food can be.

in short…

• in the middle of Stockholm's Norrmalm district - an Izakaya that has won our hearts

• the delicious street food-style dishes bear the fine signature of star-rated cuisine

• we love the great vibes here, between delicate paper fish and a smoking charcoal grill

Upplandsgatan runs straight and steadily uphill through charming Norrmalm to Gustaf Vasa Church with its imposing green dome.

Halfway up, simple wooden benches are screwed onto a classic Stockholm house, adapted to the sloping street.

The people sitting here are relaxed, in good moods and seem to know each other. 

So, a cool Swedish bar in a hip neighbourhood? Almost!

in short…

• Magnus Pettersson elevates the Danish classic to Bib Gourmand level

• this small Smørrebrød restaurant near Torvehallerne has the ambience of a Swedish summer's day

• we love the selection of local beers on tap

For many, the epitome of Danish cuisine is the Smørrebrød.

At Selma, near the Copenhagen Market Halls, this classic dish is elevated to an exquisite delicacy, crafted with the finest ingredients and a lot of love.

In a relaxed, familial atmosphere, it’s a joy to explore the imaginative versions of this traditional favorite.

in short…

• Redzepis fine burgers in a charming corner house in Christianshavn

• dry-aged organic beef or vegetarian quinoa tempeh

• most delicious side dish – Danish oxheart tomatoes with semi-dried strawberries

From a pop-up idea by the famous Noma chef, René Redzepi, Popl Restaurant has become a permanent spot for burger gourmets.

"Burger" and "gourmet" sound like a mismatch in one sentence? Not at Popl!

Here, the beloved fast food is transformed into mindful slow food, crafted with the best ingredients and extraordinary Noma expertise.

in short…

• Beau Clugston brings Australian ease and Noma precision together in his seafood restaurant

• from the open kitchen the friendly team always keeps an eye on their guests 

• our favourite - squid mousse with samphire and lavender

Near the Copenhagen harbor promenade, a few steps up on Peder Skrams Gade 15, you enter Iluka.

A floor-length red curtain along one side of the room hints at an elegant theatrical production.

Indeed, the carefully selected and lovingly prepared seafood and fish we enjoy deserve this special presentation.

On the right, the room is bright and welcoming, with warm, unpretentious wooden furniture and a white-tiled bar.

This is how we experience our visit to Iluka - exquisite and refined, yet relaxed and familial.

in short…

• street food this delicious and high-quality is hard to find elsewhere

• burgers from Gasoline Grill, tacos from Hija de Sanchez or gyros from Strangas

• summer festival vibe or winter magic - we like this place in every seasonAt Broens Gadekøkken, Copenhagen’s chefs show just how high-quality and delicious street food can be.

Overlooking the water with a view of the harbor, you can sit on simple wooden benches and indulge in burgers, tacos, seafood and much more, accompanied by Danish beer, homemade lemonades, or creamy milkshakes.

in short…

• arguably the finest pizza north of the Alps is served here in Nørrebro

• the exquisite mozzarella and burrata are crafted in-house by Christian Puglisi

• particularly appealing - the Neapolitan stone oven with its open fire

Italy has an enclave in Copenhagen!

At Bæst in Nørrebro, our foodie hearts soar.

The best local organic products and the skilled hands of Chef Christian Puglisi ensure that even the simplest dishes are a grand delight.

From pizza to pistachio ice cream, we indulge in a Danish-Italian Dolce Vita.