DETAILS: Copenhagen

GETTING THERE: Several major air carriers offer direct service from the Washington area to Copenhagen. Round-trip fares start at about $840. A nonstop flight from Dulles on SAS starts at $956.

WHERE TO STAY: The new Hotel Nimb (5, Bernstorffsgade, 011-45-88-70-00-00, http://www.nimb.dk) is adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, with 12 of the 13 rooms overlooking the show. As you can imagine, prices aren't cheap, with rooms starting at $605 per night. Less expensive accommodations can be found at centrally located chain hotels such as the Copenhagen Marriott (888-236-2427, http://www.marriott.com), where rooms start at about $313, or near the train station in the Vesterbro neighborhood, home of the Absalon Hotel (011-45-33-24-22-11, http://www.absalon-hotel.dk), where a double with breakfast goes for $195. Double rooms with shared bath and continental breakfast at the Hotel Jorgensen (011-45-33-13-81-86, http://www.hoteljoergensen.dk) start at $130.

WHAT TO DO: Every visitor has to see Tivoli Gardens (011-45-33-15-10-01, http://www.tivoli.dk), where admission is about $17.75 for adults; ages 3 to 11, $9.40; younger than 3, free. Note: Amusement park rides cost extra and range from about $4 to $12. The park is open daily through Sept. 21 and then periodically during the Halloween and Christmas seasons.

Shoppers will want to head to Stroget, a pedestrian thoroughfare comprising four continuous streets. There you'll find the Georg Jensen boutique (4, Amagertorv, 011-45-33-11-40-80, http://www.georgjensen.com), the Royal Copenhagen shop and museum (4-10, Amagertorv, 011-45-33-13-71-81, http://www.royalcopenhagen.com) and, nearby, the Le Klint store (1, Store Kirkestraede, 011-45-33-11-66-63, http://www.leklint.com).

Intrepid swimmers, meanwhile, can take a dip for free at the one-of-a-kind pool-in-a-canal, Islands Brygge havnebadet, open through August. It's just across Langebro bridge, walking distance from the city center.

WHERE TO EAT: Travelers on a budget will want to make a beeline for the sausage carts that seem to be on every street corner; a good-size dog goes for a little more than $3. Delicious Danish pastries can be found at Lagkagehuset (45, Torvegade) and La Glace (3, Skoubogade) starting at about $2. The open-faced sandwiches at Ida Davidsen (70, Store Kongensgade) start at about $10, and the astonishing variety makes this tourist destination worth the trip. Two upscale dining experiences in and around Tivoli, meanwhile, are the Paul (3, Vesterbrogade, http://www.thepaul.dk), where prix-fixe dinners start at $146, and Restaurant Herman (5, Bernstorffsgade, http://www.nimb.dk), where they start at $145. Reservations at both are essential.

INFO: Wonderful Copenhagen, the official visitors and convention site, can be reached at http://www.visitcopenhagen.com. Also see Visit Denmark ( http://www.visitdenmark.com).