TOP OF THE CONTINENT = TOP MICE
Northern Jutland: fascinatingly different

By Peter van Oyen

The high north of Danish Jutland has been represented by Ms Diana Andersen in Belgium as 'Top of the Continent' for some time already. This agency aims at making meeting planners aware of the meeting and incentive opportunities of this marvellous region in Denmark's northernmost part -still relatively unknown by the public at large. And this is a pity because the area offers, apart from a fascinating mix of nature and culture, sufficient facilities to welcome even the most demanding conference guests.

The starting point for a trip through this country of space and quiet is Aalborg. This town is commanded by the Limfjord, a 180-km long large fjord cutting Jutland into half. Although Aalborg, with its 160,000 inhabitants, stretches on both sides of this fjord, the largest part of the city is grouped around the historic centre on the south bank.

The nicest sites are to be found in the beautiful alleys behind Algade, where you can wanders amidst age-old houses with tiled yards and stepped gables that are, according to Danish tradition, painted in vivid pastel colours. Especially picturesque are the Aalborghus Castle (not far from the fjord and built by king Christian III in the 16th century), and St Budolfi Church (15th century). Very interesting for groups is the Helligåndsklostret (monastery of the Holy ghost) in Obel Plads. It has very well been preserved and houses some magnificent frescoes. At present the monastery contains service flats for old people, but major parts of it (including the former refectory of the monks) can be hired for meetings and dinners. Another venue for a meeting or dinner is Jens Bangs Stenhus (østerågade 9), built in 1624 and the largest renaissance house in the whole of Scandinavia. On the same premises there is also Duus Vinkjǽlder, a genuine vaulted wine cellar with candles and rustic tables, which can also host groups.

WELL EQUIPPED CONFERENCE FACILITIES
For those whose taste is a bit more modern, Aalborg offers well-equipped conference facilities. The Aalborg Kongres & Kultur Center (Europa Plads, 4, www.akkc.dk) is a well-known venue in the conference branch. Each year this 14,000m² facility welcomes over 500,000 visitors. The conference centre has no less than 40 conference rooms on three floors. A total of 2,400 guests can be welcomed for a wide variety of activities, from small meetings to large exhibitions, events and congresses. From the Aalborg Kongres & Kultur Center the visitors can go directly to the adjacent Quality Hotel Aalborg (Veterbro 12c, www.choicehotels.com), which offers168 ultra-modern guest rooms in the best of Danish design.

At the other side of the conference centre the Hotel Hvide Hus (Vesterbro 2, www.hotelhvidehus.dk) has 198 rooms, as well as its own conference centre for 400 people. From the Kilden restaurant on the 15th floor you have a breath-taking view of Aalborg and the Limfjord. Although Aalborg is a human-scaled town, there are some 1500 more hotel rooms in various other hotels, all of them within walking distance from the conference centre and the old city centre.
Especially interesting for the business world is the NOVI science and business park (Niels Jernes Vej 10, www.novi.dk), situated slightly out of the city. This spin-off of Aalborg University and various blue chip companies develops prototypes of high-tech products. NOVI quite often works for the pharmaceutical and medical world. Another part of the park researches the newest communication and computer technology. It can host groups for congresses and lectures.

Something of a completely different order is a meeting or a galadinner in the Nordjyllands Art Museum (Kong Christian Alle 50, www.nordjyllandskunstmuseum.dk), dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The building, designed by the Finnish couple Elissa and Alvar Alto, is worth a visit already for the architecture.

THE INNER MAN
The Aalborg people like to eat well, and a lot! The town's Jomfru Ane Gade is a gastronomic street, abounding with pubs and restaurants. Here you have to try the world-famous smørrebrød, a thin sliceof bread with a leaf of lettuce and other ingredients like salmon, shrimps; paté or roast beef. And for those who want to treat themselves to some true culinary delights, Mortens Kro restaurant (Mølleå 4-6, Mølleå Arkaden, www.mortenskro.com) welcomes its guests in a cosmopolitan and modern setting. The interior and lighting are very promising, and these promises are met by chef-owner Morten Nielsen, who once was chosen as best chef of Denmark, and who still is a well-known television celebrity. With the best of ingredients he creates the most enticing dishes. Another culinary pole of attraction is Rosdahls at the waterfront (Strandvejen 6, www.rosdahls.dk). This restaurant, located in a former warehouse, has an impressive wine cellar and serves honest Danish gastronomy. Of special interest to groups is the restaurant's own boat that is available for receptions and cocktails. An icebreaking meeting -both in the literal and figurative meaning- is to be found at Elbjørn (Strandvejen 6 b, www.isbryderen-elbjorn.dk). This is an iceboat from 1954 that has recently been transformed into a restaurant, a glassblower's workshop, aquavit lounge and museum. This unique setting offers meeting and catering facilities for up to 60 people.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Aalborg is also the gateway to Denmark's finger top that still offers enough space to get a fresh nose. On Lindhom Høje, a grass-green hill on the northern Limfjord bank, the spirits of the ancient Vikings still roam about (Vendilavej 11, Nørresundby, www.nordjyllandshistoriskemuseum.dk). Under some metres of drifting sand 700 tombs were discovered, dating back from the late Iron age to 1050 A.D. These tombs are surrounded by heavy stones, some of them in the form of a Viking ship and others having an oval shape. Group members can put on a Viking helmet and do all ancient games and traditions of the brave warriors all over again. They can get their inspiration in the neighbouring museum that renders the daily life of these Vikings.
At Lindholm Høje, gala dinners can be hosted for an unlimited number - a great way of experiencing local Danish folklore.

You can get a breath of fresh air on the Råbjerg Mile, a 30-metre high shifting dune, which is a natural reserve. In some places you will think that you are in the Sahara desert. The Råbjerg Mile lies in Skagen, the idyllic and northernmost village in the top of Jutland. This former fishermen's village with its typical houses attracted a lot of painters at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. They were attracted by the beauty of the scenery and the quiet. They also came because of the unique light, that was caused by the interaction of sea and sand. Painters like Poul and Anna Archer and P.S. Krøyer were masters at capturing this northern light on the canvas. You can admire their work in the unique Skagen Museum (Brøndumsvej 4, www.skagensmuseum.dk). In the original room where the painters met, dinners for groups of up to 24 people can be organised.

DENMARK'S JETSET
The painters have woken up the once so quiet Skagen and made it into a popular place. Especially in summer Skagen is not exactly quiet anymore, but the beauty has remained. These days the village is frequented by Denmark's jetset, most of whom have a second home there. Over here the visitor finds a lot of hip shops and trendy restaurants. In the Pakhuset restaurant, for example, a cosy eatery in a former warehouse near Skagen's picturesque harbour, you can taste all the best from the sea (Rødspǽttevej 6, www.pakhuset-skagen.dk).

Not surprisingly, the village is renowned for its top hotels. In the dunes of the old part of Skagen, the visitors will find two hidden treasures. Ruths Hotel (Hans Ruths Vej 1, www.ruths-hotel.dk) has recently completely been renovated and offers 26 modern spacious rooms with Bang&Olufsen flat-screen television sets and Jacuzzi. The new conference room equipped with all modern meeting technology can host up to 40 people. The guests can get spoiled in a genuine wellness clinic with thalasso therapy. In Ruths Gourmet restaurant Frech top chef Michel Machaud spoils his guests with top gastronomy.

A bit further on sister hotel Strandhotellet (Jeckelsvey 2, www.strandhotellet.glskagen.dk) is nested in the dunes of Skagen's old quarter. This cosy hotel has 28 luxurious rooms (many of them with sea view) breathing an intimate atmosphere. A bit further on the Strandhuset, also built in Skagen style, offers 6 exclusive penthouses. The hotel has a small conference facility in an octagonal beach pavilion, where groups of up to 24 people find an ideal setting for brainstorming sessions. For lunch and dinner the hotel's own restaurant is well suited, and larger groups can be hosted in the adjacent Sømarket Restaurant. And even larger groups can be welcomes at the Color Hotel Skagen GL. Landevej 39, www.skagenhotel.dk). It has 152 guest rooms and 7 conference rooms for 10 to 350 persons.

MAGNET
Everyone visiting Skagen, wants to go to Grenen, the highest top of Denmark where the North Sea and Baltic Sea meet. In the protected dune area west and north of Skagen you will find the futuristic looking Skagen Odd Natur Centre (Batterivej 51, www.skagen-natur.dk). This unique location where sea, sand and light meet, is the perfect place for a gala dinner or product launch. This centre contains a conference facility that can seat 150 people.

Grenen works like a magnet; it really is the 'top of the continent'. In order to get there you have to cross the protected beach and dune area. From the parking lot you have to slog through the sand for some 20 minutes. So, a lot of visitors choose to take the tractor -suitably called the 'sand worm'. Grenen is a peninsula where the Kattegat waves hit those from the Skagerak -a unique and special place. Only a layer of froth indicates the place where the two seas meet. There is no better location for a teambuilding activity, or a picnic. The soft rustle of the waves in the background is a free extra.