A true cultural connection (From Campaign Series)

A true cultural connection

2:05pm Wednesday 10th October 2007 in Leisure

THE Oresund Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering which opened seven years ago. It connects one of the world's great capitals by road and rail with the charming Swedish city of Malmö .

There are flights from the UK to Copenhagen from a number of British airports. My wife and I flew from London Heathrow for a weekend break this summer.

The journey by train from the airport to Malmö takes about half an hour, with very regular services.

Malmö is Sweden's third largest city and has undergone something of a transformation in recent years, after suffering a long period of decline.

It is a pleasant surprise, being laid back, not too big to be overwhelming, as well as being somewhere that offers more than enough attractions to keep you happy.

Culture vultures will love its rich architectural history, with impressive buildings, some dating from the 13th century, along with the modern Western Harbour development and the nearby acclaimed Turning Torso by the architect Santiago Calatrava - nine cubes with a total of 54 storeys, with a 90-degree twist from top to bottom.

The Western Harbour waterfront has a great view of Oresund Bridge over The Sound to Copenhagen and is well worth a look, with a few bars and cafes alongside the development to pop into for a drink.

A visit to Malmö wouldn't be complete without a visit to Lilla Torg, the city's cool meeting place, a square surrounded by some fabulous 16th century buildings and home to an array of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Try a glass (or two) of the Swedish pear cider Kopparberg, on sale in the bars there.

The next day it was off to Copenhagen, also a haven for lovers of fine architecture and art, having some of the best museums and galleries in the world.

The ancient Egyptian collection at the NY Carlsberg Glyptotek in the centre of the city is stunning.

If you're after lighter fare, you can visit the famous Tivoli Gardens nearby, which are home to 38 restaurants, 26 rides and 400,000 flowers.

And a visit to Copenhagen wouldn't be complete without sampling a smorrebrod - a Danish open-faced sandwich - while enjoying a glass of ice cold Carlsberg.

It is lovely to sit out in Tivoli under the stars, with a drink in hand, listening to an evening concert. Malmö and Copenhagen are great and contrasting cities to visit for a weekend or longer break.

The locals are very friendly, they all seem to speak immaculate English and we encountered not a hint of trouble or hassle in this pleasant part of the world.

And, although it is not a cheap area to visit, it isn't exorbitant either.