Few individuals have impacted a country's tourism as profoundly as Danish writer Karen Blixen has on Africa's. The Hollywood adaptation of her book "Out of Africa," starring Meryl Streep, inspired thousands to explore Kenya's vast landscapes, vibrant culture, and wildlife, influencing perceptions of neighboring countries like Tanzania.
While many tourists visit the Blixen Farm in Nairobi, the grave of Denys Finch Hatton (portrayed by Robert Redford in the film), and other locations from the book, Blixen herself remains a figure of enduring fascination. Much of her story, however, lies in her native Denmark, where she returned after Finch Hatton's death and wrote until her own in 1962.
Blixen was born in 1885 in a sixteenth-century mansion in Rungsted, 26 kilometers north of Copenhagen, on the Strait of Oresund. She returned to this home in 1931. Surrounded by 40 acres of natural reserve and frequented by migratory birds, this was where Blixen embarked on her literary journey. Her early career was challenging, but she gained popularity with both critics and the public. Several of her stories were adapted into films posthumously, including "The Immortal Story" (starring Orson Welles) and "Babette's Feast" (directed by Gabriel Axel).
Blixen traveled to the United States, befriending prominent writers, some of whom visited her in Rungsted. Truman Capote, describing his visit, called her “a true seductress, a conversational seductress,” captivated by her storytelling by the fire in her beautiful house.
Each night, Blixen would reportedly open her door to gaze southward toward Africa before contemplating the drawings, pictures, and map of her farm near the Ngong Hills. Her Rungsted home, adorned with African artifacts, including a box from Zanzibar and various African artifacts, reflects her unique cross-continental legacy. She was buried under a massive tree behind this house.
The area boasts other cultural attractions. Ten kilometers north, Knud W. Jensen, a friend of Blixen, established Louisiana, an estate housing his private art collection, including works by Picasso and Giacometti. It stands today as one of Europe's most intriguing museums, blending art and nature.
Further north, where the Oresund Strait widens, lies Helsingor, the setting for Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Shakespeare, inspired by earlier legends, never visited the place or Kronborg Castle, a sixteenth-century structure overlooking the strait.
Tips & Suggestions
Where to Stay
The luxurious five-star Hotel d'Angleterre, near the Theatre Royal, the main shopping center, and the Nyhavn Canal.
The elegant 71 Nyhavn Hotel, a four-star establishment in a former warehouse overlooking the harbor.
Where to Eat
Formel, known for its fusion of French and Danish cuisine.Noma, one of Copenhagen's finest restaurants.For a typical Danish lunch, try smorrebrod at Slotskaelderen (Fortunstraede 4), near Stroget, the main shopping street.Garbrodretorv offers a variety of inviting dining options.