A stamp in your passport doesn't make you a traveller

I believe travelling is not only about ticking off destinations on a list; it’s about experiencing these destinations, learning about their history, getting to know the locals, sharing stories with other travellers and, most importantly, taking time to enjoy it.

Totally against this belief, I jumped at the opportunity to go to Copenhagen for only a day and a half a few months ago. According to the initial See the World with Spar itinerary I would have spent a week in Denmark, but one of my visa applications took longer than expected and I couldn’t leave the UK without a passport.

When I finally received my visa, there were two days left before I was supposed to be in Norway. So I chose to go to Copenhagen and then fly to Oslo instead of spending another two days in London.

Yes, I can say I’ve been to Denmark. And yes, I learnt a bit about the history, I saw a few impressive buildings on a walking tour (in pouring rain may I add), I now know that you’ll have to break the bank if you want to go there for longer than one day, and I can even say I’ve sung karaoke in an overpriced backpackers in Copenhagen.

But sadly, I cannot tell you whether I liked the city’s atmosphere, I cannot tell you anything about Danish people’s habits, what they do for fun, whether I‘d like to live or work there. I also only realised how beautiful the city is as I was leaving, sitting in a window seat of the plane to Oslo.

Since I might not get the opportunity again, I won't really say that I regret going to Denmark. But if I plan an overseas trip again, I won't spent only one day in a big city. A new stamp in your passport does not mean that you’ve travelled in the true sense of the word.

The colourful Copenhagen harbour.

Leaving Copenhagen. My stay was way too short.