Walking down the cobblestone stone streets of Stroget, you seem to travel back to the time of Hans Christian Anderson. But upon seeing McDonald’s, designer names such as Prada and Dior, and people talking endlessly on their cell phones, you quickly remember exactly what century you are in.

Stroget is the longest pedestrian street in the world. This mile-long street runs east at, Kongens Nyterr (Kings Square), to west, at Radhuspladsen (City Hall Square). The area is several centuries old, once being used for pretty much the same thing it still is. This is where Danes once brought produce, clothing, and household items, and grabbed a bite to eat. A couple of centuries later, it is still the main shopping area. Today, there are more than 100 stores offering everything from designer threads (names like Prada and Claiborn are among the many) to local designers to crafts, jewelry shops, exclusive boutiques, bookstores, candle shops, and household items. Illum is the top department store, which has six floors of designer shops, and the top floor houses nine restaurants. They have a wonderful fabric store that Tine had to show me. TIP: If you plan on going fabric shopping, then make sure you bring a tape measure with you that measures at least 1 yard. Fabric here is measured in meters.

They have an amber museum and shop here. Amber seems to be the big thing since I saw it all over the place. They have a branch of the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum along these antique streets. You will find a number of pubs and restaurants here. There is a huge three-story McDonald’s here. While it still serves the typical burgers and fries, the restaurants itself is quite sleek and sophisticated looking on the inside. The tables and chairs looked more like something out of a chic coffeehouse instead of a Mickey D’s. They have curved shapes and forms to them - very nice. I even found a shop with Elvis and Marilyn Monroe merchandise.

While Tine and I were in the fabric shop, we heard a ruckus going on. Everyone stopped to see what was going on. It just turned out that a major soccer match was being held that day between Denmark and Germany. There were some very loud but otherwise harmless German soccer fans. We later saw them in mass down at King's Square. We were here during the Christmas holiday season, and there were beautiful holiday decorations everywhere. It was like something you would see in a postcard.

Most shops are open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 7pm on Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday. Some stores are open on Sunday. You are entitled to a VAT refund, so save your receipts. Restaurants and pubs do have longer hours.

Starting at Kongens Nytorv, home to the regal facades of Charlottenburg Palace and the Royal Theatre and with the famous statue of Christian V at its centre, Østergade is the most exclusive part of Strøget, overlooked by the red brick tower and green copper spire of the Nikolaj Kirke its slight, designer shop lined curve ends at Illums Department Store, a Copenhagen institution with one of Reinh van Hauen’s bakery outlets at its ground floor entrance.

Amagertorv takes over at the junction with Købmagergade, the outdoor tables of The Dubliner pub spilling onto the mosaic covered square near the 400 year old Royal Copenhagen building and the heron adorned Storkespringvandet (Stork Fountain). Look south for a great view of historic Slotsholmen, founded by Bishop Absalon – the subject of the nearby equestrian statue – in 1167. The wide street narrows as you pass the benches and hot dog vans near Helligåndskirken, squeezing through the hectic Vimmelskaftet, which in turn curves into Nygade, the shortest of Strøget’s thoroughfares.

Nygade intersects the wide rectangle formed by Gammeltorv and Nytorv (literally ‘old’ and ‘new’ squares), twin squares on the site of the city’s first marketplace, held when it was no more than a strategically located fishing village. The market has since shrunk into a few stalls selling cheap trinkets, clothes and fruit & veg. Of greater interest is the Domhus (Law Courts) and the risqué Caritas Fountain. Look closely and you’ll see water spurting out of Charity’s breasts while the small boy at her feet relieves himself into the pool of water below.

Frederiksberggade is the youngest and tackiest part of Strøget, a straight line of neon lights advertising fast food, glass shop fronts and souvenir shops with matching piles of t-shirts, Little Mermaid figures, postcards and key rings, opening into Rådhuspladsen, the City Hall towering over the wide square to the left and Tivoli and Central Station just a few minutes away across the busy road junction straight ahead.

Strøget forms the spine of the city. At one end of Strøget is the exclusive square, Kongens Nytorv, with the Royal Theatre, the Magasin Department Store and the city's prestigious Hotel d'Angleterre. At the other end is the large bustling Rådhuspladsen, where the huge City Hall acts as a monumental landmark.

We entered from the Rådhuspladsen . The first 250 metres covered the area where the original hamlet of Havn stood - also known as Kobenhavn. Strøget immediately took on its character – shops galore with the hustle and bustle of people from all walks of life. Buskers sang and at the many pavement cafés local street musicians were busy.

Soon we came to Gammeltorv and Nytorv (old and new square), the first open space. In the centre of Gammeltorv stands Karitasbrøden (well of charity), which has been elevated into a glorious fountain. Further on at Amagertorv we found the Stork fountain and some of the best but most expensive shops in the city. Down towards the right stood Christiansborg (parliament building).

Turning left two blocks further on we entered a passage called Pistolstraede - resembles a pistol. A former slum area it is now downright chic. We had our lunch at the bakery Konditoriet there. At the square where the pistol handle starts we followed a passage leading out into Grønnegade. Here we found a shop selling copies of jewellery made during the Bronze, Iron and Viking ages.

At the end of Strøget, Kongens Nytorv, we came to the area referred to in the guide as the 'Royal' end - apparently because of its nearness to the Royal Palace and because the shops in the area contain exclusive goods. The areas of Østergade and Amagertorv form one of the most attractive shopping areas in Scandinavia. The shops and boutiques specialise in top quality goods from all over the world.

Besides the special shops, the cities three department stores, Illum, Magasin, and Daells Varehus cater to all needs. One of the larger stores, Illum Bolighus, is the centre for the latest Scandinavian designs. It maintains high quality in furniture, textiles, and handicraft products. Other shops with an international reputation for excellent quality and design are those that specialise in furs.

The key to Danish design is its simplicity, with a high standard of quality, craftsmanship and elegance. In the technical area of hi-fi-, radio and TV, Danish designs have achieved worldwide recognition. Copenhagen is also famous for its porcelain, especially for hand painted Christmas plates and the luxurious Flora Danica dinner service.