The Renée Review

SUMMER 2005

A day in Ronne, Bornholm Denmark

Bornholm Ferry:

Formers complete guide to Ronne:

Bornholm Tourism Info:

July & August daytime highs average 66F – 72F. Anticipated Rainfall is not available, though Bornholm is called the sunshine island.

A sweater & raincoat or umbrella.

Layered clothing

Sun Block

Shoes or boots to combat cobblestones and sidewalks.

Mosquito repellent & antihistamine cream for bites.

Calls to Denmark: The country code for Denmark is 45. There are not telephone area codes within Denmark.

Calls from Denmark: Dial 00, wait for the tone, and dial the country code, the area/city code and number. (US country code is 1)

Emergency: Fire, Police & Ambulance – 112

US Embassy & Tourist Board

US Embassy - Denmark

Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24

2100 Kobenhaven 0

Phone:  45 33.41.71.00

Fax:  45 35.43.02.23

Tourist Information Office

Bornholm's Velkomstcenter

Nordre Kystvej 3

DK-3700 Ronne, Bornholm Denmark

Phone:  45 5695-9500

Fax:  45 5695-9568

Banking, Currency & Credit Cards: 

The national currency of Denmark is called the Denmark Kroner. The Denmark Kroner is abbreviated DKK. The smaller unit is called ore. 1 Kroner = 100 Ore.

One US Dollar is 6.18427 DKK as of June 23, 2005.

Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at ATM’s, banks and exchange offices throughout the city.

Visas, MasterCard & American Express are accepted in major hotels, restaurants and shops, but ask first.

TAP WATER is CLEAN – however drinking from a babbling stream must be verified. Check before you drink!

The island of Bornholm has a population (2003) of 44,000 persons and Ronne’s population is 15,000 and is the islands largest settlement. Danish is the national language.

Restaurant bills & taxi fares include service. Further tipping is not necessary.

Traditional items are silverware, ceramics and hand blown glass. Amber washes up on Denmark’s west coast beaches and is a traditional jewelry item. The island is known for its Bornholmer grandfather clocks.  These have been made here by hand since 1744.

Bargaining is not common practice in Denmark.

The VAT (value added tax) is in the price of the goods you purchase and can be as much as 25%. The VAT can be refunded if you purchase more than 300 DKK in goods if you request a “Global Refund Check.” Shops that display a” Tax Free” shopping sign have the necessary paperwork, other shops may not.

The check must be validated at an international refund point found at international airports and harbor terminals.

Public toilets are scattered around town and are typically free. Toilets are marked in western fashion and will generally be clean. Carry your own Kleenex.

Denmark is the home of Lego Blocks.

The island of Bornholm is a tiny granite island and is known primarily for its 12^th century round churches.

Ronne is the capital of Bornholm.

Ronne has long stretches of beach.

Nude sun bathing is restricted to marked beaches. Topless sunbathing is common at all beaches – though use the general rule that if no one else is doing it, you shouldn’t either.

Use caution when swimming in the sea. If the wind is blowing onshore, beware of the undertow.

Bornholm is an attractive island to explore on bicycle.

If you choose not to spend the day at one of Ronne’s beaches, enjoy shopping and or a visit to the small scale Bornholm Ceramic Museum (Hjorth’s Fabrik) which is housed in the original factory dating back to 1860. Throughout the year, ceramic artists maintain studios inside the museum throwing clay, spinning, glazing and so forth for visitors.

You could also visit the Defense Museum (Forsvarsmuseet) located in the southern part of town.

Additionally, pay a visit to the Bornholms Museum. This museum is housed in the islands former hospital. It focuses on the Baltic, local traditions, costumes & the islands famous handmade Grandfather clocks. Here you’ll see displays on archaeology, 19^th century antiques, toys and island made silverware.

There is also Erickssons Gard (farm) which is on the outskirts of Ronne, a short walk from the town center. This farm was constructed in 1806 and is an example of the kind of farms that once populated the island. Here you’ll see antique furniture, oil paintings and gardens containing 160 species of roses and flowers.

Although marijuana and hashish are available in Denmark, sometimes openly, all forms of these and harder drugs are illegal.

Most buildings in Ronne are modern, as the 1945 war leveled the city.