By Morten Suhr Hansen
Summer is almost here, and the holiday is just around the corner. I genuinely need it. The past few months have moved at a pace where even my calendar has been asking for a break. I am looking forward to switching off, finding the sun hat, and recharging.
This year we also have the Football World Cup running throughout the summer. The one small catch is that Denmark did not qualify. Unlike our friends in Sweden and Norway, who we will have to cheer on from the sofa, we can at least console ourselves with the fact that we win the subscription World Cup. That one I never take a holiday from.
Here are my 10 subscriptions that make summer a little better. Some are practical, some are pure indulgence, and a couple are just for fun. Read on, and feel free to share your own favourites in the comments. You might have the perfect one I have missed.
TV2 Play
I start, naturally, with the television. A summer without sport is like a barbecue without charcoal. The World Cup runs across the screen right up until the final on 19 July, and even without Denmark in the mix, there is still Brazil, France, England and everyone else to get excited about. DR shows half the games for free, but if you want full coverage, including the studio shows and Tour de France with Vingegaard on top, TV2 Play is hard to avoid. Get it set up at the summer house and you are covered on the rainy days.
Coffee Collective
After a late night in front of the football, you need a proper coffee. I do not compromise on that, holiday or not. Coffee Collective roasts some of the finest coffee in the country, and you can have the beans delivered by post on subscription so the pot is always full. It is a small daily luxury that costs a little more than the discount option and makes the morning considerably better. Holiday or not, a good cup of coffee is never wasted.
Park4Night
Dreaming of waking up with a sea view from the campervan, or just finding the perfect spot for a lunch break on a road trip? Park4Night is your best travel companion. The app collects thousands of overnight spots and hidden gems, recommended by other travellers. With Park4Night+ you unlock even more filters and favourites. It has saved many a summer holiday from ending on a bleak motorway service station.
Mediano
When you are in the car or out on a walk, you need something in your ears. And with a World Cup on the calendar, football talk practically becomes a national sport in itself. Mediano delivers some of the best sports podcasts in Denmark, and a subscription gives you access to everything. Perfect company on the long drive south, when the rest of the car is asleep and you can listen to the experts argue over who is taking home the trophy.
Goodiebox
A little indulgence is well deserved. Goodiebox sends a box of beauty products every month at a fraction of the retail price, and the anticipation of opening it is almost half the pleasure. In summer it is all about sunscreen, lip balm and everything else that belongs in the beach bag. It is the gift you give yourself or someone you care about, and it just keeps arriving next month.
Rapha Cycling Club
Cycling is the defining summer activity, and it is better in company. Rapha Cycling Club brings together cyclists for regular group rides with experienced leaders, whether you are fast on the pedals or mainly in it for the coffee stop afterwards. The real advantage of membership is the reach. The club has clubhouses around the world, so you can join a group ride whether you are in Copenhagen, Mallorca or New York. And if you travel light, you can borrow a quality road bike at the clubhouse when you are flying. No need to drag your own bike through the airport to get the summer miles in.
Mikkeller Beer Mail
The grill is lit, the sun is going down, and you deserve a proper beer. Mikkeller Beer Mail sends a box of craft beers every month, selected by some of Denmark’s most dedicated beer enthusiasts. No long commitment required, and you are guaranteed to taste styles you would never have found on your own. A small flavour journey delivered to your door, with a great Danish entrepreneurial story attached.
Duolingo
If the trip is heading south, a few words in the local language go a long way. Just hello, thank you and two beers. Gestures cover the rest. Duolingo is the little green owl that keeps reminding you to practise, right up until the guilt kicks in. Start for free and switch to the paid version if you get genuinely hooked. Spanish, Italian, Greek or any of the many other languages on the shelf. It does not care, as long as you show up.
ClassPass
A holiday does not have to mean the training stops, and it is more fun to work out with others. With ClassPass you get access to group classes across studios and cities on one subscription. Try yoga, spinning, bootcamp or something outdoors in the park. You turn up, you follow the class, and you come back because it is more enjoyable than running alone. And suddenly the guilt over the summer ice cream and beer is perfectly manageable.
Champagnekassen
And we finish where a good summer should finish: with bubbles. Champagnekassen delivers hand-picked champagne to your door, so there is always a cold bottle ready when something deserves celebrating. In summer, everything deserves celebrating: the sunshine, Friday, the neighbour’s freshly trimmed hedge. It is the most festive way to turn an ordinary Tuesday evening into something special. A small luxury that pops every time it arrives.
That is my summer list for this year. Ten subscriptions that each make the warm months a little better, from the early morning coffee to the late-evening bubbles on the terrace. Let me know which ones you go for, and whether there is a favourite I have missed.
Have a great summer.
