Attractions - Denmark

Attractions - Copenhagen

Funen, Denmark

Known as the Garden of Denmark, pastoral and picturesque Funen is Denmark’s second-largest island. Aero and Langeland are two of the most popular of the nearby 90 islands. The rural scenery of these islands, with their thatched farmhouses and quaint windmills scattered around the landscape, has an irresistible charm that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Odense is the largest town on Funen. This pleasant city offers the best of both worlds - a busy social hub and charming areas offering quiet areas for rest and relaxation. The proudest boast of Odense is that it is the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous storytellers - Hans Christian Andersen. Odense features many attractions related to Andersen, including the Hans Christian Andersen Hus and Hans Christian Andersen Haven, an attractive riverside park. Other attractions include the Fyns Kunstmuseum, an art gallery of some repute containing a fine collection of Danish art, and the Funen Village, an open-air museum comprising a reconstructed 19th-century village. Cycle around Funen with its gentle hills and pretty scenery and enjoy the sights and sounds of Keterminde, a sleepy seaside town flanked by impressive sandy beaches. Make the short journey to the Hindsholm peninsula, a delightful rural area dotted with 16th-century churches and old, half-timbered farmhouses. Stroll through the picturesque cobbled streets of the town of Faaborg, whose older quarters retain much of their 17th-century roots. The long, narrow island of Langeland has plenty of fine sandy beaches and a wealth of cycle paths. A haven for the amateur bird watcher with a couple of sanctuaries located to the south, Langeland is dotted with farming villages and windmills and is characterised by a laid-back approach to life. Visit the bijou town of Tranekaer, whose striking salmon-coloured castle dates from 1200, and enjoy a traditional Danish meal at one of the local restaurants. Take a trek off the beaten track to visit Aero, an idyllic island with rolling hills and thatched houses. Popular with yachters, Aero is home to the enchanting little town of Aeroskobing that has been preserved in its entirety. Amble down narrow cobblestoned streets and admire the 17th-century houses and their decorative doorways.

Fertile in both history and landscape, the areas of Funen, Langeland and Aero offer a break from the norm. Take time to relax and explore the beauty and vitality of these islands whose homely ways and laid-back manner will warm the heart and refresh the spirit.

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