Northern delights for the family this summer

Sterling Airlines, the largest low cost carrier in Scandinavia, recently launched a new low-cost route from London Gatwick to Aalborg - the capital of Northern Jutland, with one daily departure excluding Saturday.

For families who are busy saving the pennies, it couldn’t be an easier or a more cost effective break with low cost direct flights starting from as little as £25 including all taxes and charges. Aalborg is the perfect base for exploring Northern Jutland for a fun packed family summer holiday.

Family life is top of the agenda in Denmark and the summer sees hordes of families heading to Northern Jutland to kick back, relax and escape from the pressures of everyday life. Why Northern Jutland you may ask? The answer is simple. White beaches, gentle turquoise east coast seas, and some of the best family attractions in Denmark, makes North Jutland the summer destination for 2007.

Where to stay?
Staying in a Beach House or a cottage on the coast is a staple in the summer diary for a Danish family. West Jutland with the rougher Kattegat sea is traditionally popular; however the East Coast – or as locals call it, ‘The Mild Coast’ is growing in popularity. The area boasts the second-biggest concentration of holiday houses in Denmark and is truly perfect for families. The sea is mild, the temperature warm, and the inland landscape is varied with deep forests, pastures and moors.

There are summer rental houses for everyone, from traditional cottages circa 1950, to architectural wonders from acclaimed Aalborg architect Michel Morell michaelmorell.dk. These exclusive summer retreats are located in Merkurvej (Danish for Mercury – Roman god of travelllers) and offer families luxurious accommodation with a modern timeless feel, which blend in seamlessly with Danish countryside. For more information on renting a family beach cottage this summer visit denmarkcottages.co.uk.

What to do?
Staying on Jutland’s east coast makes the perfect base for discovering the charms of Northern Jutland. Head to Bisnap Beach – recently voted the best beach in Denmark - located on the East Coast – and explore its natural lagoons and wide sandy beaches. For a day out, head to the tip of Jutland, Skagen, an hour away from Aalborg – famed for its wild landscape and unique light. Alternately, you can reach the west coast in under an hour, as can Rold Forest and Mariager.

Only 30 minutes away is Denmark’s fourth largest city, Aalborg, that will keep even the hardened city slicker happy with its tourist attractions, food markets, world-class restaurants and designer boutiques. Kids will be kept occupied with attractions such as a medieval underground friary, petting farms, Svømmerland indoor waterpark, and a giant indoor funcentre and ballpark called Jumboland!

To keep the kids really amused take a day to enjoy the following local attractions:

Faarup Sommerland (Amusement park) faarupsommerland.dk - A huge children’s theme park for all the family that will certainly keep everyone amused all day. Rollercoaster’s, horse riding and barbeque areas that are hot and ready to use for families who bring their own food, are some of the many attractions.

NordSøMuseet (Aquarium) nordsoemuseet.dk - This North Sea Museum is truly educational and an experience for the whole family. Home to the largest oceanarium in Northern Europe, this area is designed to allow fish to act naturally and school at depths that they descend to in their natural habitat. A visit to the museum lab is a must where children can get up close to various creatures and even pet them.

Jesperhus (Flower park) – blomster.jesperhus.dk is the largest flower park in Scandinavia. Divided into three parts, the park has a garden that holds more than 1 million flowers, a tropical zoo and an amusement park with four different areas that includes a 3D cinema, a jungle walk – only for the bravest of children! - motorbikes, sandpits, petting farms and merry go rounds.

Lindholm Høje - nordjyllandshistoriskemuseum.dk is recognised as Scandinavia’s largest Viking burial ground dating back to the 4th – 11th Centuries. North of the burial site was the village, where houses, fences, wells and cooking sites have all been found preserved by sanddrifts. A visit to Lindholm Hoje museum will tell you about the life of the people of Lindjeholm and will be a truly educational visit for all the family!