Historic Funen offers fruitful pickings

Coined the ‘garden of Denmark’, the island of Funen and its archipelago of southern islands Combines some of Denmark’s most stunning scenery of lush rolling pasture lands, steep cliff tops and wide sandy beaches with a fascinating array of historic sights and great family attractions.

At the heart of the island and literally surrounded by 11,000 kilometres of stunning coastline lies Funen’s only city, Odense (visitodense.com). Odense is one of the oldest cities in Denmark and birthplace to fairytale creator Han Christian Andersen, this university city is steeped in medieval beginnings, fairytale fantasy and modern attractions; Take a boat cruise on the Odense River (aafart.dk) to the open-air Den Fynske Landsby museum (http://museum.odense.dk/Den_Fynske_Landsby.aspx) with its impressive collection of ancient rural buildings and craftwork.

Discover what inspired one of the world’s most famous fairytale writers with a visit to the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (odmus.dk) and the interactive ‘Fyrtøjet’ (The Tinder Box) where children can immerse themselves his storytelling, drawing and music. Climb aboard the Danish Railway Museum for 10,000sqm of family train spotting (jernbanemuseum.dk) or take a more musical route to the Carl Nielsens Museum for an in-depth look at this famous composer’s life (museum.odense.dk/Carl_Nielsen.aspx).

For a shot of art, culture and coffee, head to the former textile factory Brandts Klædefabrik to check out its superb selection of galleries, cafés, cinemas and the city’s Museum of Photographic Art (brandts.dk) before retiring to one of the many and varied canal side bars and restaurants.

Relatively untouched by the outbreak of wars and various invasions, Funen’s fairytale feel doesn’t stop in Odense with over 120 beautifully preserved mansions, castles and palaces dotting the countryside. Don’t miss Denmark’s oldest medieval fortress of Nyborg Slot (museer-nyborg.dk) that housed the early seat of Danish parliament; King Christian IV’s lavishly furnished Valdemars Castle (valdemarsslot.dk) with its extensive grounds and fascinating Toy, Game, Trophy and Yachting museums; and, most impressive of all, Egeskov Slot (egeskov.com) - one of Europe’s most well preserved moated castles.

Rising out of water, this magnificent renaissance castle is equally stunning inside as it is out with a grand collection of antique furniture, paintings, old hunting trophies and 18th Century designed grounds. The castle is also home to five fascinating museums, including the Veteran Car Museum with an extensive collection of aircraft, cars and motorcycles, as well as an enthralling selection of mazes and arguably the most fairytale dolls' house in the world - Titania's Palace.

With so much coastline to be enjoyed, it’s not surprising to find that, in addition to all the long stretches of inviting beach, a number of the seaside towns are attractions in themselves.

Venture North of Nyborg to the idyllic market town and fishing village of Kerteminde (kerteminde-turist.dk) with its ancient 2nd-century BC burial ground, 10th century Viking ship, famous Danish painter Johannes Larsen Museum and the new sea-life centre Fjord & Bælt (fjord-baelt.dk) for getting up close and personal with small whales and other fascinating sea life.

Go west to the centuries old harbour of Assens for seafaring history and remarkably well-preserved collection of 18th and 19th century merchants houses. Take the scenic route to the picturesque village of Faaborg (visitfaaborg.dk) to climb the medieval clock tower with its far stretching coastal views, examine famous Danish works of art at the Faaborg Museum (faaborgmuseum.dk) and saviour luxurious furnishings in Den Gamle Gaard’s Roccoco Room (fkm.nu).

Travel south to discover Svendborg and its breath-taking archipelago. Conveniently linked by bridge to neighbouring islands Tåsinge and Langeland, with other islands easily accessible by boat, it’s the perfect base to start an island hopping adventure. Step back in time on the long established island of Ærø (visitaeroe.dk) with its picturesque tiny villages and ancient farms or completely go wild with a trip to one of the tiny islands only inhabited by birds.

Whilst being steeped in history, Funen’s pristine countryside and beaches also make it a favourite for family beach holidays and virtually anyone who relishes the great outdoors. Offering a multitude of water sports and sailing activities, holidaymakers can readily enjoy cruising the archipelago on one of the many traditional wooden schooners, teaching the family to sail a smack dinghy (smakkecenter.dk), whale-watching in the Little Belt, sea-kayaking to their own deserted island to picnic for the day, heading out on a seal safari or more simply swimming in some of the most pristine waters around.

And if splashing around in the water isn’t your thing, Funen must be any cyclist’s dream. With 1,175 km of signposted cycle trails stretching coast to coast and across the very gently undulating central plains, it is as if the island was specifically designed for cyclists of all abilities (cykelfyn.dk). Offering wide and many tarmac paths, with plenty of good rest areas along the trails, its short distances between the sea, city and child-friendly experiences make Funen ideal for family cycling holidays.

Working up an appetite on these ‘garden’ isles is certainly well rewarded. Regarded as one of the most plentiful areas in Denmark, its lush orchards, fields of freshly grown vegetables, locally farmed diary produce and fish plucked daily from the sea, ensure there is never a shortage of delicious produce to the grace tables of the many and varied local restaurants. Given the excellent array of organic, farm and specialty ingredients readily available, self-catering should certainly be an appetising alternative to those who prefer not to eat out.

With accommodation (visitfyn.com/accommodation) ranging from cabins to castles, there is something to suit all tastes and pockets. Choose from over 4000 holiday homes for a family beach holiday (novasol.co.uk), good quality holiday resorts (folkeferie.dk) or enjoy some of the best camping in Denmark with over 40 sites to choose from, including a number of exclusive 5 star campsites with everything from family waterparks to private Jacuzzis (dcu.dk). Or to get a better feel for Danish hospitality stay at a local’s B&B or play lord in one of the many manor houses. Whatever you do, you won’t be disappointed.

Getting there

DFDS Seaways offering a regular service of daily departures between Harwich and Esbjerg, in West Jutland with prices start from only £29 per person one way (dfds.co.uk). By air, Sterling has daily direct flights from Gatwick to Billund in Jutland from where it is only a 1 hours drive by car to Funen (sterling.dk for more details).

On arrival in Billund, Europcar offers car hire rates from £145 per week. To book (europcar.co.uk). Alternatively, Sterling operates direct daily flights from Gatwick and East Midlands Airport to Copenhagen and from here there are half hourly train services to Odense (rejseplanen.dk).

For more information on Funen, go to Visitfyn.com.

For additional information on Denmark see Visitdenmark.com.