Green Islands of Denmark

Day 1 Sunday: Arrival in Copenhagen.

Arrival in Copenhagen any time during the day. All major sights are within walking distance of the hotel. How about a stroll down Strøget, the long pedestrian street? Not forgetting the side streets of course. Here you will find the medieval part of Copenhagen as well as many excellent restaurants. Do also try a trip on the canals by boat. This is the best way to enjoy the combination of the old warehouses along the canals and the new architecture along the harbour front.

Day 2 Monday: Copenhagen to Roskilde, 29 miles (46km).

Ahead of you on the first day of cycling lies a pleasant ride out of Copenhagen (on cycle paths) towards Roskilde. Most of the day you will be riding on paths along the many harbours south of Copenhagen. You will spend the night in the centre of Roskilde. This very cosy town used to be the former Danish capital and in the large cathedral the kings and queens of Denmark are buried. The Vikings lived at Roskilde and their ships can still be seen here.

Day 3 Tuesday: Roskilde to Ringsted, 33 miles (53km).

Continue in the foot steps of history, passing a Late Stone-Age grave at Øm and Bronze-Age remains on the way south. The route runs quietly through farm land and forests to a beautifully located former manor house near Ringsted. In these wonderful surroundings you will stay the third night.

Day 4 Wednesday: Ringsted to Nyborg, 34 miles (55km).

Heading towards the port town Korsør it is possible to visit an excavated Viking fortress at Trelleborg. Then take the train (10 minutes) across the Great Belt to Nyborg. Once on the island of Funen, your hotel is only a short bike ride away. The hotel is located on the beach, an excellent spot for a dip!

Day 5 Thursday: Nyborg to Odense, 34 miles (54km).

Heading north from Nyborg you will reach the cosy fishing town of Kerteminde. Further on, do visit the Viking Ship Burial Site at Ladby. Via the Hindsholm peninsular into Odense, the "capital" of the island of Funen and the birthplace of the fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. In Odense you will find a wide range of museums and attractions, old as well as new. These will all be within walking distance of your hotel.

Day 6 Friday: Odense to Svendborg, 37 miles (59km).

The biking out of Odense is on bike paths and quiet roads. On your way south visit the unique medieval castle, Egeskov, built on thousands of oak trunks in the middle of a lake. The day may be shortened by taking the train halfway or more. On to Svendborg, perhaps the most attractive merchant town in Denmark. Here you have two nights at a centrally located hotel.

Day 7 Saturday: Svendborg, 10 or 21 miles (16 or 34km).

We have two suggestions for roundtrips in the area.

Route 1, 10 miles (16 km). Bike to the neighbouring island Taasinge and the old poetic village Troense with its many well-kept thatched houses. A veteran ferry runs from Troense or the next-door castle Valdemars Slot back to Svendborg. It will carry both you and your bike!

Route 2, 21 miles (34 km). Take the ferry from Svendborg to the picturesque town Ærøskøbing on the island Ærø (ferry ticket included in tour price). The romantic town of Ærøskøbing is worthy of one of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales! It is easy to forget time whilst exploring the many cobblestone streets with quaint shops and well preserved half-timbered houses. But do leave yourself enough time for a lovely bike ride north of town. Magnificent views and small beaches all the way along the coast and then a peaceful inland route back to the ferry. Enjoy the ferry ride through the southern Funen Archipelago back to Svendborg.

Day 8 Sunday: Depart from Svendborg.

Departure after breakfast.