Day 1 (Sun) Arrival in Odense

Arrival in Odense, the "capital" of the island 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 2 (Mon) Odense to Svendborg 37 miles (can be reduced)

The cycling from 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 cycling may be shortened by taking the train halfway or more. On to Svendborg, perhaps the most attractive merchant town in Denmark. Two nights are spent here in a centrally located hotel.

Day 3 (Tue) Svendborg 10 miles

Day off in Svendborg. We suggest a roundtrip 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 from the nearby castle Valdemars Slot back to Svendborg. Or alternatively you may like to ride to the beaches just east of Svendborg?

Day 4 (Wed) Svendborg to Ærøskøbing 20 and 18 miles

The third day of bicycling takes you through Valdemars Slot, a castle dating back to the baroque period, idyllically situated by the sea and open to the public. The route continues through the fabled wood, Nørreskov and further over the bridge leading to Rudkøbing, a picturesque country town with beautiful town squares and old houses, on the island Langeland. Quiet lanes and byways take you on a short tour of the island Langeland before heading back to Rudkøbing where you catch the ferry to Marstal on the island of Ærø - a town reflecting its centuries old connection to trading and navigation. The route to Ærøskøbing, consisting of tracks and paths, takes you along the beach. The romantic town of Ærøskøbing is worthy of one of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales. Two overnight stays in the old part of town.

Day 5 (Thu) Ærøskøbing

Day off in Ærøskøbing. Why not spend the day exploring the many cobblestone streets with quaint shops and well preserved half-timbered houses? Or how about a swim at the beaches surrounding Ærøskøbing?

Day 6 (Fri) Ærøskøbing to Faaborg 11 and 16 miles

From Ærøskøbing over the hills to Søby with magnificent views and small beaches all the way along the coast. By ferry to Faaborg, a charming provincial town with narrow cobbled streets. You can either spend the day sightseeing in Faaborg or enjoy a bike ride in the hills north of town. A must in Faaborg is the small art museum with its exhibition of famous paintings from the beginning of the last century. If you still have not had enough of sailing, why not take a sailing trip through the southern Funen Archipelago on one of the old sailing ships. The hotel in Faaborg is located in the outskirts of town overlooking the sea.

Day 7 (Sat) Faaborg to Odense 28 miles

Todays route takes you over the Funen answer to the Alps and through the glacial landscape so typical for Denmark, dominated mainly by lakes, hills and valleys. Nearer to Odense the route continues on a path along the small Odense Å river. In Dalum you pass the open-air museum, Den Fynske Landsby, showing exhibits of peasant life through the centuries.

Day 8 (Sun) Depart from Odense

Departure after breakfast.