Discover enchanting facets of Denmark on a delightful, nine-night immersion in this stunning island nation! Experience the cozy feeling of well-being that Danes call “hygge” while exploring its cosmopolitan cities and small towns, from the colorful Nyhavn waterfront in Copenhagen to the intimate, 18th-century lanes of Ærøskøbing. Visit majestic Kronborg Castle, famed setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet; Egeskov Castle, a Renaissance gem; and stately Roskilde Cathedral. The Danish Viking Age comes alive as you study Jelling’s 10th-century, royal runic stones and the Viking Ship Museum’s seafaring vessels. In Odense, learn about Denmark’s most famous author at the Hans Christian Andersen House museum. Other engaging cultural excursions include the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the AroS Art Museum and Den Gamle By, an open-air museum. You’ll also bask in Denmark’s pastoral splendor! Appreciate charming towns and coastal vistas on tranquil Ærø Island, plus take in Denmark’s beautiful Lake District aboard a paddle steamer.
Trip Itinerary:
Copenhagen
Days 1 & 2
Arrive in Copenhagen, where you’ll be met by an AHI Travel representative for your transfer to the Scandic Palace Hotel. After getting settled, meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s Welcome Reception and Dinner in the hotel.
Copenhagen
Day 3
Start your day with an intriguing talk about Denmark's Viking history. Then, delight in cosmopolitan Copenhagen on a guided scenic/walking tour. See acclaimed sites including Amalienborg Palace, the royal family’s residence; the Gefion Fountain; Christianborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament; the Little Mermaid statue; and the celebrated Tivoli Gardens amusement park, where you’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the end of the trip. After lunch in the colorful Nyhavn canal district, savor more city views on a pleasant canal cruise.
Humlebaek | Helsingør | Copenhagen
Day 4
Today, visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art along lovely Niva Bay near Humlebaek. View modern and contemporary works inside interconnected spaces situated within a sculptural garden and park. Afterward, head to Helsingør and visit imposing Kronborg Castle, immortalized as Elsinore in William Shakespeare’s "Hamlet.” It served for centuries as a prominent stronghold at the narrowest point of the Øresund Sound between Denmark and Sweden. Return to Copenhagen for an evening at leisure.
Kværndrup | Svendborg | Ærøskøbing
Day 5
Check out of the hotel and traverse the Great Belt Bridge on your journey to Kværndrup. Marvel at Egeskov Castle, one of northern Europe’s most splendid, moated Renaissance castles on a guided tour. Completed in 1554, the castle features stately, hedged gardens that you’ll visit. After free time for lunch in Svendborg, board a ferry and cross the South Funen Archipelago to Ærø Island. Check in to the Hotel Ærøhus in Ærøskøbing. This evening, take an entertaining evening stroll along Ærøskøbing’s enchanting lanes with your guide who recreates the role of a Night Watchman. Learn about the night watch and its traditions as well as the town’s history, architecture and customs.
Ærø Island | Ærøskøbing
Day 6
Set off to explore this tiny island known for its quiet natural splendor. Travel to Marstal to appreciate its maritime character, then stop for a tour, tasting and lunch at a microbrewery. Continue along quiet countryside roads and through charming towns to Voderup Klint, terraced cliffs that offer gorgeous views of the Baltic Sea. Head back to Ærøskøbing for a visit to a fascinating little museum of model ships in bottles. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure for your own explorations.
Svendborg | Odense | Jelling | Aarhus
Day 7
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and board a ferry that transports you to Svendborg. Travel by motor coach to Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Delve into the life story, creative process and literary works of Odense’s most famous son during a visit to Hans Christian Anderson’s House, an engaging museum complex that includes Anderson’s childhood home. Next, continue to Jelling for a tour. One of Denmark’s most important sites, the monument area of Jelling features two burial mounds, a historic church and the 10th-century Viking runestones that testify to Denmark’s origins as a nation and its transition to Christianity. After your visit, head to Aarhus and check in to the Comwell Aarhus — Dolce by Wyndham.
Aarhus
Day 8
Join a local expert for an engaging look at Denmark's place in contemporary Nordic culture. Later, admire the AroS Art Museum's eclectic art and the rainbow panorama of its multicolored rooftop walkway. Then, travel through time at Den Gamle By, or The Old Town, an exceptionally detailed open-air museum in the Aarhus Botanical Gardens that brings to life different historical eras. Enjoy lunch with your group before free time to meander the grounds on your own.
Silkeborg | Himmelbjerget | Aarhus
Day 9
Silkeborg sits amid the forests, lakes and rivers of Søhøjlandet, Denmark’s serene Lake District. Enjoy a guided walk in its vibrant downtown and visit the Silkeborg Museum, home to the remarkably well-preserved Tollund Man and Elling Woman from the fifth century B.C., discovered in nearby peat bogs. Savor a lunch of traditional sandwiches in Silkeborg, and then relish a relaxing ride aboard the world’s oldest coal-fired paddle steamer across several lakes to Himmelbjerget, or Sky Mountain. Gaze across the breathtaking scenery from this natural point 482 feet above sea level. Stop for a coffee in charming Ry on your way back to Aarhus.
Odden | Roskilde | Copenhagen
Day 10
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off on a ferry ride to Odden. Upon arrival, depart by motor coach for Roskilde. At the informative Viking Ship Museum, view five original Viking ships recovered from Roskilde Fjord as well as several reconstructed vessels. After some free time for lunch on your own in Roskilde, enjoy a guided tour of Roskilde Cathedral, Scandinavia’s first Gothic brick cathedral. This magnificent church has been the official burial place of Danish kings and queens since the late 1500s. Continue to Copenhagen and check in to the Scandic Palace Hotel. Gather later for a wonderful Farewell Dinner at Tivoli Gardens!
Depart for gateway city
Day 11
After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and depart for the Copenhagen airport for your return flight home.
NOTE: Itinerary may change due to local conditions.
Map:
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