Southern Funen
- through the Funen Archipelago

SUNDay 1 - 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. Clarion Hotel Plaza or similar.

MONDay 2 - 59 km/37 miles.   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. Two nights are spent here in a centrally located hotel. Hotel Svendborg or similar.

TUESDay 3 - 16 km/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 the next-door castle Valdemars Slot back to Svendborg. It will carry both you and your bike! Or how about a bike ride to the beaches just east of Svendborg? Hotel Svendborg or similar.

WEDNESDay 4 - 32 + 30 km/ 20 + 19 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 on the island Langeland. A picturesque country town with beautiful town squares and old houses. Quiet lanes and byways take you on a short tour of the island Langeland before heading back to Rudkøbing where you catch the ferryboat to Marstal on the island of Ærø - a town reflecting its century 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.
Hotel Aerohus or similar.

THURSDay 5   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?
Hotel Aerohus or similar.

FRIDay 6 - 17 + 27 km/ 11 + 17 miles.   From Ærøskøbing over the hills to Søby. Magnificent views and small beaches all the way along the coast. By ferry to Faaborg, another cosy old town with atmosphere in the 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 got 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 lokated in the outskirts of town overlooking the sea.
Quality Hotel Faaborg Fjord.

SATURDay 7 - 50 km/32 miles.   Today's 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 stream Odense Å. In Dalum you pass the open-air museum, Den Fynske Landsby, showing centuries of peasant life.
Clarion Hotel Plaza.

SUNDay 8   Departure from Odense after breakfast.