Family holiday in Denmark

[efmach]

We would like to take our three children (9, 6 and 3) to Denmark for a holiday next summer.
Has anyone got any good experiences to share? Not too keen on camping, would prefer to self-cater if possible.
Thanks E

[RosieT]

We visited Denmark about 18 months ago with a (nearly) 3-year-old ? he still talks about it. We flew from Stanstead to Aarhus in Djursland (a peninsula, surrounded on 3 sides by a shallow, clear blue-green sea) visited quite a bit by Germans and Danes, but little-known otherwise. It's a low-key kind of area, fairly flat & reminded me a lot of Lincolnshire where I grew up. V child-friendly, lots of castles, a nice wildlife park, a rainforest exhibit under a dome and the best sea-life centre I've ever been to a little way up the coast. Ebeltoft where we stayed was a bit touristy, but not in a tacky way. It's very evident that the Danes have a lot of respect for nature and the environment. We went in early Sept, which was perhaps a bit of a mistake; the Danes all take their holidays in July when the weather tends to be better (although they can get quite a bit of rain at any time) and many of the tourist things are closing down by the beginning of Sept. There was a theme park in the area, but we didn't get to it. We really liked it, but we like low-key kind of hols without much razzamatazz.
Check out the Danish Tourist Board for accommodation ? lots of self-catering options in the area & shopping very easy.

[janh]

hi, efmach. We spent a few days in Denmark this summer on the end of a holiday in Sweden - we drove via Malmo across the enormous bridge to Copenhagen, had a whole day in Copenhagen which is lovely (but almost impossible to get out of, the road signs are rubbish, they must want you to stay) and then drove about halfway across. The countryside along the way was a bit flat and boring.

We then camped (so no help there) for 2 nights and spent the middle day at Legoland, Billund which is fabulous. It helped that the weather was perfect, and also that it was the 3rd week of August when Scandinavian children have gone back to school so it wasn't too crowded, but it was one of the best days out we have ever had - our 2 boys (14 and 9) had a marvellous time. I didn't hear a single child crying all day, there was no litter and the meal we had at one of the restaurants (Pizza and Pasta I think) was superb.

We travelled to Sweden with the car on DFDS ferries, 24 hours each way, which was a nice way to start and finish, but I think if you flew with eg Ryanair and then hired a car it would probably be cheaper.

As Rosie says they are dead keen on environmental issues and, for example, in Copenhagen bikes are everywhere and even take priority over pedestrians apparently (ie I was nearly knocked down by one crossing on a green light!)

[MalmoMum]

Try bridge travel, though I haven't their web address. You shold be able to fine something low key but nice. There are various hiliday villages which can be nicely set out. I'VE had some great meals in Danemark and there is quite a lot to see and do if you like cycling and a bit of fresh air.

The main holidays are june/july. It is a pretty flat country with a good standard of living and a willingness to speak english. Life over here is so safe too. self catering sounds like a good idea.