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We spent some time around the island of Fyn on our way to Kiel, Germany. Much of Denmark is on the western peninsula Jutland, including the sailmaker we visited at Åbenrå. Copenhagen is on an island on the east of the country, Sjælland.
One thing that we find striking about Denmark, even more so than Norway or Sweden, is the infrastructure established for bicycles and pedestrians. In every town we visit, there are extensive sidewalks and bicycle lanes. We walked several kilometers in one town along a highway, but we realized when we reached our destination that a pedestrian path and bicycle lanes paralleled the highway. The trip back, along the path, was quiet and surrounded by foliage.
Besides the abundance of trails, we think that several factors contribute to the use of bikes instead of cars in Denmark.
In Europe, gasoline costs three to four times its price in the US.
Danish cars include a special tax of 180% over the purchase price of the car. A $20,000 car would thus have a $36,000 tax. If your employer buys you a car, you pay Denmark's high income tax on the benefit, including the taxes. These taxes are in addition to the standard value-added tax of 25% on all purchases, including cars.
While Sweden and Norway are hilly and not as friendly to bikers or walkers, Denmark is flatter.
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We needed to have the sailmaker adjust our sails, so we took a trip to their facility in Åbenrå. We enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the facility. Sailmakers have to keep up with the changing technologies of materials and design. In this photo, they are sewing a sun cover on our genoa. |
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One challenge for sailmakers is buying; they have to acquire the newest fabrics in enough volume to ensure their availability for customers, but not so much as to have too much on hand when even newer fabrics come out. |
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Den Gamle Gaard was built in 1725 and has been a museum since 1932. The furnishings and other items in the rooms provide a sense of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. |
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Built in the 16th century, Egeskov is a
genuine castle built on a lake and surrounded by a moat. Its name (Oak
Wood) probably derives from the oak pilings on which the castle stands. |
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Our friends Søren and Tine met us in Fåborg and we all went to dinner at a manor-turned-retreat called Steensgaard Herregårdspension. The manor dates back to the 14th century, surrounded by 24 acres of parkland, including a game preserve and wild boar pen (which contributed to a sausage appetizer at dinner.) As you can see from the photos, the dining room is exquisite and the surroundings serene. We enjoyed the three-course meal (a five-course version is available), which included a sweetbreads appetizer (not counted as a course), rabbit served on a bed of vegetables or tuna carpaccio for a starter, baked halibut served on a base of artichokes or lamb chops served on French green beans. All of us selected the dessert of apricots baked in pastry and served with fresh raspberries and sorbet. We no longer needed to worry that we would leave Denmark with too much Danish money. |
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We
visited Fåborg on the island of Fyn. Part of the town's original
church, founded in about 1250, the belfry was built in the 1400s.
As
we saw in Ebeltoft, the watchman comes out and sings that all is well.
This watchman also gives a tour of the town, in Danish.
Built
during a time of unrest, the castle was intended to be impenetrable.
Today, the current owners (a Count and his family) live in the castle,
but allow the public to enjoy its beauty and history inside the
buildings and on the grounds. Besides the castle itself, visitors can go
through mazes, walk along tree top bridges, and look at museums
including an agricultural museum, and collections of cars, motorcycles,
fire engines and ambulances. The castle's web site is 
