SEPT 2024 – DENMARK FAMILY TRIP (AARHUS – SKALLERUP – SKAGEN – COPENHAGEN)

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My little brother and his partner planned this family trip back in 2021 to celebrate a birthday and citizenship in 2024. It definitely took some co-ordination to bring everyone together, but we made it happen. Spending quality time in such a beautiful country with family was truly special. The trip was unforgettable—full of laughter, amazing food, plenty of drinks 🥴, relaxation, activities, scenic walks, and, of course, those incredibly hot saunas 🥵 with sauna masters. As my partner would say throughout the trip, ‘Very nice’ 😉.

I’ve organised this blog into sections for easy navigation. I hope you enjoy the content and, hopefully, get the chance to experience it all firsthand.

JOURNEY FROM UK TO SKALLERUP

The flight from Manchester to Copenhagen was just under two hours. From there, we took a train to Aarhus, which took about three hours—longer than the flight, but the trains were exceptionally comfortable, clean, and quiet. The service was well organised and punctual, making the journey a pleasant experience.

The next morning, we set off from Aarhus to Skallerup, a two-hour journey by road. Along the way, we made a delightful stop in Kolind at a charming family-run café for breakfast before continuing our trip to Skallerup.

ACCOMMODATION – SKALLERUP RESORT

The journey was smooth, and the weather was absolutely stunning for the time of year. We stayed in one of the larger accommodations since there were seven of us, and it offered plenty of space throughout. The outdoor decking had room for sunbeds, which were conveniently stored in a shed, and we definitely made good use of them given the unbelievably hot weather. The resort was just a five-minute walk to the coast and offered a wide range of amenities, including a spa, swimming pools with slides, a sports area, mini golf, an activity centre, a restaurant, shops, and more.

BY THE COAST

In the morning, I went for a walk along the coast with my little brother and his partner before we all gathered for breakfast, while I left my partner to enjoy a well-deserved lie-in.

After breakfast, we played a round of mini golf, taking advantage of the beautiful weather, before heading out for another walk along the coast. It turned out to be a much hotter day than we anticipated, and the 18-hole course took far longer than expected in the intense heat! 🥵

Congratulations to the winners, who had never played before! 😉

Finally, we took a longer walk along the coast before dinner. The coastline was breathtaking, with soft sandy beaches stretching out before us.

FOOD

Here’s a look at the variety of delicious foods we’ve been enjoying on this holiday. Most of these were for breakfast or daytime snacks. In the evenings, we indulged in lasagnes, pizzas, fresh fish, and salads made to order, which we took back to our accommodation to enjoy, accompanied by plenty of red wine and beer 🥴.

One evening, we had a special celebratory dinner to mark a birthday and citizenship. It was a curated tasting menu, paired with different wines for each course. We were so glad our accommodation wasn’t too far away—by the time we finished, we were all a bit sloshed and in fits of laughter. It was a truly enjoyable evening and an unforgettable experience, all thanks to my little brother and his partner.

ANIMAL FARM

One day, we decided to visit the animal farm, just a short walk from the resort. Along the way, we came across a nature assault course, which added some fun and kept us entertained as we made our way to the farm.

SPA SAUNA POOL DAY

Today was a relaxation day at the spa, where I enjoyed a soothing hot stone massage. After dinner, we unwound with a few drinks and some competitive games of pool. With rain forecasted for the day—our only chance of rain—we decided it was the perfect time to take it easy.

We began the day with a sea infusion, a sauna experience by the sea that lasts about 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes in the incredibly hot sauna, guided by a sauna master to ensure we got the full heat, we’d step out for a cold dip in the sea before returning to the sauna for the next round. I absolutely loved the experience, and it’s said to be great for the immune system. We enjoyed a few more sea infusions throughout the week 🥵.

The swimming pool area had a few fun water slides, including a side-by-side slide where we could race each other—such a great laugh! We also treated ourselves to a more intense sauna experience at the spa. The sauna was in a large room, dimly lit by candles on the floor, setting a serene mood. As the room darkened and theatrical music played, silence became key. A sauna master expertly waved and spun a towel, circulating the heat around the room, enveloping your body while filling the air with soothing oils. If you wanted more heat, you had to raise both palms above your head. My partner, not knowing why, was told to do this and, of course, followed along—he ended up getting a lot of heat and was absolutely sweltering by the end. It was hilarious! 🤣 The experience lasted about 15 minutes and was incredibly hot—definitely the hottest sauna I’ve ever been in, but I absolutely loved it. We enjoyed it so much, we went for another round. By the end of the day, we were all completely exhausted and had a peaceful night’s sleep.

LIGHTHOUSE WALK BY THE COAST

I have a deep love for lighthouses and castles, so I was thrilled to discover that there are many lighthouses nearby to explore. One day, we decided to walk from Skallerup Resort to the Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse along the stunning coastline. The lighthouse, nestled right by the shore, offered a breathtaking view. The walk was beautiful, with little elevation and plenty of refreshing sea air to enjoy along the way.

Total Distance: 5 Miles
Steps: ~19,000 Steps
Highest Point: 218 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~2 hours

This is the route we took.

The contrast of lush greenery against the coastline, with vibrant buildings and nature all around, was absolutely beautiful. As we approached, we could spot the lighthouse we were aiming for, though it turned out to be much farther away than it first appeared. The lighthouse stood stunningly on the shoreline, perched against the cliffs. The landscape transformed from lush greenery to a more desert-like terrain as we drew closer.

We walked from the lush seaside resort, with its greenery and coastline, to what felt like the Sahara Desert, where the lighthouse stood—such a surreal and unexpected change in landscape.

We’re almost at the Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse!

Here are some photos of the area, with markings showing where the lighthouse was originally located before it was moved.

There are several ways to reach the lighthouse. We took the coastal path on foot, but you can also drive to a nearby car park in Rubjerg Knude, where a tractor with a carriage offers transport to the lighthouse. This way, everyone can enjoy the stunning views from the lighthouse and explore the surrounding area.

My little brother’s partner drove to the area so we could have a lift back as it was getting late, accompanied by my partner. Together, we all enjoyed the tractor ride back to the lighthouse for one last look..

SKAGEN (pronounced “skane”)

We enjoyed a variety of activities in Skagen.

Grenen – Baltic Sea and the North Sea meets

First, we visited Grenen, where the Baltic Sea and the North Sea meet. There’s a transport service that takes you to the point where you can witness this unique convergence. You can even walk quite far into the area, feeling the waves from both seas coming in at once. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, made even more memorable by the beautiful weather.

Grenen – where the Baltic Sea and the North Sea meets

Fyr Lighthouse

As we were leaving Grenen, we made a stop at Fyr Lighthouse along the way. There are 205 steps leading to the top, and I loved how they’ve marked each step, so we didn’t have to count them ourselves!

The view from the top of the lighthouse was breathtaking, offering a sweeping panorama of the coastline and the sea.

Panoramic view from the top of the lighthouse

Nearby, two older lighthouses stood, each with a unique design and much smaller in size.

After a full day of exploring, we were ready for a meal, so we set out to find a cosy seafood restaurant by the coast. We stumbled upon a charming spot called Skagen Fiskerestaurant, nestled in a stunning location. The restaurant had a unique touch—sand as flooring, adding to its distinctive charm. The food was exceptionally fresh and exquisite. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit.

COPENHAGEN

We spent a night in Copenhagen as a birthday gift for my partner, who had never been there before. We took a leisurely stroll around the city to soak in the atmosphere and enjoyed a meal by the iconic Nyhavn Canal, with its colorful buildings lining the water. The area was lively and welcoming, a mix of locals and tourists savouring the food and each other’s company—truly a perfect taste of the Danish concept of hygge.

We ended on a high note with the most delightful, fluffy flødeboller from Summerbird.

CONCLUSION:

It was an incredible holiday with the family—such a rare and special time to relax, reconnect, and truly enjoy each other’s company. After all the waiting since COVID, it was the perfect escape. Thank you all for making it so unforgettable, I’ll always treasure the laughter and the memories we created together.

I hope you enjoyed the highlights and that you get the chance to explore the incredible places Denmark has to offer yourself.


GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • iPhone 15 Pro (taking photos and recording video, also used for contactless payments)
  • Halifax Clarity Mastercard (backup contactless payments made easier no fees)
  • Swimming costume (spa, sauna and swim)
  • Comfy walking shoes (most important)
  • ibuprofen (helping hand if you have any aches and pains)
  • Food and snacks (fuel to keep you going)

 

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