Danish Sisterhood of America
National Trips
Check back soon for information on our next trip tentatively planned for 2026!
Past National Trips
2024
2022: Submitted by Carol Rudisill
The Denmark Trip of 2022 was such a happy experience for everyone! We had all been very disappointed that the 2020 trip had been canceled due to the Covid 19 pandemic. It was a joy to be able to travel again!
We began our tour with three days in Copenhagen. We were able to visit many of the landmarks we have all heard so much about: The Little Mermaid, Amielienborg Palace where Royal Family has their residence, Tivoli, Grundvig’s church, and a most wonderful tour of the Copenhagen City Hall.
From Copenhagen we embarked on our tour of the Schleswig-Holstein area of Denmark and sometimes Germany. We were able to tour Frederiksborg Castle and see the royal gardens that were amazing!
We then learned about the Dannewerk fortifications that were built to protect the area during the nSchleswig-Holstein War. The wars that were fought over the Schleswig-Holstein area were hard-fought and bloody. Both Denmark and Germany wanted the area as part of their country. When the Germans would win the war the Danes were forbidden to speak Danish, or celebrate Danish traditions. The Heritage of the Danish people was nearly erased. Then the Danes would win the war and they were able to recognize their heritage once again.
We stayed in some beautiful hotels and had marvelous food. A couple nights we were right on the water. We stayed in a hotel in Flensburg that was very close to a canal that ran through town. It was quite charming.
Another town we visited was Møgeltønder, which is known for its picturesque main street and a 12th century church. Near Sønderborg we were able to stand with one foot in Denmark and one foot in Germany.
We visited Faaborg Kirkeballe- a very old church with a maze in the front. (a picture of this was on the cover of one of our Danish Sisterhood News)
One afternoon we took a ferry to Bjørnø By which is an island near Sonderborg. We were able to explore this little island and saw one of the most unique “room rentals” I have ever seen. It was a tree house with a ladder to enter. This was also the first place I had ever heard of black licorice ice cream. Which, by the way, was WONDERFUL!
Another little town we were able to explore was Nyborg. This little town was centered around a little lake. There were many homes that were thatched houses. We had a lovely frickadiller lunch at one of the little restaurants.
The best part about this trip was the fact that we were able to share traveling with fifty other Danes from America. We saw and learned part of Denmark’s history that I didn’t know enough about. It was great to learn every day! Every meal we had was great traditional food-open faced sandwiches, pork with crackling, sugared potatoes, and so much more. It’s great to go to places that are not on the main roads. Because of that we were able to talk to locals and enjoy the “real” Denmark, not just the touristy parts.
2018: Submitted by Carol Rudisill
In the fall of 2018 my husband and I participated in the tour of Denmark sponsored by the Danish Sisterhood in America. We went knowing only one couple from Iowa, but it didn’t take long to develop friendships. On the bus we talked, sang, and were treated to an enjoyable dialogue from our tour guide about all the things we were seeing. During stretch breaks off the road we were treated to coffee, juice, schnapps, or beer along with a snack most times.
Our first evening was a dinner and the introduction of our tour guide Benedikte Eihlers at a lovely restaurant in Copenhagen. The following morning we left Copenhagen for Frederikshavn where we spent the night and prepared for a ferry to Samso. Samso is a relatively small island off the west coast of Denmark. Samso is also where the Samso Energy Academy is located. Samso is a place where green energy is studied and nearly 100% of the island is running on only the green energy of wind and solar. We were able to attend a lecture on this process of study that was indeed inspiring.
While on Samso we also were able to stop at a silversmith’s store and workshop. This jeweler created different pieces for the Queen of Denmark to wear. It was interesting to see her work and many purchased some of her jewelry.
We also took a ferry to Laeso. Laeso is a smaller island that is known for its salt. The ground water is quite close to the surface and is brought into a small building where the water is put into troughs and a fire is constantly fed so that the water is evaporated and salt is left behind. It is not like our table salt, but flakes that are flat. This is the only place that makes this salt and products including licorice, porcelain bowls to hold the salt with little spoons to use to gather it from the bowl, and many other items. We were also introduced to Salty Carmel liquor cordial. So good! That evening we were treated to people from the isand presenting the women’s history of Laeso. The men living there were fishermen and were often gone for long periods of time. The women were left at home to work the gardens, raise the children, and keep the town running. They told us about their historical clothing and some of the meanings of what they wore.
From this stop we continued on through Sweden and stopped in Ystad. Ystad is a very old section of Malmo. We were all able to explore and shop this are on our own.
We then took another ferry to Bornholm. Bornholm is a large island off the southern tip of Sweden. It is the farthest east and southern most point of any of the Danish islands. This was probably the most fierce ocean travel I have ever done! We rocked from side to side and many people had difficulty walking anywhere. They actually took out a HUGE old ferry that is only used in bad weather. It was indeed an unusual crossing to Bornholm, but once there we had a wonderful time. The town had many shops and places of interest. We had a day of individual exploration. I loved the glass blowing demonstration, the candy making demonstration, and the wonderful smoked fish. While on Bornholm we were able to see one of the noldest round churches built around 1350. We also toured the Hammershus Castle which is now a ruin.
While on Bornholm we took another short ferry from Gudhjem to Christianso and Frederikso which is part of the Ertholomene – or archipelago- off Bornholm. As we were leaving, there was a group of townspeople singing and playing music to “see us off”. These are both very old towns/cities that are a must see living history. The buildings were quite old and the restaurant made us the most wonderful meal. We were able to explore both of the two towns on our own.
Some of the best parts of the Denmark trip are the opportunities we have to learn and see the history of many different parts of Denmark. Meeting people around the country and getting to talk to them are a high light. Even though I had been to Denmark several other times, it was fun seeing it with others who love Denmark and the wonderful traditions and heritage we all care about.
2014: Submitted by Bente and Lars Rasmussen
The first DSS Danmark Tour in 2014 was an extensive roundtrip of Denmark. We got introduced to our fantastic tour guide Benedikte Ehlers with a three days tour of Copenhagen and up along the coast to Helsingør. Over the next week we tour 1000 miles around Denmark.
Our bus took us to Jutland started with the experience of staying on castles, manor houses, old inn (many times no elevators) and newer hotels. The most amazing experience was the stay at those old places, where you 40 years ago were not able to visit, except if you had connections to the family that lived there. Our living quarters were rooms in the castle, and sometimes named after the people who had lived there. The great experience was to have 3 course table cloth candle light dinner and wine in the grand dining rooms followed by evening coffee with sweets in the salons. You did take over the place for a moment. The newer hotels gave us the contrast of the today’s world of living.
We were also able to participate in the 4th of July Rebild Fest and experience the Danish-American Fellowship, where we met with the US Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford. In Copenhagen area we visited Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Museum, Copenhagen Town Hall, Karen Blixen Museum, The little Muermaid, In Jutland we visited Himmelbjerget, Skagen Museum, Grenen (the north point of Denmark), Ribe- the oldest town in Denmark, Christianfelt, Skamlingsbanken -border to Germany 1864-1920, the Jelling Runic Stones (The birth certificate of Christianity in Denmark.) and a number of churches that are all part of Danish history.
Benedikte Ehlers made this tour more personal than anyone could expect. She opened up her home near Silkeborg for our group with wine and cheese, and she told her family’s relation to the place that was built in 1918 by her great grandfather, who was Mayor of Copenhagen for 28 years. She grew up on Rømø, and she showed us the island with the old family farm that was just getting a new thatch roof, where her sister served old fashion afternoon coffee with home baked kringle.
This was a tour of our lifetime. We saw so much of Denmark, Danish culture and unique places. Even though we grew up in Denmark, the experience was fascinating.