Danish Sisterhood of America
Denmark Trip 2024: Beautiful East Jutland
September 10-21, 2024
Aarhus – The City of Smiles. (3 nights)
This year the tour will begin in Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, also known as “The City of Smiles.” We’ll spend the first three nights at Scandic Aarhus City, a four-star hotel right in the center of town, close to the shopping street, the cathedral, The Old Town, AROS Museum, the harbor, and Salling Roof Top.
The Old Town (Den Gamle By) is an open air town museum. It’s newest exhibition includes “welfare and open-mindedness from 1950-1974, a time characterized by feminism, free thinking and experiments with new ways of living. AROS Museum is one of the largest art museum in northern Europe and is the most frequented art museum in Scandinavia. It has been awarded two Michelin stars in its tourism guide.
In addition, we’ll meet pop/rock icon Poul Krebs, who has twenty-five albums in his bag, at Aarhus Sports Academy in Risskov, where we’ll get a short tour and a meal.
Also on the Aarhus program is the magnificent Moesgaard Museum that stands out as one of Denmark’s finest museums dedicated to archaeology and ethnography. Well known is the Grauballe Man, whose body dates back to the third century BC.
Inviting shopping opportunities are just around the corner of the hotel.
On our way from Aarhus to Silkeborg we’ll swing by the HQ of one of the biggest retail successes in modern Danish history, namely “JYSK”, formerly known as Jysk Sengetøjslager and meet the current CEO, Jan Bøgh.
Read more here:
www.scandichotels.com/hotels/denmark/aarhus
Silkeborg - located in the Highlands of Lakes (2 nights)
The first stop before arriving in Silkeborg will be the, for Danes, famous Himmelbjerget (Sky Mountain), a hilltop of 482 ft, one of the highest natural points in Denmark. It has beautiful nature, panoramic views and an old watch tower. By the way, according to Nordic mythology the god Heimdal lives on top of Himmelbjerget. Lunch on your own here.
The bus will take us down to the lake and Hjejlen, the oldest operative steamer in the world. It will sail us through beautiful nature to Silkeborg.
There will be time to visit the Asger Jorn Museum, which is the home of the most comprehensive collection of his works, but also thousands of other paintings, and sculptures of other artists. Jorn’s “Stalingrad” will make an impact on most people.
A visit to Grauballe Brewery is a nice little touch to acknowledge the vast number of local craft breweries that pop up all over Denmark. The brew master will take us on a tour of the small company and we’ll taste up to eight samples. We’ll stay at Scandic Hotel Silkeborg for two nights. It is located near pastoral nature and Long Lake. The breakfast is outstanding and we’ll have two delicious dinners there as well. The lobby has a nice bar, a pool is close by and feel free to work-out. Shopping options.
www.museumjorn.dkwww.grauballe-bryghus.dk
www.scandichotels.com/hotels/denmark/silkeborg
Randers Rain Forest
On our way from Silkeborg to Hotel Amerika outside Hobro, we’ll swing by Randers Rain Forest. It is a tropical zoo located in three big domes for kids of all ages, and we’ll meet lemurs, snakes and other wildlife from three continents in this unique living ecosystem undergoing constant change. On a rainy and gray day we’ll pay Memphis Mansion a visit. A place for Elvis and Johnny Cash fans. If it doesn’t rain the bus will take us to the outdoor Fyrkat Viking Fortress, dating back to 980 AD. The fortress was built by King Harald Bluetooth.
Hvidsten Kro (Inn) is from 1634, a Privileged Royal Inn that has now been in the same family for almost 150 years. It has a long history and in modern times it is mainly know for the Hvidsten Group that during the Nazi occupation of Denmark consisted of bold and brave freedom fighters, who made life very difficult for the invaders. Historian Poul S. Andersen will guide us through the museum and put some of the gruesome history of the famous inn into perspective. Lunch will be served.
Hotel Amerika (2 nights)
We’ll enjoy a mini vacation at Hotel Amerika near Hobro located in beautiful and scenic surroundings and inhale the fresh air that nature provides. Two delicious dinners will satisfy anyone. Walkable distance to the fjord and wood, if you want a little extra exercise.
www.nordjyskemuseer.dk/u/vikingemuseet-fyrkat/
www.nordjyskemuseer.dk/vikingemuseet-fyrkat
Sostrup Slot – castle and convent (2 nights)
This castle has a colorful history with many contrasts. It has been owned by counts and dukes, by cool ladies and quiet nuns. At Sostrup, you will feel it all, from extravaganza to quietness. The innkeeper has promised to give us a tour of the old castle and tell stories about the ghosts that you may meet if you decide to walk around on your own after midnight.
Two wonderful dinners are already waiting for us. Today, the castle is owned by a Danish American woman, living in California.
We’ll make a day trip to Mols National Park, Kalø Slotsruin (a 700-year old ruined castle), and Slettehage Lighthouse from 1872 and appreciate the beauty that nature can bring. If time allows to, we’ll visit Kalø Language Folk School as well.
Ebeltoft (2 nights)
Last, but not least. The final stop on the tour is the absolutely quaint and lovely town of Ebeltoft, where several streets have toppled stone and very old houses.
A visit to the old city hall from 1789 is a must, and so is a visit to the old warship Fregatten Jylland. Ebeltoft Glass Museum is outstanding and here we will meet world class glass artist Janusz Walentynowicz, formerly Clinton, IL, now Skagen. An interesting visit to the European Film College is in the works and shopping in this fabulous town is a must, including a visit to the old malt factory.
Tremendous dinners are planned at Strandkroen (Beach Tavern) on Egsmark Strand and at Karen’s Kitchen on the harbor.
Accommodation and nice breakfasts at Ebeltoft Park Hotel.
About Your Guide
Let me briefly introduce myself. I am Sune Frederiksen, born in Skanderborg, grew up in Brønderslev and came to America on a permanent basis in 1995. I have a colorful background that includes education, restaurant and gallery ownership, real estate, coaching and lots of non-profit organizational involvement.
Apart from my own journeys over the years, I have worked for Tjaereborg Studio, taken dancers and musicians from Denmark to the US via DGI (Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association), arranged numerous tours to DK for American dancers, musicians, educators, and since 2001 been a main contact and liaison for DGI’s World Tour Performance Team and facilitated several performances, workshops and training camps for them. In addition, I have been on the Rebild board for nine years, including two years as VP and a three-time convention chair. I also serve on the Danish American Heritage Society’s board of directors. In general, I have supported many Danish American activities over the years.
It is an honor for me to be involved with the Danish Sisterhood of America, and I have enjoyed the many conversations I have had the past few months.
When planning a trip to Denmark, especially for people, who have been there before, it can be a challenge not to offer one or two locations, people haven’t visited before due to the size of the Old Land. It is my hope that new angles and a twist here and there, will make it exciting and worthwhile nevertheless.
Pricing:
Price for the 12 day guided Beautiful East Jutland tour with a minimum of 40 participants is $3,000 (per person – member price).
Maximum of 50 participants
Prices are based on double occupancy. There will be an additional charge of $250 for non-members and an additional charge of $600 for a single room.
Please note price DOES NOT include airfare portion of the trip.
Deposit of $1,000.00 per person is due at the time of booking.
Deadline for booking is April 1, 2024.
All final payments and additional fees (for non-members and single room) are due by June 1, 2024.
Refund policy:
- Refund cancellation prior to April 1, 2024: $750.00
- Between April 1 and May 31: $500.00
- After June 1, 2024, NO Refund
*If your place can be filled from the waiting list, $500 will be refunded to you.
Price is subject to change at the time of the final payment date. The Denmark Tour is based on the exchange rate of 7 Dkk.
To book your tour or for more information please contact:
Karen Vig-Keathly, National Trustee
708-715-0071