When Jules Verne's characters in the book "Journey to the Center of the Earth" reach the center of the earth, a fantastic world opens up to them. We experienced something very similar, but different (in Thailand they say "same, same but different"), during our summer family vacation in Lolland-Falster, Denmark. The offer in this beautiful part of Denmark of both exciting and relaxing leisure activities is huge. Too big to pack into so little vacation (one week). This much is spoiled: We will be back!
Sunbathing in the Baltic Sea resort Marielyst
9 a.m., 25 degrees - We have the beach completely to ourselves. The already warmed sand caresses our feet. While we parents make ourselves comfortable, the children are unstoppable. The clothes fly around our ears and Mads (9) and Leonard (6) jump into the crystal clear and glassy Baltic Sea water.
The tranquil town of Marielyst on the coast of the Danish island of Falster is the perfect place for a beach vacation in Denmark. More than 20 kilometers of white sandy beach, lined with wild dunes, invite you to sunbathe and swim. The shallow, clear water on the easily manageable beach is ideal especially for families with small children. Not for nothing Marielyst has been awarded several times as the most beautiful beach in Denmark.
Just under 800 people live here permanently. In the summer, up to 50,000 vacationers come to stay in the town's approximately 7,500 vacation homes. Therefore, it is worthwhile to rent one of the beautiful vacation homes only after the end of the Danish summer vacations. While the pupils in Denmark already again the school bench press, have most German Lands of the Federal Republic still some weeks vacations. And so the situation in Lolland-Falster relaxes. And early risers, like us, have the beach to themselves. Wonderful!
Excursion possibilities without end
Not only Marielyst, but all of Lolland-Falster is a real tourist magnet. In 2019, the year before Corona, the region records record numbers. More than 700,000 guest nights are counted in the summer season alone. This is also reflected in the great variety of leisure activities that the area offers. A big advantage of this is if you are here with children: everything is very close together here. In fact, nothing is more than an hour's drive away from each other.
Especially suitable for families is the Knuthenborg Safari Park. It is located near the small town of Maribo, very central on the island of Lolland. The largest safari and adventure park in Northern Europe is a mixture of safari park, fossil museum, outdoor adventure park and huge water playground with one of the steepest white water rides in Europe. Time flies when you explore the huge park in your own car. The children can't get enough of the many animals. Tigers, giraffes, elephants, monkeys - quite a few animal species are admired. The animals decide for themselves when they want to be seen or when they want to retreat: they don't stand in small enclosures as if on display. A beautiful concept.
There's plenty to see in the park - even when the animals are a bit shy. A superbly staged prehistoric fossil collection elicits a few "Ahs and Ohs" from the kids. The highlight is "Big Joe" - the first and only skeleton of a predatory dinosaur from the Jurassic period (about 155 million years ago), which is on permanent display in Denmark. Impressive. After so much excitement, the "Congo Splash" whitewater ride and the large water playground will cool you down. The boys could spend hours in this area of the park alone. A perfect end to a long day.
Quite different, but just as exciting is a day trip to the medieval center in Nykøbing, which is located directly at the Goldburgsund, the strait between the islands of Lolland and Falster. In the open-air museum you get an exciting insight into the late medieval history of Denmark shortly after the turn of the 15th century - slingshot demonstration, jousting tournament and archery included.
Particularly interesting: You can even enjoy dishes prepared according to medieval recipes in the inn. By the way, the boys look in vain for French fries on the menu, because America had not yet been "discovered" at the time depicted in the museum and the potato was therefore not yet dominant on the European menu.
Directly in Marielyst, the Golf & Fun Park attracts with action-packed activities. Denmark's largest park of this kind offers numerous "golf variants": 9- and 18-hole adventure mini-golf on a magnificent course with lakes and streams, soccer golf, Frisbee golf, handball golf, Japanese park golf. And on the adjacent classic golf course, the "real" golfers get their money's worth. By the way, we opted for a round of 18-hole mini-golf between two Baltic Sea swimming sessions.
In addition, there are many attractions nearby. Seal safaris, the crocodile zoo, various nature parks, fun pools or hiking and biking trails provide variety. But also the capital Copenhagen or the spectacular chalk cliffs Møns Klint, the highest cliff in Denmark, are only "short" drives away.
Sound of the sea at the southernmost point of Scandinavia
Our absolute favorite place, however, is "Danmarks sydligster Punkt", the southernmost point of Denmark and even Scandinavia. Actually not so spectacular, but all the more beautiful for it, the small cliff near the village of Gedser (the destination port of the ferries from Rostock) pushes into the sea.
We visit this beautiful place four times in one week. Just to sit in the sun, hike along the cliff and collect flat stones (which are there in abundance) or build sand castles. Sometimes the simplest things are also the most beautiful.
Conclusion
Since the children really want to take a ferry at night, we take a late ferry back to Germany on the last evening. And at the end of the trip we are gifted with a very special moment: when the sun sinks into the sea like a ball of fire and everything around us is bathed in a very special light, it is clear to all of us: "We will be back!
Therefore, our conclusion is not surprising: Holidays on Lolland-Falster we can recommend without reservation. Due to the proximity to Germany, it is virtually still a "vacation in your own country" - perfect to reach by car but also by train. Super to save both the environment and the wallet. Either way, Denmark is a very special country: it is so really nice "decelerating". Everything is smaller, quieter and more relaxed. Ideal conditions for a vacation, but also just for a short trip.
Information in a nutshell
Arrival: The best way is by car to Puttgarden on Fehmarn. From there, take the Scandlines car ferry to Rödby in Denmark. Coming from the east, you can take the Scandlines ferry from Rostock to Gedser in Denmark. Bookable under: www.scandlines.de
Accommodation: There are more than 200,000 vacation homes throughout Denmark - quite a lot for such a small country with just under 6 million inhabitants. A vacation in one of the many cozy houses is therefore a good idea. Most of them are located directly at the Baltic Sea or the North Sea. You can get a good overview at www.visitdenmark.de
Recreation: In Lolland-Falster it is guaranteed not to be boring. Especially for families the offer is huge. All information for successful leisure planning for the vacation in Lolland-Falster is also available at www.visitlolland-falster.de.
Food and drink: Average food prices in Denmark are significantly higher than in Germany. Basically, you should calculate about 30% additional costs, alcohol costs even up to 70% more. Also eating out is much more expensive: in a good restaurant you will quickly pay 70 € or more per person. It is worthwhile to take the basic food in the car, since you are self-sufficient in the vacation home. Tip: bring the standard food from home and rather concentrate on the Danish specialties on site! Danish hot dogs, soft ice cream, delicious topped Smörrebröd and especially Danish baked goods are real highlights.
Note on our own behalf: This article was partly supported by tour operators, restaurants, hotels, airlines and/or tourism agencies. We attach great importance to independent and neutral reporting; therefore, the opinions, impressions and experiences of the respective authors correspond to their personal views.
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