Island of Funen

The large island of Funen lies about 85 miles west of Copenhagen. A pretty and peaceful place, it is known as the “Garden of Denmark” thanks to fertile soil that yields an abundance of produce. The terrain is generally flat, with the exception of a wooded ridge in the southwest known ironically to locals as the “Funen Alps.” Its principal city, Odense, is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Egeskov Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe. Built in 1554, the majestic red-brick structure is situated in the middle of a lake and is surrounded by a magnificent park that includes a maze, a fuchsia garden and an herb garden. Funen is reached from Jutland by one of the two bridges spanning a channel known as the “Little Belt.”