Although they may not know who wrote them, nearly every child is familiar with at least some of the fairy tales spun by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. He was born in Odense, a small city on Denmark’s “Garden Island” of Funen. Families can visit several places in Odense associated with the author as well as a castle that seems right out of one of his fairy tales.
Begin at the excellent Hans Christian Andersen Museum, which will take you and your children into the world of his imagination with a combination of artifacts from his life, his drawings and artwork, and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to browse through his books and listen to his stories and poems. Perhaps the most fascinating is the collection of cut paper figures he created. Anderson’s childhood home, where he lived 1807–1819, is now a branch of the museum, furnished as rooms would have been when he lived there.
The Møntergården Local History Museum is a complex that includes furnished houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as collections of local costumes and toys. One features Odense in the Middle Ages. Young visitors will love stepping into Andersen’s magical world in the Tinderbox Culture Centre for Children, where they can enter interactive scenes from his stories, wear costumes of their characters and play fairy tale-themed games.
About two miles outside of the town center, Funen Open-Air Village (Den Fynske Landsby) recreates a village from the time of Hans Christian Andersen. Authentic historic homes, farmhouses, cottages and shops have been preserved here, and are inhabited by costumed guides who demonstrate crafts, skills and home cooking of the time. Visitors can join in the activities, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, feed the farm animals and see performances of traditional music and dancing in the open-air theater.
Less than half an hour from Odense you can step inside a castle that looks just like those in Andersen’s fairy tales. Egeskov Castle is the best-preserved, moat-surrounded castle in Europe. Completed in 1554, it was built for defense with walls many feet thick (there are stairways inside some of them) and water all around.
Tours of the castle include the spectacular banquet hall. Egeskov Castle is one of many visited by Hans Christian Andersen and was a particular favorite; after a visit in 1842 he described it and the beautiful gardens in his diary. There are more things to do here: Segway tours, a treetop walk and a collection of antique cars. Be sure to allow time to stroll through the prize-winning gardens.
This and 14 other castles and manor houses on the island of Funen are connected to Andersen and his stories. You can follow the Hans Christian Andersen Trail to discover these.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedParents
Apr 24, 2024Treat Mom to Tea at The St. Regis Atlanta
Are you planning family travel to Atlanta for Mother’s Day this year? For those in the area on May 11 and 12, celebrate mom with a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at The St. Regis Atlanta. Afternoon tea is a hallmark at the property and this year’s Mother’s Day version will honor Audrey Hepburn and her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Multigenerational
Apr 22, 2024Travel Sustainably with BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels invites family travelers to experience sustainable practices across its global portfolio. The brand prioritizes sustainable and responsible tourism through its Because We Care program and various partnerships with eco-friendly brands.
Parents
Apr 22, 20244 Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day fast approaches, and all mothers and mother figures deserve something extra special this year. Treat the mom in your life, whether she’s an outdoor enthusiast or host extraordinaire, to these four great gifts.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Multigenerational
Apr 19, 2024Family-Friendly Offerings from Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection
Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection includes the largest portfolio of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the world — many of them perfect for family travelers. And two current offers might entice your family even more.
ShareThis