North Jutland - Land of Light

A lovely short tour to North Jutland featuring the lively city

of Aalborg and the picturesque village of Skagen, where

the North Sea meets with the Baltic Sea.

Aalborg, the gateway to the Land of Light, is Denmark's 'feel good' city with its relaxed and happy atmosphere and strong focus on art and culture. Strategically situated overlooking the Limfjord, the body of water that cuts Jutland in two, it has been a bustling port since Viking times. Indeed Lindholm Høje is the site of 682 graves from the Iron and Viking Ages and the excellent Lindholm Høje Museum features archaeological displays, which are an attempt to re-create a sense of life during Viking times. A guided city bus tour operates during the summer and includes a visit to the gravesite and museum.

With a good selection of shops, restaurants and bars Aalborg is a vibrant short-break destination and is ever-growing in popularity for those seeking a cool city vibe.

It is also home to a number of superb museums and cultural hubs including The Utzon Centre by the waterfront, which is not only an exhibition centre, but a direct presentation of art, architecture and design completely in the spirit of its designer, world-famous architect Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame. Other local attractions include a visit to 'Den tilsandede kirke' the ancient church where only the tower is visible due to sand drifts and the walk to the top of one of the largest migrating dunes in Europe, Raabjerg Mile.

The city really comes alive during the run up to the festive season with the intoxicating Christmas market – an annual tradition right in the heart of Aalborg. Wander among the beautifully decorated Christmas cabins and trees, experience the smell of freshly baked gingerbread men and warm your insides with a glass of glug while topping up on your Christmas shopping. Heaven!

At the top of Denmark in North Jutland you will find beautiful, wide, sandy beaches surrounding idyllic villages where artists flock to experience the very special light. Here art and culture flourish, particularly in picturesque town of Skagen, where two seas meet on the tip of Grenen. The distinct red rooftops and yellow painted houses of the town's older neighbourhoods frame an old tranquil fishing village renowned for its shellfish specialities. The town has a picturesque harbour with a selection of boutiques and restaurants (of particular note is Pakhuset restaurant) and is just a short walk from Sankt Laurentii Vej, Skagen's main street. Skagen Museum displays paintings by numerous local artists who flocked to Skagen between 1830 and 1930 for the special light.

Day 1 - Arrival

Evening departure from London Gatwick Airport onboard Norwegian flight arriving at Aalborg Airport during late evening. We suggest you take the airport bus or a taxi to your hotel.

2 nights AALBORG - First Slotshotel Aalborg (BB)

Day 3 - Aalborg - Lønstrup - Skagen

Collect your hire car from the Avis office in Aalborg city centre. Bear northwest, towards the coast passing through the popular seaside town of Løkken and eventually reaching the picturesque seaside resort of Lønstrup. Possible visit en route to Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, which ceased operation in August 1968 due to shifting sands and coastal erosion. Time to explore Lønstrup's art and craft shops and perhaps enjoy lunch at one of the numerous cafes. Continue along the coast, bypassing the port of Hirtshals (unless you particularly want to go and have a look!) eventually joining the main road to Skagen from Frederikshavn. Total day's driven kms/miles 132/82

2 nights SKAGEN - Color Hotel Skagen ***plus

Day 5 - Departure

Take the main highway from Skagen back to Aalborg, this time via Frederikshavn in order to make more of a roundtrip and avoid retracing your route. Total day's driven kms/miles 107/67. Park your hire car in the spaces indicated with the Avis logo then leave the car keys at the Avis office in the airport. Return flight to the UK.

Departure Day:  Sunday from London Heathrow airport
Departure Dates:  1 May - 30 September 2011
Duration:  4 nights

N. B. Alternative departures are available from Gatwick with Norwegian, however an indireect service may apply in one direction. Alternative departures are also available from Manchester with SAS at a supplement - please ask for further details.

Skagen, Denmark

Skagen Museum
The museum contains the largest collection of Skagen artists’ work, the majority of which depict local coastal scenes capturing the unique colours enhanced by the area’s strong natural light. Artists include Michael and Anne Ancher. For further information visit www.skagensmuseum.dk

Den Tilsandede Kirke
The ancient ‘Buried Church’, a perfect illustration of why the dunes need stabilizing. All that is now left of the original church is the 14th century tower as from the beginning of the 16th century the church was gradually ruined by vicious sandstorms.

Råberg Mile
About 17kms south of Skagen, midway between the east and west coasts, there is a signposted path leading to Bunken Klitplantage (plantation); here you will find the largest sand dune in the country harbouring an enormous destructive force having 4 million cubic metres of sand which moves at approximately 15 metres per year. Walking on the sand dunes is a wonderful experience, and great exercise for the calf muscles, but don’t expect to find much of a trail!

De 2 Havre
A wonderful restaurant for lunch or dinner with magnificent views of the Skagerrak and Kattegat. The restaurant prides itself on the use of only local ingredients and suppliers and is highly rated by Taber Holidays staff! For further information visit www.restaurantde2have.dk

Pakhuset
Set in a former frozen-fish warehouse, this restaurant is situated directly in Skagen harbour and therefore is very popular with local yachtsmen and women. Downstairs you will find a café with outdoor seating whilst upstairs you will find their gourmet restaurant which specializes in seafood  but does offer alternative meat dishes. For further information visit www.pakhuset-skagen.dk

Grenen
The northernmost tip of Denmark, just 4 kms from Skagen, and the point at which the two seas, the Kattegat and Skagerrak, literally clash into one another. From the car park at the end of Gyrvej, the Sandormen tractor-drawn bus runs regularly along the beach to the tip though it is also possible to walk the ½ km along the beach instead. A truly magnificent sight in windy weather!

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