Valdemars Slot, Funen and Islands, Denmark

5petergoode2 5:00 PM Sep 12, 2016

Truly a trip highlight, not to be missed
After having spent four nights in Copenhagen, taking in its various tourism treats including several fabulous castles and palaces, we drove down to Fyn for three nights, planning to enjoy some of what this special area of Denmark has to offer. On the second day, after visiting the relatively disappointing Nyborg Slot, we drove down the 40 minutes or so to Valdemars Slot...with the reality vastly exceeding any expectations we might have had. The site is just a few minutes across the bridge south of Svendborg, easy to find. We parked outside the ticket office/gift shop, and since we had arrived mid-day, started out with a nice smorrebrod at the cafe just to the left of the Slot entrance...attractive dining area, friendly service, nice quality food and very reasonable pricing. We then did a 180 to enter the few stairs to the building, and were wowed from the outset. What the web site photo shows as being a simple rectangular brick building contains room after room of exquisite interior decorating, with many priceless pieces of furniture, art, porcelain, etc. It is an actively lived in home, minimal number of roped off spaces, you feel as if you are simply making yourself comfortable at a friend's (albeit wealthy friend) home. There was not a single other visitor when we were there, no guards, but we are sure the reported video surveillance was active. After enjoying the several fabulous rooms on the first floor we ascended the stairs to the second floor, where more beautifully decorated rooms awaited. There is an early detour to the "attic" which is basically a museum of natural history, over a hundred beautifully preserved animal specimen from all over the world. The rationalization for the collection is that older males beyond their useful life were the focus of the collection...all we know is that we had no idea there so many varieties of dik dik, antelope, and others to be found. By the time we had taken in all that the first three floors had to offer, we skipped the recently renovated basement kitchen, walked a bit around the outside grounds, all spectacular. The only down note is that no indoor photography is allowed...can't blame the owners of the place, I probably would not want a horde of people taking pictures of my house either...but t'was a shame, as there is no guidebook to be purchased, thus most of what we saw will have to be enjoyed by memories. As such, if you are someone who enjoys palaces and castles, and if you find yourself anywhere near south Fyn, you definitely will want to include Valdemars Slot on your itinerary, this is an unforgettably magnificent home to behold.

4Biana03 5:00 PM Aug 1, 2010

Fine attraction
A very pleasant experience at the castle and in Cafe Æblehaven - but DO NOT EAT at the restaurant under the church. Completely lack of kindness and bad serving at VERY high prices