First stop Zuidlaren

Leaving The Hague, The Netherlands on the 5th of July and off to Denmark. First stop in Drenthe, but close to Groningen, where we visited friends who are renovating a small home on a ‘holiday’ park. We stayed nearby at a nice camping called Tienelsheem. Only a few spaces, but immaculate, lots of room (at least in low season), superb showers, toilets (plenty of toiletpaper), washroom with washingmachine and dryers.

It was the first time we’d taken our folding bikes. No bikerack, just stacked away in the camper. We wanted to try this out instead of taking two heavy e-bikes on the rack. So, we cycled into town, just a short bike ride with supermarkets, shops, restaurants etc in the quite nice village of Zuidlaren.

In the afternoon we headed off towards Denmark, but stopping beforehand in Germany in the town of Sittensen. The town has a special parking for 6 campers. Unfortunately full when we arrived but just 100 metres from there is another parking for 10-12 campers in a delightful park. All free of charge and public toilets opposite the first camper place open 06-18:00. We checked the app Camper4night to make sure that we were allowed to spend the night. At the end of the evening all places were taken.  

A 6 minute walk into the town (or 2 minute bike ride – we did both) and a selection of good eateries, also doing take aways. We had a really nice Indian take away in the park by the camper and even had time to feed a lot of ducks.  Really good stop on the way to or back from Scandinavia and only a short drive from the motorway.

Arrival in Ribe, Denmark

The next morning we left early to beat the rushhour in Hamburg. We arrived in Ribe, Denmark around 12, where we checked in to a small camping which we’d looked up on internet. We wanted a place close to Ribe, so we could cycle to the centre. The camping (Storkesoen) is part of a small holiday park with several fishing lakes. all very tidy and clean. We called beforehand and they advised us to arrive around 12ísh.  

Nice plots, excellent sanitaire and all facilities to empty or fill the camper. From there you can bike into Ride in about 7 minutes. We went on a 25 kilometre round trip with the bikes, mainly on cycle paths, to see the dock used to prevent floods, and also see the Wadden Sea where you can walk for miles when the tide is out. Nice activity to see and do.

Horsens and Ebeltoft

After Ribe we decided we would head towards Arhus and see a Danish fjord. We found a nice spot near Horsens, seemingly with plenty of houses for Arhus rich sector. Not that an amazing a fjord, but a nice camping on the beach – First Camp is a Swedish company that runs a number of these, and we had a huge spot, very good showers, there is a mini golf, heated pool (pay extra), a kiosk selling fries, ice creams, mini market.
There is also a kitchen area for guests, something we started to find is common practice in Denmark. You pay here for wifi, but the kitchen was free….Not cheap for a camping @ €50, but you do get quite a bit for your money and it was in high season. We had a nice walk along the beach, but we had better walks, really.

Leaving Horsens we headed for Ebeltoft, a recommendation from some Dutch people we met in a cafe in Ribe. We understood their recommendation; Ebeltoft is a nice town on the beach with lots of charming old buildings. Small but very pleasant. There is an old Frigate from the early 19th century to visit.

To stay, there is a large camping on the beach – Ebeltoft Strand Camping, but this is quite expensive and places are crammed together, plus a busy road runs along the campground. The mini golf, again, seemed a big attraction.

As we were looking for a camping a bit more peaceful, we ended up at Dråby Strand camping about 5 kilometres from Ebeltoft. This was at the end of a road, so the only sounds were the waves and the singing of the bird population. Very nice camping, several rates with the beach side being the most expensive and everyone was crammed together. A little further back, and maybe 100 metres from the beach, there were some huge spots and lots of space, and cheaper….. Excellent sanitaire, you had to pay for showers, but at least you could have unlimited hot water with the price dependent on what you use – not a bad system. Again we would have to pay for wifi, but the 4G was very good so we didn’t bother. For high season the price of €40 seemed reasonable, especially considering the size of the pitch. Again there was a free kitchen to use, free gas, pay for the oven, and the ubiquitous mini golf….

We went for a long walk along the beach, excellent scenery as there are hills (just about), and our first view of the Baltic Sea which was like a lake in the bay. Several large rocks on the beach dating back to glacial times.

Mols Bjerge

The next day we also visited Mols Bjerge, a national park nearby, which also has a horse rewilding project, going for a nice walk in the hills and a visitor hall which explains the scenery and nature in the area.

Arhus

We booked the boat from Århus to Odde to go from there to Copenhagen for a Bruce Springsteen concert. Hence that evening we stayed in Århus and this time at a Camperplads in the harbour by the Marina. Great location as a 10 minute bike ride (2km) into Århus centre. The campingplads is not fabulous, but they do provide tables and chairs to view the port and the sea. The sanitaire is quite good for a Camperplads, and price of €25 includes water and electricity. You check in (when you can find it) at a priority Camper check-in, enter your details and find a spot. Then you can pay online (information on the ticket) or in the Kiosk at the harbour, this is somewhat hard to find…… If you want electricity, this can also be paid at the kiosk (see arrow on image below). Check the number of the electricity socket, you will need this when paying at the machine. It is not all that obvious, but most camperers help eachother with information. Again place was packed by early evening, try and check in no later than 5pm at these kind of places.

There are some poor reviews, usually complaining about the cost and the fact that it is amongst the boat repairs, but is really not too bad, and it is after all a city centre camping for campers. Includes free Wifi, which worked well. Århus is quite a nice, vibrant town, plenty of good cafes and restaurants, plus a large street food centre which we found very good.

Copenhagen

We took the ferry from Arhus to Odde Sjoelland which takes around 1H20. This cost 695Kr or €83, so not cheap, but saves time and we could see more of the Danish waterways.

After a subsequent 1H30 minutes we arrived in Copenhagen and Bellahoj camping. Here you have to take a deep breath…. This is a huge field that is converted into a camping, primarily for campers, for 3 months in the summer, and has been doing so for over 40 years. Do not expect luxury, but they have a chemical toilet disposal, a grey water disposal point, showers (can be like a sauna when all in use), toilets (not great for large people), daily bread service, and for Denmark it is reasonable (as opposed to cheap). My first thought was how do we put up with this, but after a while it kind of grows on you. The staff were very helpful and friendly, and this is the closest camping to the centre.

We cycled the 4-5 kilometres in about 20 minutes on 2 days. The cycle paths are good for Europe (less if you come from NL), and lots of places to place and lock your bike up. Copenhagen is fun lively city, nice architecture in the centre, lots of nice and impressive buildings, canals etc.

In the evening we went to Parken to see Bruce Springsteen, using the buses and metro, which was quite efficient and costs around €3 for a ticket for 2 hours.

Back home via Lunëberg in Germany

The next day we headed to Germany. I never used to see Germany as a major tourist destination, despite the forests, rivers, etc. However, I have been several times recently and each time I get more enthusiastic. Clean, tidy, well organised, very reasonable prices, good enough food, and friendly people. We acted on a tip and went to Camping Rote Schleuse near Lunëberg (not far from Hamburg) which is a fabulous little camping. Large pitches, spacious and comfortable sanitaires, a really nice bar and restaurant area which serves food and drinks at very reasonable prices – after Denmark we feasted! There is a natural pond for swimming (not cold…) and a forest to walk the dog or simply just a nice stroll. Quiet and charming, lots of trees – 4 star camping for 3 star prices.

Lunëberg is a really nice town nearby, about 5 kilometres cycle, with plenty of old buildings, restaurants, a great water tower, large churches. You can easily spend a day there.

The drive from Copenhagen to Germany is around 3 hours. You can take the ferry from Rodby to Kiel in Germany, which is quite expensive, but a shorter route. We took the route via Odense which crosses a series of extensive and spectacular bridges, nice for photos, and is not that much longer.