Danish Palaces & Country Houses

Depart Heathrow 0745 on British Airways, arriving Billund 1025. Transfer to Hotel Helnan Marselis, Aarhus, for two nights. Afternoon: Aarhus Cathedral, Den Gamle By (open-air museum).

Rosenholm (one of the best-preserved Danish Renaissance mansions) followed by charming seaside town of Ebeltoft. Afternoon: Horning Church (rustic Baroque plasterwork and furnishings), Clausholm (evocative interiors, fine Baroque plasterwork.

Morning: cross to island of Fyn for visit to Odense Cathedral, followed by the pretty little town of Faborg and Valdemarslot (impressive 17th century house with Rococo interiors, overlooking sea), before transferring to Hotel Aero, Svendborg, for two nights.

By ferry to the island of Aero and the town of Aeroskobing, caught in a delightful time-warp; private lunch in an historic farmhouse and tour of the island.

Hesselagergaard (dramatic exterior, built for Danish chancellor in 1530s), Ledreborg (one of Denmark’s most imposing 18th century country houses), Roskilde Cathedral (burial place of Danish monarchs). Transfer to Copenhagen for four nights at Copenhagen Strand Hotel.

Morning in Copenhagen with private visits to Moltke’s Palace and Erichsen’s Mansion, followed by free afternoon.

Fredensborg Palace (18th-century residence of Queen Margarethe), Helsingor, St Olai Cathedral and Kronborg Castle.

Karise Church (imposing neo-Classical Moltke mausoleum), Thorvaldsen Collection at Nyso, Liselund (idyllic cottage orné and park), Elmelunde Church (extensive 15th century frescoes).

Free morning followed by Frederiksberg Palace (outstanding Baroque interiors). Depart Copenhagen 1825 on British Airways, arriving Heathrow 1930.