The city of Odense is conveniently located two hours to the west of Copenhagen. Walking around this city in Denmark will have you thinking you are wandering through the pages of a book. The cobblestone streets, pastel-colored townhomes, lush gardens, and steeples that look like witches’ hats will have you taking lots of photographs.

I recommend starting your journey in Odense at Andersen’s birthplace. This house is now the Hans Christian Andersen Museum that I mentioned above.

Inside the museum, you will see exhibits filled with Andersen’s works of art. He created numerous drawings and cut-outs in addition to his fairy tale stories. Many of his stories can be found within the books at this museum. But a better way to experience these tales is by listening to them at the listening posts.

After you have explored the museum, you can head over to Andersen’s childhood home. It is a yellow home on Munkemøllestræde. He lived there from the time he was two years old until he turned fourteen. The house is quite small at only eighteen square meters. Your kids may be shocked at how so many people could live in a house that tiny.

A short walk from the home down to the riverbank will have you seeing Eventyrhaven. This is Andersen’s Fairytale Garden complete with pergolas, bridges, and hedgerows.

A fairy tale sculpture trail isn’t too far away from the garden. Follow the trail along the river to see all types of fairy tale sculptures dedicated to Andersen’s characters.

After exploring near Andersen’s home, you must venture out further into the countryside. This will allow you to see all the inspirational sights Andersen used for his writings. Start at the Dunes of Skagen before going deep into the dark woods of Jӕgersborg Dyrehave.

It’s an absolute must to spend some extra time at Gisselfeld Kloster. That is the royal estate that Andersen used to inspire him to write The Ugly Duckling.

And make sure you have your camera ready for the views from the cliffs of Stevns Klint.

A day trip to Copenhagen is a must if you want to explore the Nyhavn Canal and the Tivoli Gardens. The Little Mermaid statue is in the Langelinie Promenade there too.

You don’t need to travel to Copenhagen though. There is plenty to keep you busy during your family vacation in Odense. I recommend filling in your extra time by checking out the more than one hundred castles and manors scattered throughout Fyn.

Before you leave to return home, you must try to find all the different statues of Hans Christian Andersen scattered throughout the city. There is a map to help you out.

We all remember hearing fairy tales as bedtime stories. Bring those memories to life for yourself and your family by visiting the fairy tale city of Odense in Denmark. I guarantee this is one family vacation everyone will remember forever!

So, are you ready to book your next family vacation in Odense to experience the fairy tales?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. Clicking on this link will take you directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not ready to schedule your next fairy tale family vacation, you can sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share throughout the year.

The post Visit This Fairy Tale Inspired City in Denmark appeared first on integritylawfirmcmr.com.

5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation

1. Hood River, Oregon

Hood River is only an hour from Portland. Yet very few people choose to add this to their vacation travel bucket list. This city is right on the Columbia River. Therefore, you know time out on the water is going to be included in your vacation plans. A few of the more popular family activities in this city include kayaking, hiking, kite surfing, and mountain biking. And if you want an adult activity, there are numerous breweries and wineries to visit. Imagine spending the day out in nature, making memories with your kids, and then relaxing with a new drink every evening!

2. Buffalo, New York 

The city of Buffalo is directly on the shoreline of Lake Erie. This may not be good news in the winter, thanks to all the lake effect snow. But spending the summer months in the city will have you out on the lake, whether swimming, paddleboarding, or fishing from a boat. History lovers will want to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. And future architects will want to spend quite a bit of time at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House. And don’t forget to eat some of the infamous buffalo chicken wings during your vacation to this city destination!

3. Appleton, Wisconsin

There are so many things to do in Wisconsin. And yet, so many people choose to vacation in the larger cities instead of areas like Appleton. This charming city has everything you want for a vacation away from home. Lazy days can be spent wandering through the downtown streets or grabbing ingredients at the Farmer’s Market. If your family loves to eat out, then the restaurants along the Fox River will be calling your name. During your family vacation in Appleton, you must take one of the sunset cruises along the river. It is an excellent ending to any day.

4. Las Cruces, New Mexico

The cultural scene in the city destination of Las Cruces is amazing. The options are endless when it comes to history, science, and art museums. Add in the multiple art galleries and you may feel like you have found your new home. And if the outdoors is more your family’s style, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails in this area of New Mexico. I recommend beginning at the Dripping Springs Natural Area before heading over to the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

5. Peoria, Illinois

Another cultural destination that is left off vacation travel bucket lists is Peoria, Illinois. This large city sits directly on the Illinois River. This city may be close to Chicago, but it’s vibe couldn’t be more different. Your family can wander through the city streets. But your kids may prefer to spend their time with the bison, cougars, and bears at the Wildlife Prairie Park. Other places of interest include the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Luthy Botanical Garden.

These are five city destinations no one really considers when planning a family vacation. If you are looking to visit somewhere new to make memories with your family, I recommend considering these destinations. Or use them as a guideline to find another underrated city for your next vacation.

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation in one of these city destinations?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not quite ready to choose one of these city destinations for a family vacation, you can sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share.

The post 5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation appeared first on integritylawfirmcmr.com.