Hotel Wikingerhof

Dannevirke

Dannevirke is the largest defensive structure and ancient monument in the Nordic countries. It consists of ramparts and walls and was created and expanded between the years 600 and 1200. The fortress was intended to secure the southern border of the kingdom and stretched across Jutland between the Slien fjord and the River Trenen. The Dannevirke served as a defensive fortification at the latest during the 1864 war (the Second Schleswig War), and the fortifications have an almost mythical role in Danish history.

Gottorp Slot

Visit Gottorp Castle with its beautiful baroque gardens and three art museums; the National Museum of Art, Cultural History and Archaeology.

The castle is located at the bottom of the river Slien and has played an important role in the many wars between the Danish kings and the Gottorp dukes.

Frederik I also ruled Denmark from Gottorp Castle.

Schleswig

Schleswig is just 40 km south of the Danish border and offers exciting history and culture. The city is over 1200 years old and calls itself the first city of Northern Europe. A stroll around the centre is recommended, where the city's cathedral is enthroned and hints at little Schleswig's more colourful past. Vikings settled along the Slien fjord, making the area an economic hub for 200 years. Later, the Dukes of Gottorp made Schleswig their power base from the 16th to 18th centuries. You can learn more about this historical heritage in the town's many museums.

Rendsburg

Right in the middle of Schleswig-Holstein on the Kiel Canal lies Rendsburg. This exciting town has a lot to offer and is ideal for a family visit. The blue line, which is part of the cityscape, leads its guests on an approximately 3.2 km tour around the inner city past the most interesting places and buildings in Rendsburg. These include the Jewish Museum in the Dr. Bamberghus in Prinsessegade, which tells about the history and cultural history of the Jews in the German duchies, a very interesting exhibition that takes its visitors on a social and art historical journey through the life of the German Jews. Another stop on the Blue Line is Sankt Marienkirche, a medieval church built around 1330. The church is characterised by the Baroque baptismal font from the 18th century, the high altar and the royal box, dedicated to Frederik IV with very beautiful carved chairs and of course the high altar, created in 1647 by Henning Clausen. Another stop on the route is the Old Town Hall from 1566, which can be visited, but only with a guide. Also take a closer look at the old railway bridge.

Sailing on the Kiel Canal

Take a cruise on the Kiel Canal from Rendsborg to Kiel and discover Northern Germany from the sea. The Kiel Canal runs through northern Germany from Kiel on the Baltic Sea to Brunsbüttel on the North Sea and is therefore also called the Kiel Canal. Experience the beautiful scenery and the large container ships and cruise liners passing by on the busy canal. Between Rendsborg and Kiel you can sail with the M/S Princess or the over one hundred year old wheel steamer Freya. It is possible to buy refreshments on board.

Schwabstedt

The small, cosy village of Schwabstedt is set in idyllic green surroundings, with the River Treene cutting through the landscape. Of course, nature is the main attraction in the area and right by the hotel you can find countless beautiful hiking trails, where you can also choose to cycle around.

The small town offers an idyllic tranquillity where you can just enjoy the fresh air and soak up the surrounding nature. The town itself is pleasant for a stroll among the old thatched houses and green spaces. You can also find many rare plant and animal species in the area as you explore the countryside. And in general, there are countless opportunities for those who want to enjoy an active holiday, where not only hiking and cycling are possible, but also boating, swimming and fishing are among the favourite activities in the area.

If you enjoy a quiet walk in the small town, it is a good idea to stop by the town's church, which is set in beautiful surroundings. The Lutheran church of St James dates back to around 1160 and is built in the Romanesque style. Note the altar, which was originally in Husum but came to the church in Schwabstedt around 1834. The altar was acquired together with pictures of the twelve apostles as well as pictures of scenes from the crucifixion of Jesus.

Seawater wave pool Eckernförde

If you like spa, wellness and pampering, a wellness holiday to Eckernförde in Northern Germany might be for you. Eckernförde is today mostly based on spa and wellness tourism and here you will find Meerwasser-Wellenbad Eckernförde which definitely deserves a visit - whether with or without the family. Meerwasser-Wellenbad offers a veritable hodgepodge of wellness experiences with Turkish and Finnish saunas, a snow room as well as a salt cave and various kinds of massages and of course plenty of water, both chlorine and salt water pools, as well as activities for the kids. A visit to the on-site bistro is also not to be denied, should hunger get the better of you. It serves both snacks and hot dishes, as well as drinks. Meerwasser-Wellenbad Eckernförde is therefore an ideal destination for a cheap car holiday in Germany.

Eckernförde

Book a cheap self-drive holiday to Eckernförde and take the whole family on holiday. The town has quite a history to offer; The plague ravaged in the 1600s, killing almost all the inhabitants, and the town was sacked during the Thirty Years' War and again during the Napoleonic Wars and has since been a battleground between Denmark and Prussia in the late Three Years' War, also known as the Schleswig War from 1848 to 1850, when Denmark lost its liner Christian VIII as well as the frigate Gefion when they strayed into Eckernförde Bay and were almost decimated by the Prussian coastal battery. The frigate Gefion was later restored and joined the German Federal Fleet under the name Eckernförde.

Go on a cheap mini break or weekend break in Eckernförde and discover the old town hall from the 16th century, which was in use until 1984 and today serves as a town museum. It tells the fascinating story of the town's development from 1200 to the present day in the form of alternating and informative exhibitions. Continue your walk through the town and head north over the wooden bridge towards Borby Church, a beautiful Romanesque church built of ashlar stone in the 1110s and therefore one of the oldest in Southern Schleswig. Not far from the church, down towards the water, is the Ostsee Info-Center, which has various exhibitions about the Baltic Sea and the components of this beautiful sea. Learn more about the animal and plant life and get up close to the Baltic Sea's wondrous geological history, certainly an experience the whole family will appreciate.