Top 501

Der Sommer ist zum Lesen da. So heißt es doch so schön. Man sitzt im Garten oder liegt am Strand und versinkt in Geschichten, die einen mitnehmen und unterhalten. Im Haus haben wir eine kleine, feine Auswahl passender Sommerhaus-Literatur. Gerade eingeräumt ins Regal und durchgeblättert: 501 Must-Visit Islands. Ein dicker Schmöker der schönsten Inseln der Welt und tatsächlich auch dabei: unsere Insel Fejø :-)

Original Text: One of several tiny islands off the north coast of Lolland, Fejø is an idyllic rural backwater of fruit trees, sand and sea that has, so far, managed to escape the scars of mass tourism. The island is just 16 sq km (6 sq mi) of low-lying, rich clay with a 30 km (19 mi) coastline of gently sloping sand beaches - perfect for swimming, kayaking and windsurfing. It is inhabited by warm-hearted people who live from the produce of their smallholdings and the proceeds of their apple and pear orchards. Fejo's apples are the best in Denmark and every year boxes from the latest harvest are sent to the Danish Royal Family.

The first written records of Fejo's history are 13th century, although there is plenty of archeological evidence of human habitation from 10,000 BC onwards. In the 17th century, while under Swedish occupation, the last bit of forest was cleared to make way for agricultural land. The islanders eventually acquired their own freehold, liberating themselves from the dominance of the large landowners of Lolland, and by the early 19th century the island population had reached its height of 1,500 inhabitants - sufficiently large to maintain a doctor and midwife.

Although most of the island is given over to fruit farming, there is some lovely wild walking and riding country at Skobnakken, on the north coast, and Skalo, a 100 hectare (250 acre) salt-meadow islet approached by a causeway where wading birds roost and cattle roam free. There are two charming villages of traditional thatched cottages - Vesterby, where the ferry comes in, and Østerby with its old boatyard - each with a picturesque harbor and jetty. Despite its tiny size, Fejø is a wonderful place for farm and beach holidays, with plenty of activities to suit children and adults alike.