Drejã¸
Gl. Elmegaard
The oldest farmhouse on the island dating back to at least 1535, there is a small museum, a café and a small store in the building.
Ferry from Svendborg continues to Skarø, 55 minutes, 4-5 times daily, 85 DKK Marina: 54º 55,5' N 10º 25,3' E; VHF: 16,13,12 & 6; 15 berths at 50 DKK; Depth: 1,2m; Speed: no planing.
Drejø (http://www.drejo.dk/) is at a staggering 5km² one of the larger islands, and it has around 70 inhabitants, due to the long sailing times it is also in real threat of island death, with many of the houses used as vacation homes. But the ferry, which arrives on the western part of the island, also takes you to the border between the shallow waters - on the southern part of the island, which is mainly rocky, but have a few beaches, and the more open and deeper waters to north, where there is good fishing to be had. Only half the island is farmland, the rest is made of grassy meadows, lakes, and other picture perfect landscape, which is home of the islands famous white deer, and then of course there is also the islands only village - with some pretty half timbered houses, though tragically many of the old houses burned in a tragic fire in 1942. Remember to watch out for the house numbers - which is not really house numbers but old symbols.
The locals jokingly refer to a local driving rule which dictates that you are not allowed to use seatbelts on the island, since if you do, in all likelihood you are driving to way too fast - so leave the car in Svendborg, and jump on the local taxi instead - a tractor with a wagon for passengers going between the harbour and islands accommodations, or grab a bike, rental is conveniently available in the first house you see walking of the ferry.
Drejø Kirke
Build in 1535, this is likely the only Danish church build before Denmark's reformation, which has never had a Catholic priest - though it was build under tragic circumstances, when two baptist parties drowned when their boat capsized, en route to their church on another island.
Strynã¸
Ferry: from Rudkøbing, 30 minutes 6-8 departures per day, 70 DKK .Marina: 54º 54,2'N 10º 37,7'E; VHF:16&12; ? berths at ? DKK; Depth:1,5m; Speed:3 knots.
Strynø (http://strynoe.dk/) covers 5km², and is home to around 200 people. It is one of the most successful island societies in the country, and one of few who have managed to stale the endemic depopulation - in no small part thanks to a open and inventive but closely knit community, including many artists and craftsmen, which might be worth visiting.
Like most of the islands in the archipelago, Strynø is a picturesque combination of farms and wetlands with many birds during the summer months. But to many the real attraction is the the pretty village, which is usually densely build up for a Danish island - and in fact before depopulation took hold, it used to be the 2nd most densely populated island in the whole country. The nice red brick buildings are mostly from the 18th and 19th century, and some of them feature some quite spectacular ornamentation, are built up around several village ponds and small alleys and twisting roads- it makes for a very pleasant exploration. Remember to look out for the many inventive Weather vanes on top of the buildings, it makes for good photos and a reminder of the islands maritime history.
Strynø Kirke
Originally from 1589, unfortunately the only remaining part from the old church is the porch. The modern day church was build in 1867 in typical Danish style. It is worth going inside to see the renaissance pulpit from 1618 - a relic of the old church.
Strynø Mølle
The islands beautiful old windmill dates back back to 1832, and is lovingly restored and preserved. Though there is no public access, it makes for some good photo opportunities in the vicinity
BÃ¥dmuseet
Is a summer only exhibition inside Ãhavets Smakkecenter see Get in section, run together with the Museum of Langeland, it shows the natural and cultural history of the archipelago, with special focus on maritime. While, not especially large, it is worth your time if you are on the island.
skarã¸
Ferry from Svendborg continues to Drejø, 30 minutes, 4-5 times daily, 85 DKK Marina: 55º 00,7' N 10º 28,5' E; VHF: 16,13,12 & 6 ; 50 berths at 100 DKK; Depth: 2,5m; Speed: 4 knots.
Skarø (http://www.skaroe.com) is 2 km² and located at the exit of the pretty Svenborg sound, because of the proximity to the main land it gets many one-day visitors, and since the ferry ride is so short it allows for commuting, the island has like Strynø, managed to halt the depopulation and gained new blood in the last few years, so that 36 people live permanently on the island now, most of them in the nice village build up around a village pond.
The island is like most of the islands very flat, but the tallest point towers an impressive 8 meters over the island sea, and has fittingly been named Vesterbjerg - the "Western mountain", it has some good views and a small chapel dating back to around 1900, which includes a memorial for the soldiers of a downed RAF bomber from WWII. The coast is mainly rocky but still invites for a good swim, particularly on the west coast or on the sand reef to the north. On some of the grassland, you can see Scottish Highland cattle. Local resident Preben Sørensen conducts casual guided tours during the summer, where he tells about life on a Danish island phone +45 22 56 31 99.