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TRAVEL EDIT
South Funen with Karmameju's Head of Creative and content creator, Christina Düsterich
SUMMARY
What to experience – garden inspiration, coastal nature, local food and cultural experiences, small galleries and treasure hunting in independent shops.
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The Travel Edit is a summer series in The Journal, where inspiring profiles share their personal guide to places in Denmark that hold a special place in their hearts.
Meet Christina Düsterich
Christina Düsterich is Head of Creative at Karmameju and has a distinctive eye for sense-awakening aesthetics. Whether she's practising intuitive gardening as a newly devoted gardenista or creating interiors that feel lived-in and personal, she creates visual stories and atmospheres that inspire.
A few years ago, Christina and her family traded the vibrant pace of Copenhagen for life on Tåsinge, a small island in South Funen. Here, she finds inspiration in nature, the changing seasons and the beauty of everyday moments.
In this Travel Edit, Christina shares her favourite places in South Funen – destinations she returns to for peace, inspiration, gardens, nature and the magic of summer.
Meet Christina Düsterich
Christina Düsterich is Head of Creative at Karmameju and has a distinctive eye for sense-awakening aesthetics. Whether she's practising intuitive gardening as a newly devoted gardenista or creating interiors that feel lived-in and personal, she creates visual stories and atmospheres that inspire.
A few years ago, Christina and her family traded the vibrant pace of Copenhagen for life on Tåsinge, a small island in South Funen. Here, she finds inspiration in nature, the changing seasons and the beauty of everyday moments.
In this Travel Edit, Christina shares her favourite places in South Funen – destinations she returns to for peace, inspiration, gardens, nature and the magic of summer.
What is your relationship with South Funen?
A few years ago, we swapped Copenhagen for Tåsinge in South Funen. It felt like turning down the noise and turning up life. Today we live surrounded by the sea, forests and gardens, and I love the contrast between the maritime landscape, the beautiful nature and the strong creative culture that exists here. There's room for creativity, family life and the long detours that often turn out to be the very best ones.
Which place captures the essence of South Funen for you?
Svendborg and Tåsinge together, where we live. The harbour, the old wooden ships, the charming streets and Svendborg's vibrant cultural scene. And then there's the landscape of Tåsinge – the fields, the coastline and the feeling of always being close to the water. To me, South Funen is where maritime life, creativity and nature come together.
Which place captures the essence of South Funen for you?
Svendborg and Tåsinge together, where we live. The harbour, the old wooden ships, the charming streets and Svendborg's vibrant cultural scene. And then there's the landscape of Tåsinge – the fields, the coastline and the feeling of always being close to the water. To me, South Funen is where maritime life, creativity and nature come together.
A restaurant you always return to?
Restaurant Vi To in Svendborg. The focus is on seasonal ingredients, local produce and vegetable-led cooking, without ever feeling formal. It's ambitious yet wonderfully relaxed.
I also find myself returning to 105 Bar & Køkken for its informal atmosphere and delicious sharing dishes, and to Café Kroen on Thurø, housed in the old village inn, where locals and visitors gather in a warm, welcoming setting.
Restaurant Vi To: Møllergade 35, DK-5700 Svendborg
105 Bar & Køkken: Møllergade 105A, DK-5700 Svendborg
Café Kroen: Bergmannsvej 101, DK-5700 Thurø
A restaurant you always return to?
Restaurant Vi To in Svendborg. The focus is on seasonal ingredients, local produce and vegetable-led cooking, without ever feeling formal. It's ambitious yet wonderfully relaxed.
I also find myself returning to 105 Bar & Køkken for its informal atmosphere and delicious sharing dishes, and to Café Kroen on Thurø, housed in the old village inn, where locals and visitors gather in a warm, welcoming setting.
Restaurant Vi To: Møllergade 35, DK-5700 Svendborg
105 Bar & Køkken: Møllergade 105A, DK-5700 Svendborg
Café Kroen: Bergmannsvej 101, DK-5700 Thurø
Your favourite breakfast spot?
Lolo Bakery on Svendborg's waterfront. Great coffee, freshly baked sourdough and views across the harbour — honestly, I don't need much more than that.
Lolo Bakery: Jessens Mole 5A, DK-5700 Svendborg
Your favourite breakfast spot?
Lolo Bakery on Svendborg's waterfront. Great coffee, freshly baked sourdough and views across the harbour — honestly, I don't need much more than that.
Lolo Bakery: Jessens Mole 5A, DK-5700 Svendborg
A cultural experience not to be missed?
The gardens at Egeskov Castle. This is where I find so much of my garden inspiration. We have annual passes and return again and again – for the gardens, the playground and the cosy bistro, where you can sit outside listening to the bees humming. The 17 individual garden rooms feel like a world of ideas.
I would also recommend a trip to Ærø, an island with a truly magical atmosphere. We're spending our own summer holiday in Ærøskøbing this year.
I'm also dreaming of a getaway at Pension Vestergade or Gravendal Homestay.
Valdemars Castle on Tåsinge is another favourite, where historic surroundings meet contemporary art in a way that feels both surprising and beautiful.
I would also recommend Naturdestination Skovsgaard on Langeland, Faaborg Museum and a sailing trip through Svendborg Sound aboard the historic vessel Helge. These are all places I love exploring with my children.
Egeskov Castle: Egeskov Gade 22, DK-5772 Kværndrup
Pension Vestergade: Vestergade 44, DK-5970 Ærøskøbing
Gravendal Homestay: Gravendal 1, DK-5970 Ærøskøbing
Valdemars Castle: Slotsalleen 100, DK-5700 Svendborg
Naturdestination Skovsgaard: Kågårdsvej 10, DK-5900 Rudkøbing
Faaborg Museum: Grønnegade 75, DK-5600 Faaborg
A cultural experience not to be missed?
The gardens at Egeskov Castle. This is where I find so much of my garden inspiration. We have annual passes and return again and again – for the gardens, the playground and the cosy bistro, where you can sit outside listening to the bees humming. The 17 individual garden rooms feel like a world of ideas.
I would also recommend a trip to Ærø, an island with a truly magical atmosphere. We're spending our own summer holiday in Ærøskøbing this year.
I'm also dreaming of a getaway at Pension Vestergade or Gravendal Homestay.
Valdemars Castle on Tåsinge is another favourite, where historic surroundings meet contemporary art in a way that feels both surprising and beautiful.
I would also recommend Naturdestination Skovsgaard on Langeland, Faaborg Museum and a sailing trip through Svendborg Sound aboard the historic vessel Helge. These are all places I love exploring with my children.
Egeskov Castle: Egeskov Gade 22, DK-5772 Kværndrup
Pension Vestergade: Vestergade 44, DK-5970 Ærøskøbing
Gravendal Homestay: Gravendal 1, DK-5970 Ærøskøbing
Valdemars Castle: Slotsalleen 100, DK-5700 Svendborg
Naturdestination Skovsgaard: Kågårdsvej 10, DK-5900 Rudkøbing
Faaborg Museum: Grønnegade 75, DK-5600 Faaborg
A shop or gallery you love?
The many vintage shops, especially Kirkeby Mejeri, are perfect for vintage finds and treasure hunting. Østerland Gårdbutik is my favourite for biodynamic produce and its close connection to the surrounding landscape. I also love visiting Galleri Dagny Egelund in Svendborg, Storms Hjørne at Troense Harbour for locally made products, and SAK Kunstbygning for contemporary art.
Kirkeby Gamle Mejeri: Assensvej 13, 5771 Stenstrup
Østerlund Gårdbutik (Høne & Co.): Sortemosevej 7, 5892 Gudbjerg Sydfyn
Galleri Dagny Egelund: Christiansmindevej 78, 5700 Svendborg
Storms Hjørne: Slotsalléen 2B, 5700 Troense
SAK Kunstbygning: Vestergade 27-31, 5700 Svendborg
A shop or gallery you love?
The many vintage shops, especially Kirkeby Mejeri, are perfect for vintage finds and treasure hunting. Østerland Gårdbutik is my favourite for biodynamic produce and its close connection to the surrounding landscape. I also love visiting Galleri Dagny Egelund in Svendborg, Storms Hjørne at Troense Harbour for locally made products, and SAK Kunstbygning for contemporary art.
Kirkeby Gamle Mejeri: Assensvej 13, 5771 Stenstrup
Østerlund Gårdbutik (Høne & Co.): Sortemosevej 7, 5892 Gudbjerg Sydfyn
Galleri Dagny Egelund: Christiansmindevej 78, 5700 Svendborg
Storms Hjørne: Slotsalléen 2B, 5700 Troense
SAK Kunstbygning: Vestergade 27-31, 5700 Svendborg
A beach or natural area you love?
Smørmosen on Thurø is one of the beaches we return to all summer long. It's peaceful, family-friendly and has a wonderful sandy beach with everything you need to spend an entire day there.
Ristinge Beach on Langeland is another favourite with its wide-open coastline, and I love the scenic drive along the coast to Lundeborg, where the beach, harbour and small local markets create the perfect summer atmosphere.
Monnet on Tåsinge is one of those places where you truly experience South Funen's raw, untouched nature. And the area surrounding Hvidkilde Manor is simply breathtaking.
Smørmosen Strand: Smørmosevej, 5700 Thurø
Ristinge Strand: Ristinge Strand, 5932 Humble
Monnet (Naturreservatet Monnet): Monnetvej, 5700 Svendborg
Hvidkilde Gods: Hvidkildevej 64, 5700 Svendborg
The best ice cream on the island?
Svendborg Ismejeri makes my favourite gelato – pistachio, without question. And Skarø Is has become a South Funen classic that simply tastes like summer.
Svendborg Ismejeri: Brogade 4, DK-5700 Svendborg
Skarø Is (creamery & farm shop): Østerhovedvej 4, DK-5700 Skarø
Your favourite summer entertainment – what are you reading, watching or listening to this summer?
My husband and I have promised each other we'll listen to the podcast Det Bevidste Parforhold together.
I also listen to Homing by Matt Gibberd. On my sun loungebed, you'll find Big Magic and The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, and in the kitchen, I'm looking forward to diving into Trine Hahnemann's new cookbook, Midnight Sun – A Scandinavian Cookbook for Long Summer Days. To me, that feels like the perfect trio for a South Funen summer.
Your favourite summer entertainment – what are you reading, watching or listening to this summer?
My husband and I have promised each other we'll listen to the podcast Det Bevidste Parforhold together.
I also listen to Homing by Matt Gibberd. On my sun loungebed, you'll find Big Magic and The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, and in the kitchen, I'm looking forward to diving into Trine Hahnemann's new cookbook, Midnight Sun – A Scandinavian Cookbook for Long Summer Days. To me, that feels like the perfect trio for a South Funen summer.
Christina's 5 South Funen favourites
– Egeskov Castle Gardens
– Valdemars Castle Museum
– Restaurant Vi To
– Lolo Bakery
– Smørmosen Beach
Follow Christina Düsterich here
Christina's favourites
