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Fano Island can best be described as a
"marvelous beach holiday getaway." From the sand dunes looking
out into the North Sea, you wonder if the beaches ever end.
They are so broad that it seems a day's journey to the water line.
People out at the edge of the sea appear as tiny silhouetted dots
that occasionally disappear into the surf and then pop back into
view. It is all very surreal.
A small island, Fano Island is the northern most island in the North
Sea island chain stretching from Holland in the south to Denmark in
the north. It lies just a short 15 to 20 minute ferry ride off
the coast of the city of Esbjerg.
You first make land at the maritime village of Nordby, an exquisite
little settlement that offers an opportunity to walk quaint streets
that have barely changed in over 200 years. These narrow
single lane roadways are accented with wonderfully maintained
thatched cottages craft shops, such as the amber shop.
Valuable amber is washed up onto Fano beaches after strong spring
storms. (While there I found an exceptionally nice specimen at
water's edge.)
 Traveling south you will come to Sonderho the island's other
maritime settlement. Sonderho was founded in the early 18th
century and has been home to the same family for nine generations,
and as with Nordby, little has changed in 200 years. Sonderho
is beautifully nestled behind the sand dunes that protect it from
the North Sea and gives the village a character unlike anywhere
else.
This romantic little village is perfect for the leisurely stroll
with plenty of breath taking scenery and historic architecture.
Be sure to sample the fine eateries here, the food is excellent.
 Despite the fact that Fano Island is a very popular Danish getaway,
the beaches are so broad and long that even at the peak season you
will be able to carve out your own little private niche on the
beach. In season or out, you'll always find people on the
beach engaging in a myriad of activities such as swimming, kite
flying, picnicking, dog walking, amber hunting, and occasionally
nude sun bathing.
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