Following years of preparation, the inauguration of the new Royal North Sealand National Park is to take place on 29 May 2018, with HM Queen Margrethe officially opening the National Park.  Denmark is widely considered to be the world's best country for cycling and this unspoiled natural playground is perfect for relaxed exploration on two wheels. It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that this enticing corner of Zealand, Denmark's largest island, is the location for one of the Slow Holiday company Inntravel's self-guided cycling breaks which make the most of glorious landscapes.  Here, expect gorgeous coastal villages, superb seafood, beaches of white sand with brightly coloured beach huts, and small stylish hotels.

The Royal North Sealand National Park, to be Denmark's fifth, is set to cover 64,900 acres with the forest of Gribskov and the lake of Esrum Sø at its heart. Gribskov is one of Denmark's largest forests, with centuries-old oak trees, rich fauna and flora, and prehistoric sites. Esrum Sø, the second largest lake in the country, is noted for its clean waters, recreational facilities and the 10th-century monastery Esrum Abbey at its northern end. With an interest-packed interior, there is a plethora of historically significant sites that span from Stone Age to more recent times, including dolmens, tumuli, medieval ruins, castles and royal palaces.

The Danish Riviera (also the name given to Inntravel's cycling holiday) is where all the laid-back cycle-loving Danish city dwellers go to take it easy. The Slow Holiday company's well-signed and largely flat routes along country lanes and cycle paths skirt the sea and take in both forest and farmland, including some of the National Park area. En route call in at artisan producers of schnapps and chocolate, linger over a picnic of open crab sandwiches in the manicured grounds of one of the royal castles, enjoy a dip in the sea, and drink in the sweeping views along the coast.

Inntravel cyclists pootle between three welcoming hotels on this holiday. Highlights along the way include: a pretty route inland to visit the Royal Palace of Fredensborg, known as the 'Danish Versailles'; catching the train to investigate the Karen Blixen Museum in Runsted; and pedalling north to the walled coastal town of Helsingor, where Kronborg Castle was the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. One particularly lovely day offers cyclists the choice of heading south to Frederiksborg, Denmark's most magnificent Renaissance castle, or cycling up to the abbey of Esrum, where the monks continue to brew beer and make their own honey and mustard. 

Price: Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk 01653 617000) offers self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling along the Danish Riviera from £1,195pp based on two sharing, including six nights' B&B accommodation, four dinners, luggage transfers, route notes and maps and cycle hire. Available: 19 May-30 September 2018.  Flights to Copenhagen are extra. Also available is a 4-night short cycling break, Danish Castles & Coast from £755pp.

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