Things To Do in Naestved

Our favorite pastime here is a canoe ride on the River Suså, with its calm waters, running through the west side of Næstved. It doesn't have rapids and its current is negligible, so maneuvering by canoe is fairly easy. On summer weekends, the river is crowded with others who like to go canoeing too. Boats can be rented at Suså Kanoudlejning, Næsbyholm Allé 6, near Glumsø (tel. 57-64-61-44), costing DKK100 ($17/£10) per hour or DKK370 ($63/£37) per day. The outlet for rentals lies at Slusehuset, at the southern end of Rådmanshavn.

As you stroll through the town, you'll come upon antique buildings, the most notable of which is Apostelhuset, a half-timbered house on Riddergade (just south of Skt. Mortens Kirke) that dates from the Middle Ages. "Apostle House" has carved figures of the apostles on the beams of its 16th-century facade; each carries an object that symbolizes his martyrdom. These are some of the oldest, and certainly the best-preserved, timber-frame carvings in the country. Nearby you'll see Løveapoteket, an old pharmacy in a restored half-timbered structure from 1853. The building is in the Dutch Renaissance style, and medicinal herbs and spices are still grown in a garden out back.

The central square of town is Axeltorv, and all of the major sights of town are within a short walk of this historic area.

There's plenty of shopping in Næstved itself, with no fewer than three major shopping centers. Every day in summer, the streets in the heart of town echo with the sounds of a jazz band, and there's a market at Axeltorv Wednesday and Saturday mornings. All the shopping malls in Næstved stage free exhibitions and shows.

The best mall is the Næstved Stor-Center, Holsted Allée (tel. 55-77-15-00; bus: 2), the major shopping center for all of South Zealand, attracting shoppers from Møn, Falster, and various hamlets for many kilometers around. Located less than a kilometer (1/2 mile) north of the center, it's dominated by the giant Bilka supermarket (it's so large that they refer to it as a "hypermarket"). The mall's more than 50 specialist shops sell handicrafts, glass, jewelry, clothing, gifts, and dozens of other items.

Each of the hotels recommended above maintains a bar, but in addition to those, you'll find easy access to at least three pubs, any of which might act as a backdrop for some drinks, dialogue, and people-watching. The watering holes follow an unpredictable, frequently changing schedule that incorporates an hour or two of live music, usually on Friday and/or Saturday nights, beginning around 9pm. However, everything in town is very spontaneous, so be alert to whatever musical venue your hotel staff says is happening during the time of your arrival. A worthwhile bet for nautical atmosphere and camaraderie is Rådhus Kroenm, Skomagerrækken 8 (tel. 55-72-01-56), rivaled only by Underhuset Bar, Axeltorv 9 (tel. 55-72-79-19). Equally appealing is another pub, Step Inn, Ramsherred 14 (tel. 55-77-01-08).