The Old Forge

Den Gl. Smedie på Drejø is an unconventional travel and service company, where island tourism, local transport and handmade toys are gathered under one roof. The place functions both as a local gathering point on the island and as a practical focal point for guests who want a personal and down-to-earth experience rather than standardized package tours. At the same time, the company has developed a web-based shop with hand-painted wooden toys, which allows customers to have contact with the place all year round, even far from the island.

As a travel agent, Den Gl. Smedie distinguishes itself from many other Danish providers by combining tourist driving, bicycle rental and experiences in nature with small, tailor-made events for both small and large groups. Guests often describe the meeting with the owners as personal and informal, where storytelling about the island and its residents is an important part of the overall impression. This provides a form of closeness that many associate with a classic island holiday, and which can be difficult to find with larger travel agency chains.

Profile as a local tour operator

Den Gl. Smedie works in practice as a small, flexible player in local tourism with a focus on experiences on Drejø. Among other things, tourist tours with tractor trailers are offered, where visitors are driven around the island and told about the landscape, history and everyday life, often with humor and anecdotes. Several groups say that the host plays a central role in making the day go smoothly, from picking them up at the ferry to coordinating meals and activities.

The company also acts as a point of contact when larger events need to be arranged – for example anniversaries, excursions for associations or stag/hen parties, where logistics on a small island can be challenging. Here, Den Gl. Smedie helps put together a full day with transport, food, experiences and possibly visits to other local places, such as farms or historic buildings. This kind of practical coordination makes the company relevant for customers who are looking for more than just a single activity.

On the other hand, the strong personal dependence means that the experience is largely tied to the people who run the place. For potential guests, this can be a plus because the contact is direct and personal, but it can also make the offer more vulnerable in the event of illness, busyness or special seasons. You should therefore be prepared for the fact that there is great flexibility, but that the starting point is a small company and not a large, scheduled tour operator .

Bicycle rental and experiences on Drejø

A central part of Den Gl. Smedie's tourism offer is bicycle rental, which makes it easy for guests to get around Drejø without a car. The bicycles are strategically placed at, among other places, the ferry and at Den Gl. Smedie itself, so that you can quickly get going when you arrive on the island. Several visitors highlight the two-person bicycles, which provide a slightly different and social way to experience the island's small roads and coastline.

Guests describe the bike tours as a fun and relaxing activity that can be combined with swimming, short stops at viewpoints and visits to other locations on the island. For families with children and groups, bike rental can be a practical solution because you don't have to bring your own equipment, while also getting a flexible way to get around. On the positive side, it is mentioned that the company makes it easy to rent bikes in several places, so the logistics of short island visits are manageable.

On the other hand, the bikes are not necessarily state-of-the-art models, and some descriptions indicate that they have the character of classic rental bikes with patina and simple equipment. For some guests, this will be part of the charm, while others with high expectations for technical equipment might prefer more sporty or new bikes. For potential customers, it may therefore be a good idea to align expectations with the standard in advance if you are planning long or demanding trips.

Events, parties and special occasions

Den Gl. Smedie caters to both individual visitors and groups who want a complex daily program. There are several examples of events where the hosts have arranged bachelor parties, birthdays or club outings with a combination of a boat trip, tractor transport, a tour of the island and meals at local farms. Guests often describe that the days are well-connected and that the schedule, content and catering have been thought through.

Especially companies with mixed age groups emphasize that the activities can be adapted so that both children and adults get something out of the visit. Playing in the gardens, quiet time for coffee and cake and stories about the island's history are common in several experiences. This provides a form of slow and present tourism, where togetherness and tranquility are at the center rather than a tight program with many shifts.

There are also a few practicalities to be aware of when considering using Den Gl. Smedie for larger events. Transport to and from the island is dependent on ferry departures, and it takes planning to fit the schedule with both activities and catering. The company is used to handling these logistics, but potential clients should expect that changes in weather or sailing schedules may affect the program.

Webshop and hand-painted toys

In addition to its role as a local tourist office -like contact point, Den Gl. Smedie also runs a webshop with a focus on hand-painted, educational wooden toys. The range includes puzzles, tabletop theaters, numbers, letters and traditional jumping jacks, which emphasize play and learning with natural materials. Several customers highlight the quality and expression of the products, as something that stands out from mass-produced toys.

Customers report fast shipping, personal service and little extra greetings in the packages, which contribute to an experience of presence, also when shopping online. Descriptions of careful packaging, follow-up on deliveries and friendly communication are repeated in several reviews. This means that Den Gl. Smedie largely profiles itself on service and credibility, both as a physical location and as a webshop.

It is worth mentioning, however, that some reviews indicate that the website can seem outdated and does not always allow for the flexibility of ordering that some customers would like. In such cases, communication by email has been the solution, and several say that their special requests were met anyway. For potential customers, this means that you may have to be prepared for a little more manual dialogue if you have special needs, but in return for a personal approach that many appreciate.

Service, hospitality and atmosphere

A common theme in the reviews of Den Gl. Smedie is the personal and friendly service. Both visitors to Drejø and customers in the webshop describe the owners as committed and welcoming people who are happy to make an extra effort. From helping to put together an excursion, to following up on a package that is in transit, many experience a form of hospitality that goes beyond what is expected.

Many guests also highlight the relaxed environment around Den Gl. Smedie, where you can sit down, have a drink or just have a chat. There is mention of friendly service and a place where you quickly feel welcome, whether you just need information or participate in a planned tour. For some visitors, meeting the hosts and their stories about Drejø is just as important as the specific activities.

As a potential customer, you should also be aware that the informal style also means that communication can be less standardized than with larger players. Information can be divided between the website, social media and personal dialogue, and it requires a little extra attention if you are used to very structured online booking systems. This can be experienced as either charming or a little confusing, depending on your expectations.

Strengths for potential customers

• Personal and attentive service, where the owners themselves are often in charge of contact before, during and after a visit. Many experience that questions are taken seriously and that extra help is provided when needed.
• Flexible organization of experiences, from small excursions to full-day programs with transportation, tourist driving , cycling and visits to other places on the island. This flexibility makes Den Gl. Smedie attractive for both families, groups of friends and associations.
• The combination of local tourism and a webshop with educational wooden toys gives the company a broad contact surface. This means that customers can maintain the relationship with the place, even after the holiday is over, through the purchase of products with a special history.
• Positive reputation across multiple platforms with many satisfied customers highlighting both the quality of the experiences and the level of service. Several reviewers would like to recommend the place to others, indicating stable customer satisfaction.

Challenges and things to be aware of

• The website is perceived by some as outdated, and not all functions are user-friendly. This may require additional dialogue via email or phone, especially if you have special requests for products or events.
• The company is highly person-driven, which makes the experience highly dependent on the people who are in charge of the event. For most people, this is an advantage, but it can also mean that there is less standardization than with larger travel agencies .
• Logistics around the ferry, weather and season can affect excursion schedules. Although Den Gl. Smedie is used to dealing with these conditions, as a customer you should have some flexibility in your planning.
• Bike rentals are suitable for relaxed trips, but the technical standard of the bikes will not necessarily match the expectations of very demanding or sports-oriented cyclists. Here it may be wise to coordinate needs in advance.

The Old Forge in relation to other tourism players

Compared to larger Danish travel agencies and standardized providers of island tours, Den Gl. Smedie is a choice for those who prioritize proximity and personal contact over extensive digital systems and fixed packages. The company is not aimed at mass tourism, but at smaller groups and travelers who want a more hands-on experience. The local anchoring means that you get a first-hand insight into island life, but also that the solutions are shaped from time to time.

For travelers searching for keywords such as island tourism , local travel agency or personal travel experience , Den Gl. Smedie may be a relevant choice because the company combines transportation, activities and dissemination of local history. This applies to both day visits and longer stays, where bike rentals and arranged tours make it possible to get to know the island better. You do not get a polished, anonymous service, but rather a present and sometimes informal approach to guests.

From the perspective of potential customers, Den Gl. Smedie is particularly interesting for those looking for a relaxed, human and slightly different approach to tourism. It is a place where you can combine tranquility, nature, local knowledge and simple logistics, and where you can maintain a relationship even after the trip through the purchase of special products. For others who value a high degree of digital self-service, very strict processes and standardized concepts, other providers may be more obvious.