The next time you decide to set off on a self-guided trek to Europe, consider venturing away from the well-known tourist stops to see what might await you in the smaller nearby towns. For example, after taking in the beer, chocolate and culture of Brussels, a short train ride will take you to the town of Ghent. A stroll through this university town will bring you back into European history while simultaneously experiencing the vibrancy of a town filled with the energy of 32,000 students attending Ghent University.
Start our trip by getting an overview of the city via a guided Ghent River cruise. Just stroll down to St. Bravo's Square, the center of the city near the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie Rivers. (The name Ghent derives from Ganda which is the Celtic word for confluence.) Here you will find rows of boats waiting to provide narrated historical tours of this city. When gliding down the river, see how the occasional modernist structures will jut out from the rows of riverside cafes, houses and shops.
At the conclusion of this boat tour, you should have enough of an overview that you can begin a walking tour. Pedestrian signposts will enable you to find your way around without having to consult a map ever few minutes. If you want free maps and additional information, stop by the Ghent Tourist Office (Botermarkt 1).
Before setting out to see the sights, stop by for a light lunch over at the Great Butchers' Hall (Groot Vleeshuis) and learn how the Flemish pair beer and chocolate with Belgium bites. When touring this covered meat market that was home to the butchery trade until the 19th century, be sure sample some Ganda ham as well as varieties of beer, chocolate and cheese. "The key to budget travel is to plan ahead. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new spots we have never been before, the truth of cost and budgeting is generally in the back of our thoughts. Preparation and spending our travel budget properly is a concern for most families. Minimizing expending and fees, while still enjoying your vacation to its fullest, is the key to certain achievements and fiscal liability. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thinking behind economizing money while touring is simple: Even if your personal funds is extremely tight, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also remembering that while traveling, no matter whether on a budget or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel bill!..". Those looking for a bit of background to Belgium beers might want to peruse The Lonely Planet's guide on this subject. Afterward, nibble on some frikandal (sausage snack) and Belgium fries you can find on a nearby cart. Also, look out for any carts selling cuberdon. This a chewy sweet known in Flanders as neusjes (noses) cannot be sampled outside of the region due to their short shelf life. Also, mustard lovers will want to stop by Tierenteyn-Verlent (Groentenmarkt 3), a shop located next to the Great Butchers' Hall where you can take home some traditional mustard made from the original recipe dating back to 1790.
Next, any trip to Ghent must include a stop by St. Bravo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafsplein), home to the Van Eyck brothers' artistic creation Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Then spend your afternoon exploring Gravesteen (Castle of the Counts) (Sint-Veerleplein 11), a 12th century castle situated in the heart of the Ghent. The castle's rugged architecture provides a stunning backdrop to the museum's collection of armor, torture implements and other castle accoutrements. Be sure to climb to the top and snap some panoramic aerial photos of the city.
Conclude your ancient-future foray by checking in to the Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof (www.sandton.eu/gent). Cap off a full day of walking through history with a swim, sauna and steam bath in the modernized Wellness center. Then head out for a late night dinner at any one of the many restaurants dotting the river. Simply put, you cannot find a bad restaurant in this town. But if you would like some recommendations, skim through The Guardian's top ten recommendations on where to get the best eats in Ghent. After dinner, consider sampling a shot or two jenever, an alcoholic drink native to Belgium that you can sample in over 200 flavors such as lemonade and chocolate.
Wake up to a full continental breakfast. If you need to remain connected, then check your email courtesy of their free wi-fi. Then head out for another day of your European adventure.
For more information on booking your trip to Ghent, log on to Visit Flanders.
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