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| Ghent |
Fuse stunning medieval architecture with harmonious
contemporary high-tech buildings, throw in some beautiful old squares and
picturesque canals, then spice it up with sparkling energy and you have Ghent.
Wonderfully charming, yet at the same time there is a lived-in vibe that
lets you know that Flanders’s gem is a city adored
by its inhabitants.
Ghent, in its glory years, was the second-largest city
in Europe after Paris. Take a boat trip through the heart of the city. As you drift by the Castle of the
Counts, Gothic guildhalls and the old fish and butchers’ markets, you can
almost taste its long-gone world. At night, it is almost as if you have stepped
on to a film set.
If like me, you are not one for traipsing round museums, you
can enjoy wonders such as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a masterpiece by
the Van Eyck brothers at the renowned St Bravo’s Cathedral. There is also a Rubens masterpiece which I certainly
wouldn’t have wanted to miss.
Afterwards I wandered off to soak up the atmosphere and
explore the quaint town, a compact weave of cobbled streets. Be sure to dodge
the trams and bicycles.
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| Library in the vineyards of St Peter’s Abbey |
The city is also peppered with contemporary art
and installations, part of TRACK, an international exhibition organised by
S.M.A.K (the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art) running until 16 Sept 2012, which will certainly
get those old grey cells working as you try
to fathom out the artist’s message. Well, art is supposed to
speak to you, isn’t it? One I particularly liked was a library in the
vineyards of St Peter’s Abbey. I could imagine sitting on the grass on a
hot summer’s day curled up with a good book.
Ghent is awash with
lively bars and cafés – it is, after
all, a student town – as
well as interesting and quirky boutiques. Of course, it would be rude not to
taste some chocolate. I took a nibbling tour, which is a great way to combine walking and history with
tasting local specialities such as beer at old-styled Flemish shops.
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| Street in Ghent |
Yuzu is a chocolate lover’s heaven. Prepare for your taste
buds to be seduced by Japanese-inspired creations from Ghent’s renowned
chocolatier, Nicolas Vanaise.
The food in Ghent is superb. A must is the Belga Queen. Once a grain storehouse, this
waterside restaurant will dazzle you with its culinary delights and its
contemporary chic architecture. Also not to be missed is Bord'eau. This huge
brasserie, housed in the former fish market, as its name suggests, is on the
water’s edge. Food is excellent and the views are rather special.
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| Pol, the owner of ‘Dt reupelkot. |
A trip to Ghent wouldn’t be complete without a visit to ‘Dt reupelkot. This bar which specialises in
jenever, a juniper-flavoured liquor, is a favourite haunt of both locals and
tourists. Pol, the owner has over 200 different kinds for you to try. Beware,
it is extremely potent! I only managed to try a couple including the
vanilla one. I had to leave the rest for another time. A good enough reason to
go back to this underrated city.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
It’s incredibly relaxing to reach Ghent with Eurostar. With
one easy connection, you can be there in under three hours from London St
Pancras International
Eurostar offers return fares to Ghent from £80. Eurostar
also offers connecting fares from more than 300 stations in the UK. For more
information or to book, visit eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186
I stayed at the NH Gent Belfort (/www.nh-hotels.com)
For further information about visiting Ghent contact Tourism
Flanders-Brussels on 0207 307 7738 (Live operator line, Mon – Fri) or visit www.visitflanders.co.uk
