Travel

Ghent, Belgium, Complete Tour

We are visiting one of the great cities of Europe, and yet it is not very well known, which makes Ghent, Belgium, a special destination that you would love, and be happy to spend several days there. The waterfront along Graslei Canal in the center of town, with its 500-year-old buildings, is one of the great parts of the city. And there are so many other things to discover in Ghent, Belgium, a city that you might not be very familiar with. Corn market is one of the most popular gathering places, with restaurants and bars and shops busy with locals and visitors night and day. A top attraction is this spectacular castle, 800 years old, walk along its fortified wall and explore the many rooms inside. Then bombard your senses with a walk down Graffiti Alley with pictures changing all the time. This 91-meter-high belfry tower was built in the 14th century, and you can go up to the top for a splendid view, looking out over the central part of Ghent. Fans of Gothic architecture will love visiting inside the cathedral. No admission charge, but if you want to see one of the greatest paintings in the history of art, you pay a small fee -- the masterpiece by John Van Eyck in a chapel surrounded by stained glass. The streets of Ghent are perfect for strolling. Take a walk. Sit down at a sidewalk restaurant and watch the people go by. Have a meal. Have a drink. Just enjoy this beautiful setting. Get around with the convenient tram system and see other parts of town with green parks where you can get away from the city and take a stroll. Check out the canals and visit some of the museums. We'll be taking you to four of the major museums of town later in the program covering art, history and technology. And then how about a boat ride, a 45-minute journey on the water, passing so many of the great old buildings of town, ending back at that beautiful central canal where we are going to spend some time. It's curious that Belgium and the city of Ghent are not very well known to visitors compared to the other busy countries of Europe. Belgium gets relatively few tourists, and yet it's a fantastic place to visit. And Ghent is one of the best of all Belgian cities. As you're about to find out. Located in Flanders in the northern part of the country, just 30 minutes from Brussels by train, easy to reach. The historic center of Ghent is compact, just 800 meters wide with so many things to see. And we'll take you beyond that to show you the rest of town. travel videos & photos at: https://townsofeurope.com/ with text, maps & links.