| Gent, also known as Ghent, is an incredibly | | | | 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. |
| popular destination in Belgium. The word | | | | |
| "Gent" is actually the Dutch spelling for the | | | | The Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of |
| city of "Ghent" and the two terms are often | | | | the Counts of Flanders, at Sint-Veerleplein |
| used interchangeably. Gent is filled with | | | | 11 was built by Philip of Alsace in the late |
| exciting things to see and do and travellers | | | | 1100's. The word Gravensteen is actually |
| will not be disappointed by the recreational | | | | Dutch which, when literally translated means |
| offerings in Gent. Travellers can immerse | | | | "castle of the counts." It is the very first |
| themselves in the culture and history of | | | | stone castle erected in Gent. Prior to the |
| Belgium by seeing the myriad abbeys, | | | | Gravensteen, only wood structures existed. |
| beguinages, churches, castles, historic | | | | Finally, the Gravensteen has been restored to |
| landmarks, and museums strewn throughout the | | | | its former glory and a number of medieval |
| city of Gent. | | | | displays can be viewed within the castle: |
| | | | offering viewing enjoyment for the entire |
| Gent was, at one time, second only to Paris | | | | family. |
| in terms of popularity and size. In the | | | | |
| 1830s, Gent showed the significant signs of | | | | Food & Drink: |
| industrialization, as more and more factories | | | | |
| were established within the city. Gent is a | | | | Those in the mood for seafood can dine at |
| thriving city, one that possesses a | | | | Vier Tafels on Plotergracht 6. The Vier |
| population of well over 500,000 people. It is | | | | Tafels is a bar and a restaurant, offering |
| also estimated that well over 30,000 people | | | | international delicacies, wines, cocktails, |
| travel into Gent each day, for work and | | | | fresh seafood, salad, rice, salmon, Gambas, |
| social activities. Since 1950, the city has | | | | mussels and more. Vier Tafels is honoured for |
| undergone a significant phase of revival: the | | | | its universal cuisine, so there is something |
| canal has brought many businesses into Gent. | | | | for everyone's palate. |
| Currently, with its transportation network | | | | |
| and many working opportunities, the city of | | | | 'T Keteltje at Nederkouter 1 is the |
| Gent continues to thrive and it is the | | | | perfecting dining spot if one is looking for |
| capital of East Flanders, Belgium. | | | | a romantic dinner while staying in Gent. |
| | | | Fully dressed tables and a variety of season |
| Places of interest: | | | | dishes make the 'T Keteltje one of the finest |
| | | | places to dine in Belgium. Likewise, the De |
| The city of Gent holds so many things to see | | | | Foyer Brasserie at Sint-Baafsplein 17, is |
| in do. Travellers can get the perfect scenic | | | | housed in the former Royal Dutch Theater. The |
| overview of the entire city by touring the | | | | De Foyer serves fine dishes like tomato |
| Belfry or the Castle of Counts in the | | | | crevettes, grey shrimp, chicken waterzooi, |
| historic city of Gent. In fact, from the top | | | | crème brulee, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, |
| of either location, other famous sites are | | | | and tarts, among other incredible desserts. |
| easily viewable; sites that include the | | | | |
| Veerleplein, the Vleeshallen, the St. Niklaas | | | | The Chez Leotine Restaurant at Groentenmarkt |
| Church, the Library of the University, The | | | | # 10-11 also serves Waterzooi, Flemish Beef |
| medieval harbour, St. Michiels Church and | | | | Stew, and frites. Waterzooi is a unique |
| Gent's shopping centre. | | | | Belgium dish, much like Cream of Chicken |
| | | | Soup, that has chicken, carrots, celery and |
| In the heart of Gent, travelers will also | | | | onions in the mix. After having your meal at |
| find St. Baafs Cathedral, a historic building | | | | the Chez Leotine Restaurant, travellers may |
| filled with biblical artwork. The artwork in | | | | find that the size of the servings offered |
| St. Baafs Cathedral includes images of Adam, | | | | there has left little to no room for dessert! |
| Eve, and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden; | | | | |
| the Tree of Life; the Holy Cross, and the | | | | Hotels & Accommodation: |
| images of the different counts of Flanders | | | | |
| also appear in the Cathedral. Further, the | | | | Minotel Gravensteen |
| cathedral holds the tombs of the Flemisch | | | | |
| Bishops and houses four pillars that were a | | | | Hotel Den Yzer Gent |
| gift from the Tudors of Britain. Finally, the | | | | |
| cathedral possesses some of the most stunning | | | | Hotel Ibis Gent Centrum Opera |
| stain-glass art imaginable. | | | | |
| | | | Holiday Inn Gent |
| While in Gent, travelers shouldn't miss out | | | | |
| on touring the fifteenth century canon, now a | | | | Campanile Gent / Gand |
| monument, located near the Vrijdagmarkt. The | | | | |
| Vrijdagmarkt is a square in Gent, offering | | | | Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere |
| opportunity for the travellers and residents | | | | |
| of Gent to get a taste of medieval life by | | | | Carlton |
| viewing the existing medieval architecture. | | | | |
| | | | Entertainment: |
| Things to do: | | | | |
| | | | Travellers looking for entertainment can |
| While staying in Gent, there is certainly no | | | | enjoy the nightlife of Gent when they stop |
| lack of things to do. First, travellers will | | | | into the Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. The |
| want to make sure they see as many of the | | | | Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant at Groente |
| churches and cathedrals as possible, because | | | | Markt 9 offers a fine choice of beers, both |
| no two churches are exactly alike; each | | | | guest and seasonal. Weary travellers can rest |
| church holds its own unique artwork and | | | | and relax as they sip at the beer of their |
| architecture, thereby making each religious | | | | choosing and take in the scenic view of the |
| site seeing destination more difficult to | | | | canal. |
| pass up while touring the city! | | | | |
| | | | Families can also take in a little culture |
| The Sint-Baafskathedraal Cathedral was built | | | | when site seeing at the Alijnhuis, a museum |
| in the fourteenth century. | | | | located at Kraanlei 65, that offers hours of |
| Sint-Baafskathedraal in St. Bavo's Square has | | | | viewing entertainment and enjoyment. With |
| no entrance fee, unless the traveller is | | | | craft rooms, displays portraying medieval |
| looking to view "The Adoration of the Lamb," | | | | life in Gent; bridal artifacts and the like, |
| a prized and cherished painting by Jan Van | | | | the Alijnhuis proves entertaining for the |
| Eyck. The entrance fee to see Van Eyck's work | | | | entire family. Finally, some children's games |
| is nominal, and the cathedral is open from | | | | are offered at the Alijnhuis. |