Destination Ghent, Flanders

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.

Ghent

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.

Tasting local specialities - beer

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.

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.

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

Travel to Ghent with Eurostar. For more information or to book, visit eurostar.com 

I stayed at the NH Gent Belfort (nh-hotels.com)

For further information about visiting Ghent visit visitflanders.com

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist