Long weekend in Ghent, Belgium - Urban hike through heritage

Hosted by

Bartosz

01 Oct 22 → 03 Oct 22

Guided trip

3 days

4 stops

3 Mates

Belgium

Ghent is an exceptional place! Once considered the second-largest city north of the alps, after Paris. During the Middle Ages due to its commerce, it was among the richest and most powerful cities in Europe. Today, merchants are replaced by the largest student population in Belgium. This makes the city rich in history yet lively and dynamic. Now this vast heritage is for us to pick up! 📍 About the trip We drive to Ghent from Düsseldorf, get a city card and go with the city flow. City's famous museums, churches and monasteries, houses of rich traders and city guilds as well as its water will be our focus. The plan is to discover the gems of Ghent in a small group of passionate explorers, within 48 hours. The weather may be our ally or a foe, therefore we shall work with or against it! For example, we can admire the Castle of the Counts, an imposing “Crusader style” fortress, from the boat, floating through the canals, or just get inside the castle and experience it from within. We can do both, of course if one option will not suffice. What is included in the price 💰 🛏️ Accomodation 🚗 Transportation 💳 City card With an adaptive attitude, we will approach the treasures of Ghent and taste its flavours. I believe it sounds delicious :) What say you? Send me a message if you would like to join 📬

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Belgium - Portus Ganda - Long weekend in Ghent, Belgium - Urban hike through heritage - 1

Belgium - Portus Ganda - Long weekend in Ghent, Belgium - Urban hike through heritage - 2

Belgium - Portus Ganda - Long weekend in Ghent, Belgium - Urban hike through heritage - 3

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Portus Ganda

Day 1-2

The first impression is crucial and the best view of Ghent we can get from the water. Therefore we jump on the boat and enjoy the guided cruise via canals of Ganda (as the city was originally called). While on board, our eye will definitely hang on one of the most impressive monuments of the city - Het Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) - an imposing “Crusader style” fortress. This will be our next destination. Even though the origins of the place date back to the 10th century, the current casle dates to 1180 and was built by Philip of Alsace. After going through its medieval chambers, we will climb onto the roof, from which a panorama of the city will unfold in front of us. Time for some photos!

Gravensteen

Day 2-3

This clearly will make us hungry so we shall eat finally. Local stuff ("Gentse waterzooi" for example which means "Boiled water from Ghent") or whatever our bellies prefer. If you like fish soup I know a place with the best Bouillabaisse:)) After a solid meal we walk towards Sint-Baafsabdij (Saint Bavo's Abbey). It is here where enchanting ruins allow us to find out how the city has begun. The mellow vibe of the abbey should also allow us to decide what would be the best way to conclude the day.

Saint Bavo's Cathedral

Day 3

After breakfast we go back to our urban hike and we shall start with the big guns. Sain Bavo's Cathedral and its world famous treasure - "Ghent Altarpiece". For those who saw George Clooney's 2014 film "The Monuments Men'' explanation is not needed but if you havent seen the film then let me share a quote: "The altarpiece is considered a masterpiece of European art and one of the world's treasures, it was “the first major oil painting,” and it marked the transition from Middle Age to Renaissance art". From the Cathedral we walk towards the first UNESCO world heritage site of the day - Belfry of Ghent. Built in 1313 by the people of Ghent, the Belfry has been ever since the city's proudest symbol of independence. We shall visit it and climb all the way to the top in order to get another panoramic view over Ghent. From there we should enjoy the wander through the city's medieval wonders. We should finish the day full of images and tasty provisions. In any way our apatities should be satisfied.

Sint-Michielsplein

Day 3

This is going to be our farewell to the city. After breakfast we should go to purchase some nifty souvenirs or have a final bowl of fish soup to go (I just love this one). We depart early in the afternoon and embrace ourselves for a trip back to Germany.