Have you ghone to Ghent ever? Planning a trip. Come and advise

[BelindaCarlisle]

October half term. Eurostar. Two nights

Yes - it's lovely. Very similar to Bruges and Antwerp. Really pretty and not particularly touristy.

Ace. I’m thinking Tuesday lunchtime to Thursday late afternoon so two Hotel nights.

Can you remember where you stayed?

Very pretty - not nearly as many tourists. We do day trips often for a look round the shops and lunch on the terraces by the canal.

We stayed at Hotel Harmony, which was pretty good.

We stayed at Hotel Harmony too and it was lovely. We had a massive family room which worked really well and bonus was there is a rooftop pool - we were caught in the June heatwave and it was a lifesaver, especially as you can order drinks straight to the pool 🤣
Really great breakfast as well. Will be staying there again when we go back, minus kids lol x

We stayed at an aparthotel near Dampoort station. 15 mins walk to city centre; 2 mins to the station for direct train to Brugge. We'd really recommend it. It's not a pretty part of town (currently being regenerated) but the building is brand new.

www.adagio-city.com/gb/hotel-b857-adagio-access-gent-centrum-dampoort.shtml

Ghent is so much nicer than Bruges. Go on the boat tour with the free choc ice, go and see the cathedrals and enjoy a waffle overlooking the river.

Gravensteen Hotel is great, very central and right next to the castle. The Marriot is on the river but quite expensive. We stayed in a beautiful apartment through Booking.com right next to the river too.

Great city. Beautiful churches, Korenlei and Graslei canals, Het Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts), good shopping choices, Botanic Gardens and Citadel Park in the south of the city.

I've only had day trips there so don't know about accommodation. Have a great trip. I'm sure you'll love it.

We went over Christmas once and stayed on a canal barge through air BnB. It was the barge that the hosts live in as their permanent residence and we stayed in the original self contained captains cabin.

I absolutely loved ghent

We stayed at the Ibis right next door to the cathedral. Was perfectly fine for a couple of nights.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelReview-g188666-d206734-Reviews-IbissGentCentrummStBaafssKathedraal-GhentEasttFlanders_Province.html

Make sure you buy some of the jelly 'noses' to try. I also remember (but not the name of, frustratingly) a fantastic mustard shop that was centuries old.

You must go to the Cathedral and see the alterpiece, 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' by the Van Eycks. It's probably my favourite artwork ever, so much incredible detail, it's unforgettable.

Belfry tower worth going up in addition to things mentioned by others. Plenty of places to eat near the river.

Ghent is a wonderful city and one I would go back to in a heartbeat.
Great culture, boat trip, shopping and food.

https://www.wasbar.be/ Most random concept (laundrette/cafe) but amazing bagels.

Books n Booze is a must visit shop. They do a beautiful limited run gin too.

Just seen the Yalo hotel with disco toilets fgs

Thanks! I love religious art so that’s a def. Plus bagels.

Noses AND mustard. This is excellent

It is one of the loveliest cities I've ever been to.

We stayed at the Novotel which was perfectly situated in the centre and close to all the sights. If you’re going at half term I’m guessing you have DCs. The family rooms were great and it also has an outdoor pool.

I’d also recommend a boat tour, climbing up the tower but also Graffiti Street is worth a walk down. There was also a brilliant chicken restaurant on one of the main squares called Poule & Poulette with bonkers seating on two levels. I still dream about the chicken vol-au-vont!

No to kids

If you like ribs, give Amadeus a try - there are a couple in Central Ghent. They bring you a huge rack of ribs with a jacket potato and salad, then keep bringing more ribs and potatoes over to you
Also there is a lovely place over by the castle which showcases produce from Flanders so you can get wonderful cheese and meat platters with local beer. There are huge legs of meat drying from the ceiling. You must try the Delirium Tremens beer from the local brewery - though there is a reason it's called that.😁

adding all this to my list. Has anyone been to the restaurants LOF or roots?

books n booze looks hilarious