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