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