Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Top 10 Ghent

Ghent, the capital of East Flanders and hometown of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, is one of Belgium’s oldest cities. Dotted with canals, gabled houses and cobblestones, the bustling university town with around 230,000 inhabitants is also one of Belgium’s prettiest

Text Renée Cordes Images Corbis, Getty Images, Alamy

Dial  for Belgium

1 MARVEL at the 15th-century ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, painted by Jan and Hubert van Eyck, at Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. The cathedral was named after Ghent’s most revered early Christian saint and is among Belgium’s finest.

2 TAKE IN the spectacular view from the top of one of Ghent’s three medieval towers – the Belfry, Saint Nicholas’ Church and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. You can see all three, plus other monuments, from Saint Michael’s Bridge.

3 DISCOVER the town by horse-drawn carriage, boat or bicycle. Carriages typically depart from Saint Bavo Square for the 30-minute ride through the historic town centre, while boats leave from Graslei or Korenlei.
4 MINGLE with the locals at the Friday market on Vrijdagmarkt, the site of numerous celebrations and battles throughout Ghent’s history. Take time to admire the medieval houses surrounding the square, the most famous of which is the Toreken (‘Little Tower’), where new trade regulations used to be recited to the public.

5 STOCK UP on regional specialities at Groot Vleeshuis (7 Groentenmarkt), housed in the city’s meat market, which was built between 1407 and 1419. Here you can try mattetaart or a steaming bowl of waterzooi, Ghent’s signature dish, in the on-site restaurant.

6 FREE your mind at SMAK, the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (tel. , www.smak.be) or try the Museum of Fine Arts which has recently re-opened after renovation (tel. ).
7 VISIT the 12th-century Gravensteen (‘Castle of the Counts’), the only medieval fortress in Flanders, and its entertaining museum of torture instruments.

8 CHECK OUT the vibrant nightlife, typical of this student-filled town. Much of it is concentrated on Oude Beestenmarkt, home to popular spots Bardot, Suite 16 and Café Video.

9 TRADE a shoe for a large beer at Dulle Griet (50 Vrijdagmarkt), an old-fashioned bar that will return your footwear when you return the glass that many visitors might otherwise try to take home. The bar, which translates as ‘Mad Meg’, is named after a nearby medieval cannon.

10 DELVE into the fascinating world of psychiatry at the Dr Guislain Museum (43 Jozef Guislainstraat, tel. , www.museumdrguislain.be), housed in a 19th-century hospice that became famous for its renowned treatment of mentally ill patients (unusual at the time). ‘Isolation and Fantasy’, an exhibition of art by mental patients, runs until 14 October 2007.

High Living

Fitting fashion for men of stature and our round-up of hotels and bars in Brussels, Geneva and Ghent that will make your stay unforgettable

High and Mighty
Avenue Louise 125, B-1050 Brussels, tel. , www.highandmighty.com

High and Mighty’s reputation for quality and style is well deserved. They have been providing ‘fashion that fits’ for European men of stature for over 50 years. From the classical designs of Pierre Cardin and Polo Ralph Lauren, to the cutting edge chic of Kayak, Cottonfield and Animal, there’s something special for every big or tall man. Visit our luxurious Brussels store now open on the fashionable Avenue Louise.

NH Rex
42-44 Av. Wendt, 1203 Geneva, tel. , www.nh-hotels.com

NH Hoteles proudly presents its second hotel in Geneva: opened on 1st August 2007, NH Rex is situated in the calm residential area of Servette, 10 minutes from the heart of the city and from the UN. The hotel has 70 rooms renovated in classical 19th-century style, and offers the service and attention to detail for which NH Hoteles is renowned. Come and experience the NH atmosphere for yourself. We guarantee your stay will be unforgettable.

Villa Natka
1020 Chausee de Waterloo, 1180 Brussels, tel. , www.villanatka.be

The Villa Natka in Brussels – styled by Daniel Hechter – is an elegantly decorated restaurant, bar and lounge that you won’t want to miss. Be it for cocktails or dinner, time spent in the hip but convivial atmosphere at the Villa Natka is always a pleasure. French culinary specialities such as brandade de morue (cod) à l’ancienne or pan-fried squid will delight taste-buds. When the weather is fine, enjoy dining alfresco on the terrace, one of the prettiest in town, overlooking the swimming pool and the spectacular garden. Guests might just spot the odd celebrity or two as well.

Ghent Marriott Hotel
10 Korenlei, 9000 Gent, www.marriottghent.com, , tel. 

Situated on the banks of the Lys, the Ghent Marriott enjoys magnificent views of the city, bringing modern design to a charming location. And it’s only a several minutes walk from Ghent’s shopping district and university. The hotel has 150 luxury bedrooms and suites, and 450 sq meters of meeting space. But it’s the special touches that make the hotel feel like home – from high-speed internet access to luxurious bedding. The hotel’s restaurant Korenhuis is located in a 16th-century merchant’s house, and offers a stunning culinary experience for any kind of occasion. The hotel seamlessly blends history and modernity – just Ghent itself.

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