The city of Ghent, located in Belgium, is the ideal destination for a city trip for a weekend. It is a city on a human scale, where it is pleasant to stroll through its historic centre and discover its most beautiful monuments. Its rich history does not prevent it from revealing an eccentric character, which is not without displeasing those who love the urban and trendy lifestyle. In addition to offering a large number of sporting and cultural activities, several gastronomic talents have settled here, making it a destination of choice for fine gourmets who like to combine beautiful walks, time for culture and happy moments around the table. Without forgetting the moments of relaxation offered in the city's spas, escapades are also precious moments when you have to take the time to do yourself some good. It is clear that Ghent has more than one string to its bow to offer a weekend full of pleasures

Gastronomy, for a weekend of all the pleasures

Leaving for a weekend also means taking the time to satisfy your taste buds. This is a good thing, since Ghent is the city of fine gourmets. You can plan to bring back some local specialities such as mustard, Ganda ham or the sweet pleasures of the different varieties of chocolate, iced snowballs and cuberons, these small purple cones that contain a delicious syrup. And then there are the moments spent in the restaurant. Ghent wants to welcome all gourmets, whatever their requirements or convictions, and that is why more and more vegan and vegetarian restaurants with multiple flavours and varied concepts have been created. Ghent is a real paradise for vegetarians. However, it should also be pointed out that the Belgian city has managed to preserve many places that continue to honour local gastronomy, by producing quality cuisine, with products that are always fresh and seasonal. Ghent has become an El Dorado for many young chefs who have come to create trendy addresses, with a cuisine that is fun, technical and accessible. As for the places that honour the Flemish gastronomic heritage, the LOF restaurant is a must. It is located 500 metres from the city centre, under the same roof as the Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof, of which it is a part, and takes place in a beautiful building that offers an elegant, extremely bright and relaxed setting inside. This table is one of the best addresses in the city for several reasons. First of all, the quality of the dishes must be highlighted. Here the cuisine is without fuss, local, we do not try to surpass ourselves in creativity, but to serve simple, well presented and good dishes. At the head of the concept is Ron Blaauw, the famous starred chef from the Netherlands. In the kitchen, it is the talented Jasper Maatman who represents him so well. Secondly, it should be noted that although the hotel is luxurious and upscale, the atmosphere of the restaurant is intended to be relaxed, with a very friendly, relaxed staff, close to the customer and always very professional in terms of service quality.

Ghent therefore offers different faces, we go there for its architectural beauty, for the splendour of its canals, for its overflowing cultural activity and the possibility of enjoying real moments of relaxation. It is also necessary to count on a plethora of gastronomic offers and that goes without saying, it is an additional reason to want to escape for a weekend in this trendy and undeniably charming university city

A relaxing getaway

In Ghent, there are different ways to have fun. The city has several cinemas, some of them are mainstream when KASKcinema denies itself to be the alternative place, the place where people come to see films excluded from the classical circuit. Several parks welcome parents and children, and to have a good time with the family, you can also join bowling, escape games, paintball or a bike tour. For pure and hard relaxation, spa areas are available in various locations. There is the water park Lago Gent Rozebroeken, which in addition to its various attractions, has an area that houses sauna, steam room and Turkish bath. The other option is to join the very beautiful hotels which have places dedicated to care and well-being. After a long day of strolling, you can reach the Reylof spa of Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof and its prestigious and soothing setting. Enjoy the splendid wellness pool, relax your sore muscles in the sauna or let yourself be pampered by competent professionals who perform body treatments, massages and scrubs.

Strolling in the centre of Ghent

Of course, on the occasion of a short stay in Ghent, it would be a pity to miss the must-see attractions. The city has a rich heritage that is pleasant to discover during beautiful walks in its historic centre with its medieval character. Starting with the Castle of the Counts. This medieval castle is the only one in Flanders to be almost intact. It offers a wonderful insight into chivalrous culture in the 12th century and you can access the count's residence, the ramparts, the keep and the stables. We also had a frighteningly original experience with the presentation of torture instruments installed in the former pantry. Located in the heart of the city, Saint-Bavon Cathedral reveals Gothic architecture combined with other styles, since its construction took 500 years to be completed in 1569. Don't miss taking a walk in the crypt and seeing the world-famous work "Adoration of the Mystical Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers, simply one of the most beautiful works in Belgium. Lovers of places of worship also take great pleasure in going to the foot of the church of St. Nicholas, a very fine example of scaldian gothic, as well as to the former beguinage of St. Elizabeth, a haven of peace that still gives the impression of being a small village in itself. The walk continues with the Belfry, symbol of the city that watches over the historic heart. It also reveals a flamboyant Gothic style and when you climb the steps that make you climb up, you get a sublime panorama of the city, its fervour and the horizon, with the melody of the carillon as a background sound. Museum lovers have beautiful things to see and good times around culture and art to spend. There is the Ghent Museum of Fine Arts, which has more than 600 paintings and sculptures in its permanent display. European masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present day. Opposite is the S.M.A.A.K, dedicated to contemporary art and created in 1999. It presents national and international works and is considered as the place with the most important collection of contemporary art in Flanders. Finally, during the day, or in the evening after dinner, a stroll along the Lys River is an opportunity to see the beautiful facades reflected in the water of the river. A natural spectacle to enjoy as you come to relax a little while crossing the Grasburg Bridge or sitting on the platform or on a terrace around a good Belgian beer.