Head to Belgium to attend the Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival).
It’s a very important annual urban “street” festival that extends throughout the city of Ghent in Flanders.
Numerous cultural events are organized, and the entire city center becomes an “open-air nightclub” for 10 days and 10 nights, with different musical settings everywhere, a crazy atmosphere.
The festivals have existed since 1840 but have become very famous since the 1960s.
The 2022 edition is estimated to have attracted more than 1.6 million visitors.
We booked a hotel that’s a bit out of the way, but you can get there on foot: Hotel Den Briel.
The weather forecast is perfect, no rain.
We arrived by car in Ghent, Flanders (Belgium), at the Hotel Den Briel. It’s easy to park here, and perfectly located for participating in the Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten), we reached the city center on foot.
But before that, we booked a boat tour to see the city from the canals, just like in Venice, Italy!
We arrive in the city center of Ghent, the “Gentse Feesten” are just starting tonight… So we take the opportunity to visit the city center and the market square.
Head to Graffiti Alley (Werregarenstraatje), a street that has been completely tagged since the Ghent Festival in 1995. Street art is perfectly represented here.
Breakfast at Wally Tea Room in Ghent, we tried a true Belgian and Dutch specialty: Bitterballen.
Small, round breaded croquettes filled with meat, served with pickles, pearl onions, and sweet mustard sauce.
We go to Ghent City Hall and especially the Multipurpose Hall (pictured), a true work of art.
We can see that preparations for the start of the Ghent Festival have begun this evening.
Then, head to the Belfry of Ghent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A short stroll along the quays of the Graslei and Korenlei, along Ghent’s centuries-old rivers and canals, in this case the Leie Canal.
It looks like a mix between Venice and Bruges!
The brick houses dating from the medieval period are magnificent, typical of Flemish architecture.
A must-see spot is the Gothic Saint Michael’s Church in Ghent (Sint-Michielskerk).
A traditional Belgian chip shop = A must-visit for me!
Large portion of delicious belgian fries with a special Fricadelle and Samurai sauce, served with a Belgian beer*.
There are also other chip shops in Ghent, but I always prefer the real chip shops; they’re much better.
Tradizionale doppia cottura del grasso di manzo e del bintje.
Traditional double cooking of beef fat and bintje.
Dive into the heart of the Middle Ages in Ghent with a visit to the Gravensteen Castle. It’s a magnificent castle, and you can climb up for a superb view of the city.
Here are some photos of the castle, the armor, the tapestries, the ramparts, and there’s even an old torture chamber…
We’re heading to the former Abbey of Saint Bavo in Ghent (Sint-Baafsabdij).
A very interesting visit and a magnificent site.
Founded in the 7th century, this abbey was once one of the most influential religious centers in Flanders and flourished during the Middle Ages before being dismantled in the 16th century at the request of Charles V.
And right next to it, there is a Japanese fresco representing the wave of Kanagawa.
Belgium is the land of beer. We’re going to visit and taste the Gruut Brewery (Stadsbrouwerij Gruut Bvba) located in the city center.
Be careful, alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DL-WWWnNvoh/
Dinner at a super nice local restaurant, “Amadeus Gent 1 – Patershol.”
I had a Ghent-style Waterzooi, a delicious “northern” dish.
Normally, Waterzooi (at least in the North of France, Ch’ti) is made with fish, but here it’s a variation with chicken.
