A highlight of any visit to Ghent has to include a canal cruise… come on board with Bev.

A thirty minute smooth express train ride and we were in the neighbouring town of Gent. Twice the population of Brugge, but still only 250,000. Small enough to feel cosy, but big enough to stay vibrant and dynamic with modern trams. Medieval Gent was a cloth town that grew to become Europes largest medieval city (around 1200- 1300) after Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul). Today, Gent is Flanders’ biggest university town.

Mark also admiring the historic buildings along the canal!

Where’s the diver perched up there?…. can you see him?

Found him!!!

Beautiful sculptures divert our attention from the historic facades for a moment!

Hope you are not afraid of the dark – this is a 200m long canal tunnel – keep your heads down!

The stone castle is 12^th century, includes moat, turrets and arrow slits. 

Hope you enjoyed our cruise.

Before leaving Gent, Mark is checking the map for extra highlights to share with you. Saint Baaf’s Cathedral is interesting, The Belfry (bell tower – not a church tower), built 1300 as proud symbol of independence from church. The van Eyck brothers are famous Belgian painters.

The Cloth Halls (above) are gothic style and glorifies the industry to which the city owes much.

15th Century enormous 5metre red cannon used 250kg cannon balls, and was the biggest of the middle ages and luckily never put t use!!

I dont know about you, but I would love an ice-cream. …. WHAT?  . . . .  Australian Home Made ice cream in Ghent???

Back in Brugge, we ventured on a round trip of 55km bike riding enjoying quiet, idyllic countryside & canals on our ride to the northern coastal beaches of Belgium….. The Belgian Riviera?? Knokke Heist.