When we were planning the itinerary, we were thinking of going to either Ghent or Antwerp. However, we decided to go to Ghent. Ghent is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third-largest in the country, exceeded in size by Brussels and Antwerp. Moreover, some say it's the Gem of Belgium. Hence, we decided to go to Ghent for a day trip.

How to travel to Ghent from Brussel?

You can easily take a train from Bruxelles-Midi station to Gent-Sint-Pieters station. You can easily walk from Gent-Sint-Pieters stations to all the various attractions.

The citizens in Ghent are very friendly. A stranger thought that I was lost as I was standing in the middle of the station, trying to figure which exit to go. He stopped to point towards the tram station and told us to take the tram to the city. I was really thankful for his kind gesture. However, I chose to walk 20 mins to the main city area, because I like to walk to take in the view. Of course, you can choose to take a tram to the city area. It's much more comfortable and faster than walking.

It was a rainy and gloomy day in Ghent. Despite that, I enjoyed the vibe. It brought out another the other side of Ghent that I did not expect. Sometimes, you have to embrace whatever that comes your way, especially when you are travelling. That's what makes travelling so unexpected and fun.

Ghent is a gorgeous city. It has a good mix of both old and new buildings. Hence, you would felt like you have transit between the different eras. Here's the city map.

The main attractions are concentrated in the furthest area. I would recommend that you plot the areas of interested that you wish to go and draw out a map before the trip. Alternatively, you may want to take the following route.

You would be able to cover most attractions. However, I would recommend that you spend more time in the central area because there are a lot more to see and do there.

Try to reach Ghent around 10 am onwards. The city is not very busy at this timing yet. It's easier for you to take photos if you don't like having people photo-bombing you. You can easily spend a day in Ghent. So, remember to factor in enough time to spend a day in Ghent.

x, Esther

Useful Links:

• Ghent City Map

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