Hotels Gent

Ghent in Belgium, sometimes spelt as Gent in Flemish, is the unsung city of Flanders. Sitting neatly between Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp, this pretty little medieval city is often overlooked by tourists doing the Belgian 'Big Three'. However for those who prefer escaping the tourist tours and exploring more unusual destinations, Ghent's charms are well worth exploring. Located along a canal, visitors will be surprised by the excellent array of attractions, restaurants, entertainments and hotels Gent has to offer.

Ghent's history is intriguing and the city was the largest in Medieval Europe, outside of Paris. It sits where the Scheldt and Leie rivers join and was once the ceremonial home of the Counts and Countesses of Flanders. The castle of Het Gravensteen, a fearsome and imposing structure, is still visible today. In the middle of the fourteenth century, Ghent had a reputation for being Europe's most important producer of cloth, importing English wool and employing thousands in mills. The people of Ghent were known for their battles, protecting their civil liberties against attacks from the ruling classes and violently protesting against the heavy tax regime of the time. A historical 'celebrity' was also born here; Charles V, one of Europe's most important rulers, was born in 1500, in Ghent.

Nowadays the local people still haven't lost their spark, but the city has a more peaceful feel, it's the province of East Flanders' capital and also the largest university town of Flanders.

Gent is a lovely place to visit year-round, with the exception of deep winter. A particularly good time to visit is during the Gentse Feesten; a lively festival where local culture, history, music, beer and entertainments are celebrated with lots of processions, events, noise and color. It's a very busy time of year for visitors, so book flights and hotels well in advance. There are some wonderful quality hotels Gent has to offer, but the best will get booked early by returning visitors and those in the know!

Apart from the festival, there's plenty to see and do. The architecture is a particular draw for culture buffs and there are many imposing and elegant old gothic buildings around the city, particularly around Graslei old Harbor. The grand and towering medieval cathedrals are also a great sight and the Castle is located nicely in the central square, which is the largest area free from any cars and motorbikes in Belgium. It makes for a very pleasant, calm atmosphere and a great place to enjoy a drink at one of the many restaurants and cafes without dodging traffic or breathing in fumes! There are plenty of good restaurants too along the canal and Belgium food tends towards the hearty and well flavored; although there are many international offerings available too, at great quality and to suit different budgets. Ask around for recommendations or do your research in advance if visiting for a short while.

Other notable places to visit include the famous Design Museum, which displays furnishings from history, including the Renaissance period and all presented in a striking and modern building. There are some fun displays, including the lurid 'retro' section and temporary exhibits to enjoy too. There's also a fantastic museum of contemporary art, which holds some important paintings and sculptures from some of the world's leading artists and the city also has a great selection of historical and special interest museums. Also check out the shopping areas for a mix of high street and designer names, as well as quirky little boutiques and interesting independent stores, some of which sell excellent locally designed jewelry, clothes, traditional crafts and more.

In terms of travel, Ghent is an easy train ride from Brussels and takes around 45 minutes. To get to Brussels many UK visitors choose to travel by the Eurostar and the journey can be done quite economically by train.

Once there, visitors will find plenty of hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotels gent offers, all or very good quality. Prices vary widely from basic hostel dorms for backpackers, to luxurious 5 star hotels with spas, excellent restaurants, health suites, bars on site, entertainments and more. Again, it's worth doing some research in advance to see what will best suit your circumstances.

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