We’re continuing our visit with “sunny Ghent” this time. What can you visit in Ghent when the weather’s on your side? Well, of course, all I told you about last time, for who can do more can do less, right? …but it might be a pity to stay in so… “Let’s go outside!”

First of all, don’t hesitate to loose yourself in the streets. The city isn’t very big, so everything can be done by foot (and if you feel tired at any point, there’s always the bus or cable-cars).

On sunday, you need to take full advantage of your morning (markets generally end around 1pm) to stroll through the various markets the city has to offer.

The Bij Sint-Jacobs flea market

If you like jumbles of bric à brac and various oldies, this is the place for you! Old vinyles, kitsch postcards, vintage clothes and finds of another era.

Ajuinlei’s book market on the banks

 you’ll often find dutch versions, but it’s not a rare thing to find books in english or even in french. Or books on travel, cinema, fashion with beautiful (in these cases, language doesn’t really matter, right?). In any case, digging is a must!

The Kouter flower market

this isn’t a very large market, but the locals come to compose pretty bouquets and to talk for hours around a glass of white wine and oysters. There’s a really great ambiance.

Vrijdagmarkt square

a great place to stop for a drink on a café terrace. This is also where my outfit pictures were shot, at the end of the post.

Visiting the city by boat

when it’s nice out, don’t hesitate to opt for a city boat tour! You can admire the city through another angle. You can choose between open or covered boats (depending on if you want to perfect your tan or if you want to keep your hair in place).

A nighttime walk

 By day, the city is magnificent, but at night, it’s even more magical. A romantic stroll is very cliché, but it always does the tric. When we went, the Christmas market was still open (what luck!). There was a very festive ambiance, and I was constantly tempted by the culinary specialties that were calling out to me from various booths.

As for the outfit, this time I chose to wear my jeans dress that I wore this summer. I warmed it up with my Prince de Galles coat and a thick scarf to make the dress come to the winter side. I’ll be back very soon with my good food addresses, for there’s plenty to talk about there! (English translation by Bleu Marine)

Chapeau Urban Outfitters
Manteau / coat ASOS (déjà vu ici)
Écharpe / scarf Urban Outfitters
Robe / dress ASOS (déjà vue ici)
Collants / tights Mat Opaque Wolford
Sac / bag ASOS (déjà vu ici)
Boots Pistol Acne

Last weekend I was in Ghent, Belgium. Again?!! I hear you ask! Indeed, I recently visited Antwerp, as well as Bruges and Brussels a few years ago… But this time, I was kindly invited by the tourist office of Flanders: they must have felt that the Belgian virus was taking over me slowly but surely.

And so I discovered a city somewhat resembling Bruges, but with a more genuine charm as it’s less crowded by tourists.

Even though I were invited, I had a complete freedom in the choice of my visits, and I really did as usual, i.e. I tried to glean some good addresses from locals, and have tested most places by feel.

I could get a taste of a bipolar Ghent. A “grey/rainy” day and a “tropical sun” day (exaggerating just a tad), therefore I thought about dividing my post in 2:

– one episode with “what to visit in Ghent when it’s grey”
– one with “what to visit in Ghent when it’s sunny” (there will also be a food bonus of course).

Today we start with Ghent the grey (Lord of the Rings fans, enjoy) and its visits’ ideas accordingly.

Gravensteen

the numbered trail allows to discover the different rooms of this castle, sometimes fascinating, sometimes scary (= the room dedicated to torture instruments of that time: Brrrr! Faint-hearted, beware! And from the top of the donjon you can get a panoramic view of the city.

Belfry of Ghent

once again, height lovers will be spoiled. (For the lazy, an elevator is available, and for the scared lazy, a bench is available at the ground floor)

 

Saint Nicholas’ Church and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral

breathtaking architecture and scenery. The cathedrale includes “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, a painting on wooden panels by the Van Eyck brothers, favorite piece of art of the inhabitants of Ghent.

Het Design Museum

a good way to avoid the rain but not only. Design lovers will find what they’re after, with quite some contemporary design (like this certainly veeery comfy chair with mattress springs?), but also art deco.

The SMAK or Museum of Contemporary Art

which I would have loved to visit but due to a lack of time we weren’t able to make it. So I’ll leave the surprise to you, you can tell me about it.

Of course, there’s a lot more to see when the weather is grey, like the Museum of Fine Arts or the local bier brewery, the Gruut. My list is far from being complete. And fyi, there is a “City card” that allows access to all monuments, museums and transportation for 48 or 72 hours.

Style wise, for the greyish day, I was dressed up almost all in black with my long coat-which-beware-might-make-look-shorter-but which-is so warm-that-never-mind-if-I-look-like-a-Hobbit-I’m-just-feeling-good-in-it.

A few touches of burgundy and leopard and there I was ready to explore the city! See you on the next post for… “Let the sunshiiine in!” Get your shades ready!(English translation by LN)