We had heard nothing but wonderful things about Belgium from some of our closest friends in Barcelona. Bikes galore, adorable towns and countryside, Belgian waffles, hand-cut fries, mussels, and thousands of tasty beers to choose from; whats not to love? So we decided to take a quick trip to Belgium for my birthday in December. We had a difficult time deciding whether or not to actually go on our adventure at the last minute, because Brussels (where we were flying into to) was on security lock down due to the fact that a few of the leaders of the Paris attacks were said to be hiding in Brussels and there were rumors that it was being targeted next. We were assured by the friend we were planning to stay with who lives and works in Brussels that we would be fine, and so we decided to go ahead with our trip, and are so glad that we did!
We landed early in Brussels airport and hopped on a train straight to Ghent, a quaint town about a 45 minute train ride from Brussels city center. We stored our luggage in lockers at the train station and explored the rain soaked streets; well protected by our rain gear and umbrellas, while we watched brave bikers ride to and fro on the glimmering cobblestones. It was incredible to see how many people use bicycles every day to get around to work, the grocery store, meet friends for coffee, etc. Many bikes are left in dedicated bicycle parking lots at the train stations; thousands of them lined up one after another, some locked, some not, a beautiful picture of trust in their community. What a simple way of living.
The city center is the largest car-free area in Belgium, and is so fun to walk around and explore! Be sure to check out the Gravensteen Castle, the Belfry of Ghent, the tallest Belfry (bell tower) in all of Belgium and is one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city center. Also, be sure to stop in at the Himschoot Bakery (address: Groentenmarkt 1 9000 Ghent). Established in 1880, the Himschoot bakers bake at night so customers can enjoy freshly baked breads, home made jams, and incredible pastries each morning.
Since it was drizzling and fairly chilly most of our day in Ghent, it gave us a good excuse to stop in a number of different shops, cafes, and restaurants to dry off and warm up. Our favorite cafe that was recommended to us by the sweetest local woman, was Barista Coffee and Cake. Located right along the Leie river, this was the perfect spot for a steaming hot cup of coffee and a Belgian hot chocolate. Grab a seat by the window and warm up in this cozy nook while watching the bikers wiz by.
What better to do on a gray day in Belgium than find a local pub to enjoy some good beer and a hot bowl of soup? Another recommendation by the sweet woman who told us about Barista cafe, was a pub called t'Gouden Mandeke. When you walk down the steps into this charming pub you feel like you're stepping back in time. The dark wooden beams that stretch across the ceiling and the traditional Belgian decor that covers the walls make this pub the perfect place to sit and relax for an hour or two. We ordered a few beers from their wide selection on tap, and enjoyed a bowl of 3 euro broccoli soup while we warmed our feet by the wood stove that blazed next to our table for two.
If you're looking for a great day trip while visiting Belgium, Ghent should definitely be on your list!
Labels: Barista Coffee and Cake, Belgium, Belgium Blog, Day trip to Ghent, Ghent Blog, Ghent in the rain, T'Gouden Mandeke, The Road Less Traveled, Travel Blog, Travel Photography, TRLT, Visit Ghent
