Saturday, June 29, 2024

Ghent Belgium -Travel Journal -Part -3

 

Ghent Belgium

After visiting Burges next day we went to Ghent. It was one of the most important cities in Europe . Ghent is a beautiful, quaint city. Winding, narrow, cobbled streets interweave locals and tourists throughout the city. With sweeping bridges and ornate cathedrals, it’s a lot of beauty to take in. Ultimately, it’s magical, and as a tourist, We felt lucky to spend an afternoon there.

 

 

It’s a pleasure to explore the charming historic center of Ghent on foot, filled with narrow streets, beautiful facades, and lively squares .Ghent is a great walking city. With plenty of pedestrian areas is to just wander and walk around.

 

 The city is built on the confluence of two rivers – the Lys (Leie) and Scheldt (Schelde) rivers, which contributed to the city’s wealth in the Middle Ages – they could tax the boats on grain as they travelled through from France. Along the river, you will see the beautiful stepped gable houses and other notable buildings such as the old meat market.

 

 We had an eventual destination, but from the moment we arrived, we just walked toward whatever interested us. A great entry into the central part of the city, we crossed over the Sint-Michielsbrug bridge.

 

This view of St Michaels Church in Ghent Belgium from the bridge is framed by the dark green branches of a tree from above, the bridge is lined with tourists and has the beautiful church architecture in the background.A narrow street in Ghent Belgium lined with shop windows and tourists coming and going. Bunting flags are lining the street from above crossing the street horizontally from opposite buildings.

 

Another great option for getting around Ghent is to take a canal tour. Thee view of Ghent from the water is absolutely charming. One of the city’s most noticeable landmarks and the pride of the people of Ghent are the canals that run through the city.

 The Ghent Canals have been used by ships to travel through the city since the 11th Century and they have played an important role in the culture of the city ever since. In addition to their practical use, they are also part of what makes this city so beautiful and charming. It’s a relaxing way to see the city from a different perspective!

The Gravensteen Castle

The Gravensteen dates all the way back to 1180. It is a very cool medieval castle that is definitely worth checking out. The castle was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1354 and has served various other purposes throughout its life.

 

While the castle is really impressive to see from the outside, especially from the water,  We didn’t went inside

St. Michael’s Bridge (Sint-Michielshelling)

One of the prettiest spots in all of Ghent has to be on the St. Michael’s bridge.  Known locally as Sint-Michielshelling, the bridge is in the epicenter of everything that makes Ghent the charming city that it is.  From the bridge, you can capture a picture of all three of Ghent’s famous towers in a row.

Graffiti Street

Werregarenstraat, also known as Graffiti Street, is a constantly changing canvas of street art. It’s a unique and colorful place to visit – although it may be a place for young and inexperienced artists to practice, you can see some really cool piece and it’s a great vibe!

 

Graffiti on every surface through the alley — some in the traditional graffiti style, some like artwork. I’ve been told the graffiti changes over time so either they start anew or keep layering it on top. Either way, it’s worth a short or a long walk to just admire or to take photos. I seriously can’t explain how enthralled I was by it. Simply saying graffiti wall, it sounds cool, but not all consuming. Walking through the alley, with colors everywhere, it’s a truly unique experience.

 

Ghent is a beautiful, picturesque city waiting for you to uncover its charms. It is a hidden gem, and I highly recommend adding this destination to your travel list. With its enchanting canals, majestic cathedral, historic castle, charming cobblestone streets, and scenic bridges, Ghent makes for a perfect day trip and a budget-friendly destination.

Knokke-Heist Belgium  

We stayed in Knokke-Heist just opposite to North sea. Nestled on the north-east coast of Belgium, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, historic buildings, spectacular scenery, and panoramic views. It is also a city that lies very close to the Dutch border.

 

Look for the orange roof tiles of the coastal villas or give in to the lure of the stately shopping avenues and charming polder villages. Well-thought-through contemporary architecture adds a little spice to the mix.

 

 The wide beaches with their soft, golden sand, which is just perfect for building sandcastles. You can Find a comfortable beach lounger to sip your drink, or take a refreshing plunge in the white-crested waves of the North Sea.   

 

where the beach grass gently sways in the breeze. Both of the 18th-century windmills offer travelers the opportunity to briefly step back in time to see Belgium’s old architecture at its finest.

No comments: