A place where real people live, work and play. Ghent.

Ghent, with its criss-crossing waterways and canals and magnificent old gabled buildings, is not only picture box pretty but has the distinction of being a real city, with a strong character of its own.

Maybe it is because it is a university city and its students endow it with youthful vitality; maybe because it has an industrial core that has stopped it from becoming just a beautiful living museum or perhaps it is because Ghent is Flanders’s second largest port with its influx of cargoes and crews from all parts of the world. Whatever it is Ghent pulses with life.

Before hitting the shops take time to discover some of the city’s landmarks.

Most of us start off on St Michael’s bridge trying to take the perfect picture of the city’s three landmark towers and the bustling waterfront before making our way to the massive cathedral of St Bavo. Its huge underground crypts with their frescos are magnificent but it is the painting by the van Eyck brothers that draws the crowds. And the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb really is worth seeing. Painted in 1420-32 it is a huge work with some 240 characters in it – also look close at the exquisitely painted landscape, 42 species of plants and flowers have been identified.

Even higher than the cathedral tower is that of the Belfry topped with a dragon – a symbol of the wealth and power of the 14th century guilds. It is a handy landmark as the Tourist Information Office can be found in the basement.

Ghent has one of the most brooding castles imaginable. Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, built it in the 12th century. Some of the much restored castle is open to be public but what most people remember is the gruesome torture museum and the fantastic view out over the city from the top of the keep.

With museums ranging from art and design to psychiatry it is just as well that it is possible to buy a three-day museum card giving access to 15 of the most important museums and monuments.

Exploring on foot can be really tiring but another way to get a lasting impression of Ghent is to take a boat ride round its beautiful waterways, or failing that you can always relax in a horse-drawn carriage.

Ghent is a fascinating place for foodie shoppers. A good starting point is probably the Groot Vleeshuis where beneath the medieval wooden roof of the old meat market you can enjoy a meal and then shop for some of the local specialities in the enticing deli.

If you see waterzooi on the menu – try it. It is a comforting dish, almost a soup-stew made with leeks, carrots, celery, potatoes and parsley with either chicken or fish as the protein.

And then there is mustard. On the Groentenmarkt is a tiny shop – Tierentyn. You can buy all sorts of preserves here but it is most famous for its mustard, perhaps to accompany the local produced Ganda ham. Fresh mustard is made on a regular daily basis and jars can be filled to order to take home. Taste cautiously; some of the mustard is so hot it can bring tears to the eyes. Should you be in need of something to drink after all the tastings make for the bar at the end of a tiny alley off the market square. Don’t ask for one of the delicious amber brews of Flanders beer for this bar sells only genever - some 200 varieties of this gin-like spirit.

Ghent has some pretty lively markets too ranging from flea markets, crafts, flowers, produce, birds and animals should you be in the city over a weekend.

There is always something going on in Ghent – music, exhibitions and all kind of events. It even hosts an international film festival. And should you decide to go to Ghent during the second half of July you cannot fail to be drawn into the festivities of the Gentse Feesten when this liveliest of cities excels itself in its 10-day celebration of sheer joie de vivre.

Visit www.visitflanders.co.uk for more information.

Our ferries to Ghent.

Norfolkline provides ferry services to Dunkerque from Dover with a crossing time of under 2 hours with up to 12 ferry sailings per day in both directions. Our full sailing schedule between Dover and Dunkerque is presented in the routes section.

We offer great ferry fares and have regular special offers, so book a great value ferry fare between Dover and Dunkerque online with Norfolkline.

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