Gent (224 000 pop.) welcomes its visitors with a roaring life of an old university town - 50 000 students stroll, discuss and go out here. Apart from Antwerpen in Flanders has only Gent a varied nightlife and a true cultural scene. Today Gent offers many beauties.

Belfort In the middle of the wide area between the cathedral and post are the towers of Belfry (1313-80) situated. It expresses the terrific power of the former urban patricians and guilds. The tower with its carillon offers a beautiful panoramic view. March-Nov. daily 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm-18pm, entrance 3 Euro. Emile-Braunplein

Graslei and Korenlei Two faces of Gent are reflected in the water of the first port: gabled strict medieval level of storage and guild houses on the Graslei, cheerful baroque facades along the Korenlei.

Gravensteen Around the year 1000 began the counts of Flanders with the construction of a moated castle made of gray stone. In the course of two centuries was the symbol of its power with 24 towers finished. The center is the 30 m high, striking hall. Later, the castle served successively as a court, as a torture chamber of the Inquisition and as a cotton mill. April-Sept. daily 9am-6pm, Oct. to March daily 9am-5pm, entrance 6 Euro. Sint-Veerleplein

Hôtel Arnold Vander Haeghen Rococo palace, 1814 the french King Louis XVII lived here for one hundred days. Mon-Fri 8am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, entrance free. Veldstraat 82

Sint-Baafskathedraal The Gent Cathedral mixes several styles. The mixture of red brick, gray stone and french limestone is unique. Cathedra April-Oct. daily 8.30am-6pm, Nov. to March daily 9.30am-5pm, entrance free Sint-Baafsplein

Sint-Niklaaskerk The half-restored church of St. Nicholas is one of the finest examples of Gothic Scheldt with its clear lines of gray scheldt stone. The view of the tower is fascinating. Mon 2.30pm-5pm, Tue-Sun 10am-17pm, entrance free. Korenmarkt

Stadhuis In late gothic, renaissance and baroque was the town hall built, and doesnot dominate a place. Its just situated on a street corner. Inside are showing magnificent halls the power and wealth of the city. May-Oct. Mon to Thu 2.30pm, entrance 6 Euro. Botermarkt 1

Zuid For the World Exposition in 1913 Gent was cleaned fine and modern. The magnificent Sint-Pieters railway station built by Louis Cloquet is an exciting example of early Art Deco, in the neighborhoods north and south are many Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings.

shopping The shopping district stretches between Belfort and University Library and the side streets of Vrijdagmarkt.            Bakkerij Imschoot Traditional bakery with specialties such as biscuits and Gentse Mokk Kletskoppen, honey and spice cake. Groentenmarkt 1                                                                                                                                                         De Kaft The largest of many secondhand bookstores. Even comics. Kortrijksepoortstraat 44

food                                                                                                                                                                       Belga Queen Stunning design in an old warehouse, on the boulevard terrace. Belgian Brasserie. Even Cafe and Bar. daily. Graslei 10 Grade Elegantly styled: cafe, bar and restaurant in the Museum Quarter. Sun/Mon closed. Charles de Kerchovelaan 79-81            Le Homard Rouge Excellent fish restaurant, a specialty: lobster and caviar. Old house, enchanting terrace at the canal. Thu closed. Ketelvest 9                                                                                                                                              Pakhuis Much humor, superb kitchen and friendly service in a spectacular warehouse. Intimate cafe with leather sofas. Tue closed. Schuurkenstraat 4                                                                                                                                            Pâtisserie Bloch Over 100 years old institution, famous for cheese and fruit cake. Sun closed. Veldstraat 60

where to stay                                                                                                                                                       Hotel Erasmus Two old patrician houses with a family atmosphere. Well-tended garden. 11 rooms. Poel 25                            Hotel Gravensteen Elegant hotel in a stylish patrician palace. 49 rooms. Jan Breydelstraat 35