The main station in Ghent is called Gent-Sint-Pieters, and offers links to all the main cities in Belgium, also Lille. There are four stations in total, Gent-Dampoort (links to Sint-Niklaas, Antwerp, Kortrijk and Eeklo), Gentbrugge (regional train station), Wondelgem (regional train station) and Drongen Station (regional train station). Eurostar trains between Brussels run around 10 times a day, then to access Ghent, passengers can change onto domestic lines (SNCB) on to Ghent. A typical rail journey between Bruxelles-Central and Gent-Sint-Pieters will take you approximately 36 minutes.
Eurostar
travellers between Ebbsfleet International and Ghent have average journey times of 2 hours, 45 minutes; the route passes through Lille and Brussels. Highspeed rail is a popular form of transport when reaching Belgium, because its domestic rail network is so well-developed that visitors can reach any Belgian city via train. The best time to visit is summer so visitors can sight-see on foot and enjoy the nightlife.
Ghent is in the Flemish part of Belgium. It is both the capital city (which began as a settlement at the join of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys) of North Flanders and a borough with a port and a university. It was a significant city in medieval times as one of the largest and richest in northern Europe and currently the third largest in Belgium with a population of 235,000.
The Gentse Feesten (“Ghent Fests”) are held every year here, last 10 days and attract around 2 million visitors annually. Much of the original architecture, both medieval and Renaissance, is still intact and open to the public. Ghent is the main textile and banking centre of Belgium.
The city centre has the largest pedestrian zone in Belgium. Prices vary throughout the city, but the most expensive area (especially for food) is near the Belfry. Cycling is a popular way to travel, but visitors are advised to bring their own strong padlocks and chains due to theft. Visitors are also advised to exchange money before leaving.
Points of Interest
The Gravensteen
The only surviving residence of the counts of Flanders, from the 12th century.
The Old Harbour
In the centre of the city, flanked by the Graslei and the Koornlei.
Vrijdagsmarkt
The "Friday Market" is both the square and the weekly market held therein. It is important to the city because in the past some of the most significant events were held here. There is an excellent view of the surrounding medieval buildings.
Geeraard de Duivel Steen
The Castle of Gerald the Devil was one of the first houses to be built of stone. Today it is an archive, but it was originally the home of Gerald, a man who is said to have killed each of his five wives to remarry the next.
The Cloth Hall
The home of Ghent's textile trade and industry.
The Hospice
Also known as 'Children Alijns', this museum of folklore was founded in memory of murdered children (due to a feud between the Alijn and Rijm families) by the murderers themselves as penance.
Patershol
The city quarter has previously been famous for its cloth trade, residents of importance, inns and brothels. Now it is an area of Ghent filled with fashionable restaurants.
Attractions
Ghent Nightlife Bars and cafés: Dulle Griet (Vrijdagmarkt 50), Café Pane e Vino, De Hopduvel, Café den Turk, Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. Casinos: SMAK.
The Three Towers
St. Bavo's Cathedral
The Belfry
St. Nicolas' Church
Shopping in Ghent Vlaanderenstraat with one-off boutiques Patisserie and Delicatessen shops The Groot Vleeshuis- selling a variety of Flemish produce
Sauna Aqua Azul
Ghent Illuminated- at night the whole city is lit by an award-winning light plan.
Alpes Vaudoises
Alpes Vaudoises is a beautiful tourist attraction with 74 lifts and 220km of downhill pistes, it has a 6 seater chair lift and takes 2000 people each hour.... Alpes Vaudoises, Switzerland
Andermatt
Andermatt has two mountains the highest being 2344m with a 4 seater chair lift and the other with a height of 1842m with a 2 seater chair lift. Andermatt has an excellent selection of accommodation with a total of 19 hotels, many of the hotels have fitness facility''s, with ice skating, curling and hiking.... Andermatt, Switzerland
Arosa
Arosa has skiing covering 70km of marked pistes served by 16 lifts. There is a Swiss Snow Walking Event in January designed as a keep fit regime.... Arosa, Switzerland
Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana is a sophisticated resort, located above the Rhone Valley. There are 160km of pistes and 50 runs covering the mountain slopes.... Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Davos
Davos has 307km of skiing with 62 lifts including 2 mountain railways, 10 cable cars, 8 chair lifts and 31 drag lifts.... Davos, Switzerland
Engelberg
Engelberg has a 12km long run, it is dominated by Mount Titlis at 3200m yet has been largely un-discovered by British enthusiasts.... Engelberg, Switzerland
Fiesch (Aletsch)
Fiesch has a cable car and chair lifts up towards Eisenlucke at 2722m. The Aletsch ski region with 100km of downhill slopes and served by 33 lifts.... Fiesch, Switzerland
Flims-Laax
Flims-Laax Flaera ski resort has 220km of well kept slopes to suit every skier, 70 percent of the slopes are freshly prepared each day. There are 91 restaurants and 3 clubs.... Flims-Laax, Switzerland
Grindelwald
Grindelwald has 44 lifts with links to Oberjoch and Mannlichen and ample snow throughout the season.... Grindelwald, Switzerland
Gstaad
Gstaad has 250km of ski runs in the region, the longest being 17km and snowboarders are catered for with big quarter-pipe, big table jump, freeriding... Gstaad, Switzerland
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