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Day 6
Next stop: Brugge Previous stop: Antwerp Return to full itinerary »

Though overshadowed by nearby Brugge, Ghent has plenty of pleasures on its own, including a similarly beautiful central area that's much less crowded than that of its big brother. The city is especially welcoming to lovers of art, both ancient and modern. It's a good base from which to explore the Liefmans and Roman breweries.
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  • Museums
  • Food and Wine

Experiences

  • Make an appointment to visit Liefmans brewery, where several tasty beers are made, including the soft dark Oud Bruin. Make sure to see the magnificent Baudelot hall.
  • Stop at Roman, a brewery run by the same family (now in its 12th generation) since 1545.
  • The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, van Eyck's masterpiece, is in St. Bavo's Cathedral. The 12-paneled work was completed in 1432 but looks shockingly modern.

Festivals

  • The 10-day Gentse Feesten is held the third week in July and features costume balls and a techno festival.
  • Patersholfeesten fills the Patershol quarter with music and parades in August.

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