Melig

We have only done daytrips to both cities over 10 years ago, but we have this memory of how comfortable and cosy Ghent was with some imposing/ dramatic architecture in some areas. We do remember Antwerp having a lot more beautiful architecture but it felt less comfortable with more urban neglect especially when we walked towards the waterfront. I wonder if our memory was actually inaccurate or perhaps colored by our mood, weather or food when we were there. Anyone care to advise on which city is better to spend 2 nights? We always drive in Belgium and have never taken the train there. We are light in museum more into food, cafés and outdoor strolling.

Ruby99

I can't say for Antwerp, but I loved, loved, loved Ghent and would go back in a heartbeat. Have a car will give you more flexibility of course, you aren't even restrained to living in the actual city.

We stayed at De Waterzooi b&b while we were there, right across from Gravenstein castle. It was absolutely wonderful. We are food, atmosphere, cafe type people too... you are making me long to go back!

Enjoy your trip

IMDonehere

We preferred Ghent by a large margin over Antwerp and we stayed at a wonderful but small place Snooz Inn.

http://www.snoozinn.be/#!snooz-inn---eng/c14ki

StCirq

We were in Antwerpen last week and didn't notice any urban neglect or anyplace uncomfortable near the river or anywhere else. It's been years since I was last in Ghent so probably not wise to attempt to compare, but we loved Antwerpen.

PalenQ

You have been to Bruges? If looking for a lot of the few imposing architectural areas that Gent has. Gent is far more a largish city than Bruges as Antwerp is to Gent.

Antwerp oozes imposing architecture -just not the medieval type of Gent to a small extent and Bruges all encompassing.

Antwerp has one of the most famous streets with Art Nouveau architecture, which is also scattered throughout the city but especially in its SE quarter that was built in the period of a few decades around the turn of the century during Antwerp's heady days as one of the world's largest and most important cities - in Cogels Osylei:

https://www.google.com/search?q=coge...w=1745&bih=868

Antwerp has the orthodox Jewish section opposite the main train station where you can tour the diamond factories or polishing shops and buy or just gaze.

The waterfront has been spruced up and itself to me is an awesome vestige of architecture in its wrought-iron sheds hinting at days when Antwerp was one of the world's major ports.

Gent's main train station is called the Cathedral by locals for good reason - it's one of the most ornate train station structures in Europe:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antw...w=1745&bih=868

2 days in Gent - would be one day too much for me, having been thru and stayed there at least 30 times on business but each to his/her own of course - Gent is neat too in a different way which the OP may like better. I'm sure they've been to Bruges but if not that city fits far more their desires than Gent IMO. If so for you Gent, for sure over Antwerp - for those interested in museums probably Antwerp with its world-class Flemish art museums.

If driving between Gent and Antwerp be sure to stop by St Niklaas and relax at a cafe in one of Europe's largest town squares:

https://www.google.com/search?q=st+n...w=1745&bih=868

MyriamC

<<Gent's main train station is called the Cathedral by locals for good reason>>
I don't think so!!! <b>Antwerp</b> Central Station is called the Railway Cathedral, for obvious reasons.

In Antwerp, don't just visit the historic centre (which, by the way is excellent for cafés and strolling) but also the trendy 'Eilandje' neighbourhood in the north of the city.

The Art Nouveau neighbourhood mentioned by PalenQ is great for a stroll, too. This neighbourhood is called Zurenborg and concentrates around Cogels-Osylei, in Antwerpen-Berchem.

joannyc

I've spent a couple of nights in each and I would choose Ghent.

I liked Antwerp but much preferred Ghent.

Myriam, I think it was just a typo on PalenQ's post. He/she did provide the link to Antwerp's train station.

Whathello

I sont m'y militant instruction in Antwerpen.
Very nice city.
My brother spent his military duty In gent
He loved the city. Gent is quainter less industrial has canals and huge universities
You'll like antwepen you'll love Gent.

PalenQ

MyrianC- I mean Antwerp! -for the grand train station - thanks for the correction - my pictures with it were of the Antwerp Centraal station - I think I got the 'cathedral' from you in earlier posts.

Melig

Thank you everyone!
I decided to save Antwerp for our next trip as our dutch acquaintances/relatives are willing to drive us there. They all enjoy going to Antwerp so I was probably going to the wrong places.

Too late to get any decent B&B in Ghent so we settle for the Marriott but we're frustrated by the fact that we cannot get into any of the celebrated restaurants in Ghent (Oak, Vrijmoed, De Vitrine). I hope someone can recommend another great place to eat in Ghent?
We would actually consider driving to Antwerp to eat well, any special lunch recommendation in Antwerp Myriam?

Palenq: We will be staying in Bruges for 2 nights though we are dreading the long tourist lines, crowded streets and lace shops everywhere. We felt like we were trapped in a theme park.

I would appreciate a fun boat tour recommendation for Bruges (maybe with drinks and a more personalized narration). Is there perhaps a tour for locals only? We both grew up speaking dutch at home and can understand normal Flemish.

brookums71

Ghent!
Here is my trip report. The first 3 days are Ghent.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-suitcase.cfm

joannyc

I stayed at the Ghent Marriott using points, it was very nice. I was upgraded to a Jr. Suite.

https://www.rewards-insiders.marriot...ge/11958#11958

I tried looking for a good restaurant I had dinner in but can't find it on the net. The name looks like Tngang or Jngang in my pic but like I said I can't find any reference to it on google. House of Elliott is supposed to be good based on a friend's recommendation.

In Brugges, I liked Pieter Pourbus.

MyriamC

I apologize, PalenQ.
I'm in <i>'I'm from Antwerp, so I'm automatically cooler than you'</i> modus.

For lunch in Antwerp, try to get a reservation at Lunch Lounge Het Gebaar. They don't take reservations for Saturday lunches, though.
http://www.rogervandamme.com/

Gent:
Roots http://www.rootsgent.be
Volta http://www.voltagent.be
J.E.F. http://www.j-e-f.be/
Benoit de Witte in Ouwegem (20 km from Gent) http://www.benoitdewitte.be
Fleur de Lin in Zele (30 km from Gent) http://www.restaurantfleurdelin.be/

Tulips

I would say have lunch at absolutely gorgeous restaurant 'The Jane' in Antwerp, but it is almost impossible to get a reservation.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/05/de...-winners-2015/

Het Gebaar, as Myriam suggests. Or if you want to push the boat out, 't Zilte on top of the MAS museum.

Melig

Myriam & Tulips: Thanks for your excellent restaurant tips! I only wished I had asked sooner. I am super thrilled to secure a table at Roots, the other places are already full for the last week of April.

Any foodie restaurant recommendation for Bruges or Leuven?

I hope to be as lucky as Joan to get upgraded at the Marriott. Enjoyed reading brookums trip report, thanks for sharing.

joannyc

Brugges restauant recommendation was "In Brugges, I liked Pieter Pourbus."

MyriamC

Brugge restaurants that get good reviews from foodie-friends are
Bistronomie Lieven http://www.bistronomie.be/nl/bistro-9/lieven/

Or if you want to splurge:
De Jonkman http://www.dejonkman.be/nl
Hertog Jan in Zedelgem, near Brugge http://www.hertog-jan.com/

PalenQ

I apologize, PalenQ.
I'm in 'I'm from Antwerp, so I'm automatically cooler than you' modus.>

No apology needed - especially if from Antwerp - note I did not mention the red-light district! (Which I think Gent has too!).

brookums71

Thanks Melig!

Melig

Thanks Myriam, I'm requesting a table at Lieven, it's very close to where we're staying so no driving required which is a great thing after wine drinking. We'll try the Michelin places hopefully on our next trip in September.

Joan: Pieter Pourbus looks like a great place to eat, but of all days the restaurant is closed on the 2 days that we will be staying in Bruges.