Stedentrip Gent

About the destination: Spiritual bulwark of Flanders, second Belgian port and major industrial centre, Ghent is also a university city that has a feeling of vitality. Built at the confluence of the Leie and the Scheldt, the city is crisscrossed by numerous canals and waterways. Hometown of Charles V, Ghent is full of history and monuments, and old neighbourhoods and docks are full of poetry. The lighting makes a simple evening stroll into something extraordinary. Gravensteen, meaning castle of the counts in Flemish, is an impressive sight. Built in 1180 by Philippe d’Alsace, count of Flanders, Gravensteen Castle is a worthwhile visit for anyone who enjoys history. Featuring walls that measure two meters thick, Gravensteen includes a torture museum, showcasing various torture methods that were once used at the castle. The Gravensteen Castle is located on the eastern bank of the river Leie, right in the heat of Gent's historic city centre. The impressive gothic cathedral is one of the landmarks of the city. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is a beautiful structure with so many things to see inside that you should think of it as a visit to a museum. The tower rising up in front is impressive, one of the three tower that dominates the city centre, the others belong to Belfort and St. Nickolas church. The cathedral houses the famous altarpiece painting, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The Belfry Tower, Belford, was erected in 1380 as a symbol of the self-governed and independent city of Gent. It was later also used as a treasury and watch tower. The Belfry is one of the three towers, which dominate the skyline of the historic city centre. The Brabant Gothic style tower is 91 metres tall and can be climbed for panoramic views. The third tower that dominate the skyline belongs to St. Nicholas' Church. The church was constructed in the 13th century and is the best example of Scheldt Gothic in Belgium. One of the oldest churches of the city it stands right in the heart of Ghent. Beautifully classical, Ghent is a compact, authentic city where the past and present co-exist in perfect balance.

About the destination: Utrecht is both the geographical centre of Holland, and one of its major university towns as well as one of one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, with a compact medieval centre set out around canals unique to the Netherlands. National demonstrations often start here, book and print shops dot tiny streets throughout the old tonw, and in summer, people sit near the Oude Gracht, the old canal. The Old Town of Utrecht really is a pleasant place to wander with its varying architecture and its uniquely-structured canals. As to be expected there are some magnificent churches, the most interesting being the Dom Tower and the remains of its church. In the 17th century, a hurricane separated the Domtoren, an imposing tower, from its cathedral. Don’t let the 465 steps to the tower put you off, the view is splendid. The cathedral’s chapel and enormous clocks are fascinating. Across the street is the Kloostergang, part of the cathedral’s Gothic cloister, a perfect place to sit down and relax, and listen to a Saturday morning carillon concert. The city has a fine number of museums, most of them situated in the Museum Quarter at 10 minutes walking distance from Central Station. Utrecht is known as a student city with a large population of single young people. This results in a booming nightlife with many places to have a quick meal, some drinks or a dance.