CHOCOLATE, beer and secret treasure hunts?
You’ll struggle to find a better family city break than Ghent, says writer Janice Hopper.
SIP BEER BOOTS
This Belgian city is built around two rivers, the Lys and the Scheldt, so a boat trip is the perfect introduction.
Drift past dramatic castles, monasteries and the Het Rabot fortified gateway during your 40-minute trip, £8.50 per adult (Debootjesvangent.be).
Then, drop by relaxed cafe Meraki to watch the boats go by from its bustling terrace.
Tuck into indulgent Belgian waffles topped with chocolate sauce while you’re there (Meraki-diner.business.site).
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The city’s liquid gold is its award-winning beer, though, so follow the Ghent Scenic Craft Beer Walk to De Dulle Griet for a choice of over 500 different brews.
Order one of the huge Max beers, £11, served in an iconic boot-shaped glass – just be prepared to exchange one of your shoes as a deposit (Dullegriet.be)!
HUNT DRAGON EGGS
Climb the 366 steps to the top of Ghent’s Belfry to spy the city skyline.
You can also set eyes on one of the world’s largest and oldest carillon drums that plays the tower’s bells, while a fab treasure hunt – searching for a dragon’s egg – keeps younger kids occupied.
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6Entry costs £9.50 per adult, under-12s go free (Historischehuizen.stad.gent/en/belfry).
Fans of comedy and Horrible Histories must visit 12th-century Castle Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts.
The audio guide is highly amusing, with tales of grisly torture. Tickets with an audio guide cost £11.50 per adult, under-13s free (Historischehuizen.stad.gent/en/castle-counts).
FILL UP ON FRITES
Hit the stalls in the small square of Groentenmarkt for a bag of cuberdons, Belgium’s famous cone-shaped, chewy raspberry-flavoured sweets with gooey centres.
Temmerman’s offers more traditional treats, like babelutten caramels and chocolate-dipped pineapple triangles (Temmermanconfiserie.com).
Or try Sophie’s Sweets & Chocolate shop on Botermarkt for Gentse Draakjes – dragon-shaped chocolate pralines with a crispy caramel filling – £13 a box (Sophies.be).
After a budget lunch? Drop by Frites Atelier for an array of chip-tastic dishes.
Our fave? The frites with parmesan and basil sauce, £5.20 (Fritesatelier.com).
By night, savour traditional Flemish food at the intimate Mémé Gusta on Burgstraat.
The rich pork and brown beer stew, £20.50 is delicious, as are the candied duck leg croquettes, £11 (Meme-gusta.be).
GET CLUED UP
Fancy some retail therapy?
Head to Serpentstraat for pretty gift shop Mus In Een Plas (Musineenplas.be), cool kids’ clothing at The Wonder Years (Thewonderyears.be), and chic womenswear at Ampersand (Ampersandshop.be).
You can keep kids entertained as they stroll through the streets by downloading the free Where Are Fosfor’s Glasses trail and following quirky clues (Visit.gent.be).
If you’re visiting between May and September, seek out Blaarmeersen outdoor city beach, with its swimming pools and fun flumes – entry is just a euro if booked in advance.
KIP WITH POP ART
The central Comic Art Hotel celebrates the country’s artistic history – both Tintin and The Smurfs were created by Belgians.
Rooms are adorned with graphic art and there are comics to flick through at the bar.
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6Breakfast is excellent, too – expect waffles, pancakes and sparkling wine.
Double rooms cost from £137 B&B (Comicarthotel.be).
FYI
Ghent’s motto, “Nie pleuje!” means “Don’t give up!”.
Plan your trip at Visit.gent.be.
Train tickets from the UK to Ghent cost from £51 each way (Eurostar.com).
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