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Holidays to East Flanders
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Holidays to East Flanders
The Belgian province of East Flanders has more to offer than just its capital Ghent. There are many small towns, each with its own story. Explore Geraardsbergen or come to Aalst to celebrate carnival.
The name East Flanders refers to the old County of Flanders, which was the trade centre of the Netherlands in the 11th century. The secession of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, which was annexed by Zeeland, virtually created the current province, which, with some 1.5 million inhabitants, is the second largest province in Belgium.
Visit the province's capital Ghent and take in the mediaeval buildings that give the city the look and feel of an open-air museum. Sint-Baafskathedraal, home to the painting 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb', and castle Gravensteen are must-sees. Catch one of the canal boats and enjoy a relaxing tour of the city from the water.
Geraardsbergen, to the south of Ghent, is where the Tour of Flanders was once decided. Feel like a real cyclist and cycle up the Wall of Geraardsbergen or the Bosberg. Two centuries-old festivals that are on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity take place on the same day in February: the end of winter bread-and-fire feast Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand, which go on into the wee hours of the morning.
Another city with a festive past is Aalst, where the biggest carnival in Belgium takes to the streets every year in the run-up to Ash Wednesday, with on Shrove Tuesday the Stoet van de Voil Jeanetten (Aalst dialect for ‘Parade of the Dirty Sissies’), a cheerful procession of men dressed as women. The city centre is also full of beautiful landmarks such as the Belfry. Affligem Abbey is just outside of Alst and well worth visiting.
With the exception of the steep hills of the Flemish Ardennes in the south, East Flanders is a flat province that is perfect for relaxing walks and bicycle tours. For information about the walking trails and cycling routes in Meetjesland, Scheldeland and Leiestreek, see the website of the tourist information centre (VVV).
Gent Sint-Pieters train station is at the heart of the East Flemish rail network, making it a good base to travel around the region. The regional bus network will get you to smaller towns. You will find the train schedules on the website of the NMBS and the bus and tram schedules on the website of De Lijn.
Ghent is a 40-minute train ride from Brussels, a 50-minute train ride from Antwerp and 3:20 from London St Pancras. If you're travelling by car, the drive to Ghent will take 3 hours from Dover or approx 2.5 hours if you go through the Eurotunnel. If you’re already in the Netherlands, schedule your drive during off-peak hours.
East Flanders is a historic and festive region where you can fully recharge your batteries.
Top Hotel Deals
Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof
Hoogstraat 36, GhentLocated in the heart of Ghent, this spa hotel is within a 5-minute walk of School of Yesteryear, St. Michael's Church and Monastery of the Carmelite Fathers. Design Museum Ghent and St. Michael's Bridge are also within 5 minutes.
NH Gent Belfort
Hoogpoort 63, GhentLocated in the heart of Ghent, this family-friendly hotel is steps away from Ghent Town Hall, Royal Dutch Theatre and Court of Ryhove. Great Butchers' Hall and Langemunt Shopping Center are also within 5 minutes.
ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort
Kleindokkaai 27, GhentLocated in the heart of Ghent, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of St. Bavo's Abbey and Portus Ganda. Ghent Museum of Industrial Archeology and Textiles and Friday Market Square are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Novotel Gent Centrum
Hoogpoort 52, GhentLocated in the heart of Ghent, this hotel is steps away from Court of Ryhove, Graffiti Street and Ghent Town Hall. Great Butchers' Hall and Langemunt Shopping Center are also within 5 minutes.
Carlton Hotel
Koningin Astridlaan 138, GhentLocated in Stationsbuurt Noord, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Ghent University Botanical Garden and Ghent ICC. City Museum for Contemporary Art and STAM Ghent City Museum are also within 15 minutes.
Ghent Marriott Hotel
Korenlei 10, GhentLocated in the heart of Ghent, this hotel is steps away from Design Museum Ghent, School of Yesteryear and St. Michael's Church. Great Butchers' Hall and Old Fish Market are also within 5 minutes.
Europahotel Gent
Gordunakaai 59, GhentLocated in Rijsenbergwijk, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Blaarmeersen Recreation Area, STAM Ghent City Museum and Jan Palfijn General Hospital Ghent. Bijloke Music Center and Ghent University Botanical Garden are also within 1 mile (2 km).
ibis Gent Centrum Opera
Nederkouter 24, GhentLocated in Kunstenkwartier, this hotel is steps away from Law Courts and Flemish Opera Ghent. Arnold Vander Haeghen Museum and Hotel d'Hane Steenhuyse are also within 5 minutes.
Top Flight + Hotel Deals
Hotel de Flandre
4.0 out of 5.0Wed, 8 Aug - Sun, 12 Aug
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£191 per person
Van Der Valk Hotel Beveren
4.0 out of 5.0Mon, 30 Jul - Sun, 5 Aug
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£277 per person
Smartflats Design - Antwerp Central
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£553 per person
Sofitel Brussels Europe
5.0 out of 5.0Tue, 24 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£283 per person
Hans Memling Hotel
3.0 out of 5.0Mon, 13 Aug - Fri, 17 Aug
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£285 per person
Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
4.0 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£445 per person
Hilton Brussels Grand Place
4.0 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£616 per person
Sweet Inn Apartments - Livourne II
3.5 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£808 per person
Hotel Sofitel Brussels Le Louise
5.0 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£478 per person
Mercure Brussels Centre Midi
3.5 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£447 per person
Quality Hotel Antwerpen Centrum Opera
4.0 out of 5.0Fri, 20 Jul - Fri, 27 Jul
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£624 per person
Top Deals on Flights
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