Belgium is not known as a wine producing country and actually it's not. This tradition, introduced by the Romans, vanished ages ago. From there on we concentrated on what we're good at: producing beer!
Especially Belgian abbeys are known to produce high quality beer, probably the best beer in the world (whatever the Danish might say of Carlsberg). In Ghent you can find two abbeys, both of them not populated by monks anymore, so no production of beer either.
In the seventies a group called Gentse Wijnmetersgilde (guild of wine measurers) were unsatisfied with the fact that the abbey of St Peter didn't produce beer or wine anymore. They decided to rebuild a vineyard again in the gardens of the St Peter Abbey. They don't produce a huge amount of wine, but just enough to keep the tradition alive and to serve local wine on official city receptions.
This place could be paradise: the beautiful abbey, relaxed gardens and a view on the river Scheldt and the vineyards. The perfect place to chill out or to restore from a night of trying to many kinds of Belgian beer.
Find your way with 112 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"MSK" in Ghent, or Museum voor Schone Kunsten (fine arts) doesn't look so big from the outside. For me, a walk there is the perfect Sunday afternoon...
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"Citadelpark" in Ghent, only 800m from Sint-Pieters station, is the oldest and biggest park in the city - the perfect place for picnics and outdoor games.
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"Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke" in Ghent is a shop run by my family that specialises in Belgian pralines, or chocolate! Do try our Brasil mix...
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"Le Bal Infernal" in Ghent is a used book cafe where you go inside, admire the beautiful interior and switch the books with one you have already!
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"Simon Says" in Ghent is more than a coffee bar. They offer breakfast, lunch and great cakes. I don't like coffee but it's said that theirs is the best.
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"Damberd" is the best example of that they call a 'Belgisch bruin café' in Ghent and one of its oldest bards. Very popular with the jazz crowd!
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"Yoga-on-call" is a contemporary yoga studio in the heart of Ghent. All the teachers are enthusiastic and helpful and speak English. I'm always energized.
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"Rococo" in Ghent's very cozy old neighborhood Patershol is also a cozy and romantic bar. It's known among locals as 'Betty'. Have some 'liquer d'amour'...
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"Portus Ganda" is one of the four marinas of Ghent. Its history goes back to the very basis of the city and is my favourite spot - I feel connected here...
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"BOON" is the most beautiful lunch bar in Ghent and already my all-time favorite lunch place! It is mostly vegetarian. Try the rhubarb soda, trust me.
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"The Virgin", a little fresco was revealed on November 18, 2014 in Ghent. I first followed the reaction of Pierre Pierlala, who called it an 'enlarged stamp'
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112 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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✓ 112 Insider Tips