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BELGIUM |
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Location:
Gent
Gent lies between Bruges and Brussels. Combine the shops and boutiques with the atmospheric stalls on the Christmas market and Christmas Sunday shopping.
2010 dates and details to be confirmed. Below is what happened last year
11 - 30 Dec 2009
Sint-Baafsplein
Every year Sint-Baafsplein is transformed into Gent's festive Christmas village. Fifty wooden huts will be offering Christmas goodies including candles, decorations, cards and more. Serenaded by a choir singing carols.
Timings
Mon – Fri 13.00 - 21.00
Sat & - Sun 11.00 - 21.00
24 Dec 11.00 - 16.00
25 Dec onwards closing at 19.00
T. +32 9 221 45 28
20 & 27 Dec 2009
Vrijdagmarkt Gift Market
Timings
15.00 – 19.00
T. +32 9 380 18 16
20 Dec 2009
Christmas Market of Micro Enterprises
Butchers Hall - (Groot Vleeshuis)
Timings
10.00 – 18.00
T. +32 9 223 23 24
13, 20 & 27 Dec 2009
Shopping Sundays
No time to buy the perfect present? Sorry, but that’s no longer any excuse. In December Gent’s city centre shops will be open on Sunday.
4 Dec – 10 Jan 2010
Open air ice rink
Slipping and sliding. Glide serenely in the shadow of the Belfry or enjoy a warming drink on the sidelines: whatever you prefer. Live jazz, folk and rock performances also feature around the ice rink.
T. +32 9 233 77 88
www.uitbureau.be
www.visitgent.be
Dining and staying in Gent
Dining in Patershol
Thirty years ago, you could buy a little house here for next to nothing. Today, the Patershol is one of the city’s most desirable neighbourhoods. For good dining, you can choose from one of the many restaurants which have sprung up in the medieval alleys. From Japanese to Thai, to delicious traditional Flemish cooking, you’ll find everything here.
Where to stay?
It won’t be necessary to spend the night in a stable. Gent’s hotels are throwing their doors wide open to you. Under the Christmas tree you will find special offers, Christmas and New Year discounts and exquisite festive menus. Early reservation essential.
www.gent-hotels.eu
www.visitgent.be |
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Gent – Flanders best kept secret
In November 2008, National Geographic Traveler Magazine published a top 109 of the most authentic destinations worldwide. The historic city centre of Gent ranked third!
An authentic, real city filled with excellently preserved buildings, monuments and art treasures. Gent is also praised for its “brilliant mix of a wonderful past and a contemporary, vibrant city”.
Gent can boast the title of highest-ranking city, being preceded only by Austria’s Wachau Valley and the area around the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. Gent beat prestigious destinations such as Lyon, York, Dublin, Istanbul and Cape Town.
What’s so special?
Gent is noted for its many beautiful medieval and Renaissance structures – some examples
- The imposing Castle of the Counts of Flanders where visitors witness medieval prison life and weaponry at this museum that was once a 12th century castle
- The Cathedral of St. Bavo which boasts a noted Rubens, and the internationally famous altarpiece ‘The Adoration of the Lamb’
- The cloth weavers' hall
- A 14th-century belfry (c.300 ft/91 m high) with a celebrated carillon
Just a few jewels Gent offers you.
Night lights
As soon as night falls, the lights go back on. Across the entire city as night falls thousands of lamps and spotlights switch on forming the Gent Lighting Plan. Not a mishmash of styles, but a carefully developed network of atmospheres and accents.
Glühwein boat
1 Dec 2009 – 31 Jan 2010
A visit to Gent is not complete without a trip on the water. Even in December. You don’t need sea legs, and all the necessary drinks are supplied. There is little likelihood of Gent’s inland waterways
freezing over. So the boats continue their voyages every day, with atmospheric music and tasty snacks on board.
Reservation is essential.
Individual: 1 Dec 2009 - 15 Jan 2010 every Sat
and Sun at 4 pm / €11.00 per person
Groups of 25 and more: 1 Dec 2009 – 31 Jan 2010
every day (except 25 Dec and 1 Jan)
€11.00 per person
Day trip in your winter coat
1 Dec 2009 – 31 Jan 2010
A guided visit to the Patershol and the House of Alijn, an invigorating lunch, a cruise on the Glühwein boat and time for shopping. Presents under the tree assured!
Reservation essential
Departures from: Graslei for both options
T. +32 9 269 08 69
Only for groups of 20 or more: €38.00 per person /every day (except Mon, 25 Dec and 1 Jan)
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Gent - Eindejaarsevenementen |
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How to get to Gent?
Gent lies at the intersection of the E17 and the E40 motorways and is therefore easily accessible by car or coach. There are two railway stations in the city and the international ‘Brussels Airport’ at Zaventem is less than an hour’s drive away.
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Christmas in Gent |
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Additional services provided:
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