GENT FOR TWO

Is it high time for a few days of quality time together? Why not choose a weekend in Ghent. In this charming city, you can get lost in the many hidden streets and admire the beautiful historical buildings from the water. It's guaranteed to be full of romance.

MARTINE VAN DER DEIJL PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S STYLING: LINDSAY DOLMAN

An overnight stay at Van der Valk Hotel Gent makes the romantic atmosphere complete. Especially when you book the Pink & Golden Suite. This suite exudes warmth and luxury with pink and golden color accents. The open, marble bathroom with rain shower and bathtub is a real eye-catcher. It is the perfect room for lovebirds. To make it even cozier, you can order the 'Romantic Package' when booking the suite. The hotel will make sure that a bottle of cava and a Ghent delicacy are ready for you upon arrival. In addition, the room will also be decorated with rose petals and heart-shaped balloons. Love is in the air!

DISCOVER THE CITY CENTER

From the hotel, you can reach the bustling center of Ghent by car or public transport in just fifteen minutes. Or rent an e-bike at the reception and cycle to the city in less than twenty minutes. Once there, you can experience the Ghent atmosphere at one of the many terraces on the Graslei. Here you can also take a boat ride and view the city from the water. Then, the Gravensteen, a medieval castle in the middle of the city, is definitely worth a visit. Another must-see hotspot is the Belfry. This 95-meter high tower is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbolizes the urban prosperity and independence of the city. After these cultural stops, it's time to shop, because in Ghent you will find the coolest boutiques. Be sure not to miss the Groentenmarkt. This cozy oldest city square, surrounded by historical buildings, is the place to taste local delicacies such as warm 'gestreken mastel' (a flat cinnamon bun, spread with butter) or 'Gentse neuzekes' (cuberdons with a raspberry syrup filling). And for a nice drink, café 't Kanon just a few steps from the Vrijdagmarkt is recommended. End the day at perhaps the most beautiful spot in the city: the Sint-Michielsbrug. From here you have a great view of the Graslei, the Korenlei, and the three iconic towers of Ghent: those of the Sint-Niklaas Church, the Belfry, and the Sint-Baafs Cathedral. Especially when the sun sets, the scene is downright picturesque.

THE VEGETABLE MARKET IS THE PLACE TO TRY LOCAL DELICACIES

RELAX AND DINE IN STYLE

After a nice day in the city, you can fully relax in the wellness center on the ninth floor once back at the hotel. Enjoy the saunas together or relax in the hammam. Don't forget to take a look outside for a view of the Gent skyline. For a romantic dinner, you can choose from three different restaurants at Hotel Gent. If you're in the mood for refined French-Belgian dishes, then Restaurant Cocotte is perfect. Prefer Japanese cuisine? Then don't miss out on restaurant Mr. Sato on the tenth floor. Here, the best authentic Japanese dishes are served. You will also find the sky bar with a rooftop terrace on this floor where you can enjoy delicious bites, fresh sushi, and a cocktail. For a cozy Italian dinner, you can visit the recently opened restaurant Limoncello. Here, pizzas are prepared in a stone oven and the Italian chef prepares the most delicious pastas. Of course, you end the evening with a glass of homemade limoncello. Besides the truly Italian food, the lemon trees in the interior also make you feel like you're in Italy. That makes the romantic weekend in charming Gent complete.