When Flanders’ food is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is frites. Which is fine because chips are fantastic, but there’s more to the Belgian region’s cuisine than fried potatoes, especially in Ghent. Here, a bright, modern food scene is flourishing among the historic spires – offering a compelling alternative to southern Europe’s blistering heat.
I stayed in the wallet-friendly Ibis Budget hotel, where bikes are helpfully available to rent. In Ghent, this is a must. Cycling is by far the easiest way to get about, and it’s safe here too, since cyclists have right of way over cars and there are separate cycle paths connecting every street in the city.
