Ghenting around Belgium

A two and a half hour drive from Amsterdam will bring you to Ghent, a charming city full of castles, churches, chocolate and wallpaper stores. It's a college town, so many young people flock to the bars and steps along the canal for socializing and imbibing. Tours are offered along the canal for a 6.50 euro fee after all the shopping, belgium waffle sampling and afternoon wandering. The captain will give some historical anecdotes in the language of your choice.

Ghent is super small compared to the likes of Amsterdam but overly impressive with its medieval flare. It has museums (where "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" painting from "The Monuments Men" film is located) along with a belfry with a 12 foot dragon at its peak and a masked angel sculpture atop the abby. But the big draw is its lighting plan. In the evening Ghent is lit up! The lighting artist, Atelier Roland Jeol, worked with the cities urban planning department to develop the international award winning system.  

You should definitely spend the night and Ghent yourself some treats for the road.