Antwerp and Ghent

I have traveled quite a bit so far in the first half of 2019, and I haven't done so much city trips as before. On this rainy weekend, my buddy Michael and me prepared for Belgium 2.0; Seeing Antwerp and Ghent.

 Ghent

I briefly and previously visited this town years ago for a scientific debate. Now I have returned to explore. Having a shorter distance and smaller overall town to walk around, Ghent is nonetheless amusing and inviting to see.

Open festivals, or the Gentse feesten were installed and happening while we visited, and gradually, the rain began pouring down and down until we definitely had to hide for at least 45 minutes. Luckily, we had plenty of time to see.

Het Gravensteen, the castle, was my favorite highlight, as it offered great views of the city, it's festivities and the people themselves. With a few impressive churches, a towncenter and a Belfort to see, we finished the tour with Vlaamsche frieten and special Belgian beer.

Antwerp 
  

The last city I had yet to see of the 4 most interesting ones in northern Belgium if you ask me, Antwerp is quite famous with Dutch tourists, as it's big, close by and familiar to us. Worldwide known for it's diamond trading and fashion, we saw the night and day life of it.

Unfortunately, the raining did not stop today or tonight either. Nonetheless, we moved on without carrying umbrella's. We saw the diamond district, the large central train station and the picturesque town center.

The market square with the statue of Brabo, the nearby churches and the old Flemish buildings were well worth a visit. Another bummer though is that some of the attractions such as Het Steen castle were getting completely renovated during our visit.

Nevertheless, we had another good short time at Belgium!