Venture beyond Bruges to Ghent — Belgium's most underrated medieval city — with a private expert guide along the glittering Graslei guild-house quay, St Bavo's Cathedral, and the city's thriving artisan food scene.
What to expect
Your private guide meets you at Ghent Sint-Pieters station (45 min by train from Oostende, from €8) and leads you along the Graslei, where a row of immaculate 12th–17th century guild houses reflects in the Leie river — one of Europe's most beautiful urban waterfronts. St Bavo's Cathedral reveals the recently restored Ghent Altarpiece, Jan van Eyck's 1432 polyptych and arguably the most important painting in Western art. A stroll through the Patershol quarter — cobbled lanes, artisan fromageries, and chef-driven bistros — ends with a private tasting of local Ghent mustard and Tierenteyn specialities.
Good to know
Train from Oostende to Ghent: ~45 min, from €8 (SNCB direct). Ghent Altarpiece viewing: EUR 10–16 (timed entry, book ahead at sintbaafskathedraal.be). Coordinate with your private guide on the train meeting point. An 08:30 departure from Oostende gives a full, unhurried day with comfortable return before all-aboard. Ghent is less than 1 hour from Oostende — an outstanding and crowd-free alternative.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Oostende (Bruges) — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.