Glowing Gorgeous Ghent

Belgium adds an extra special shine to the beautiful and historical city of Ghent with a one-of-a-kind Flemish Festival of Lights, held every three years.  This celebration dates back to medieval times and has since grown into a modern marvel of thirty sparkling attractions guaranteed to brighten up your winter!

Upon arrival in the city center, your guide will introduce you to the top historical sites and many cultural offerings you can visit during your free time here. But first, we embark on a guided boat tour, exploring Ghent’s canals and waterways, where spectacular views of both the ornately decorated medieval architecture and modern contemporary buildings come together in perfect harmony.

The remainder of the day is yours to independently explore the wealth of sites and attractions the city has to offer.  Sprawling pedestrian areas make the city easily accessible and a joy to explore on foot.  In the heart of Old Town, which looks very much like it did 500 years ago, marvel at the buildings that stand as a perfectly preserved showcase of early Flemish architecture. Follow Hoogpoort, the main street of the city, to the magnificent and dramatic St. Bavo's Cathedral and Castle of the Counts where you will find some incredible works of art and other historical treasures.  Amongst the maze of cobblestone streets are some of the country’s best restaurants along with Belgian chocolate shops with beautiful window displays where an assortment of delicious pralines are presented like jewels.  A trip to Ghent would not be complete without sampling the street food and culinary classic of Frietjes, potatoes which have been fried twice to a golden color and heavenly crisp.

As the daylight drifts to dusk, the city center comes alive in a vivid blaze of light, illuminating the rich architecture of Ghent in a blend brightness and shadow.  The buildings, squares and plazas glow in a magical, mystical twilight created by thousands of lights.  Stroll the cobblestone streets under the night sky and re-discover the city with 30 carefully crafted twinkling displays of light created by a team of local and international lights artists.  Marvel at the rainbow of illuminated color that washes over St. Bavo's Cathedral, Castle of the Counts, St. James’ Church, Town Hall, Book Tower and many other architectural gems. RTT invites you to journey with us to this special event, only offered every three years, escape the winter blues and dive into a radiant ocean of light.