Since Ghent is very close for us, this makes us end up here with our offspring from time to time when we have an empty agenda. We love to wander around Ghent for a few hours. Ghent has a lot to offer, but with the little ones we take it easy. Relaxation for us and for them. Ready to hit the road with our family?
7 am - ready for the day
The kids are up and running... The day may start. Jeanne already wants to take off her pajamas and pick out clothes right away. She doesn't need much help. She knows exactly what she wants. The green dress and the soft jacket we recently bought at Filou&Friends are taken out of the closet. Ideal for the unpredictable weather of the last few days: rainy one moment, sunny the next. Today Cesar is wearing a cool blue sweater and a cute dungarees from the new collection.
10:30 am- finally in the car
Everyone has had breakfast, brushed their teeth, got dressed... We are almost ready to leave. First we have to gather all our stuff. We take the raincoats (because you never know), the baby carriage, the diaper bag, the water bottles for the kids and some snacks for the road.
11 am- window shopping at au bon marché
One of my favorite stores in Ghent is 'au bon marché'. You can find the most beautiful rings and cool handbags there. If we're in Ghent and the store is open, I can't resist popping in. Together we look for the 'most beautiful' ring in the window. Cesar apparently also has an opinion about the jewelry and gibberingly points to one.
11:30-am Filou & Friends
Making a quick stop at Filou & Friends. I had seen the purple dress in rib fabric from the fall collection passing by online and really looked like something for Jeanne. Not much later, we step outside with a Filou bag😊.
12 am - lunch at Knol & kool
Time for lunch. Each time I prefer to test out a place we've never eaten before. Knol&kool is nearby. They have a delicious fresh market attached to a large lunch spot. Ideal for the kids. There is plenty of room to walk around/discover while we waited for the food. We were definitely not the only ones with small children and I can only say: definitely kidsproof. The menu is vegan and vegetarian. The kids and friend eat a Ghent stew with fries and I opt for a nice toast with soup.
14:00 am- Maaseik square
Just behind Saint Bavo Cathedral there is a small, green square. A while back, we discovered trampolines there. Since then, we often stop here when we are in the neighborhood with the kids. The sun is coming through. For a while, we enjoy the sun undisturbed and watch the kids as they run from one trampoline to another. Before we move on, brother and sister take a rest on the lamb.
15 am- Graffiti street
Ghent is known for its colorful street art. Walking through Graffiti Street is always fun. Of course, there is much more street art to be found in Ghent. It's definitely worth popping into the Ghent info office. There you can find a map with all the cool street art in the city.
15:30 am- Behdind the Gravensteen?
Just a little stop at the Korenlei to wave to the boats. But the city is crowded. We try to escape the crowds a bit. Just behind the Castle of the Counts, we find that peace. Just getting lost in beautiful streets not yet known by the masses. Go along the Lievebrug towards Sint-widowstraat for a beautiful view of the Castle of the Counts. Ideal spot also to wave to the boats.
16am- pancake time
The kids are tired and we are ready to head home. We had promised pancakes, so first we have to fulfill that promise. Recently, the famous "Gwenola pancakes" are back from the road. From now on they can be tasted at Krank. So nice that we can also give this nice tradition back to our children. For us, going to Ghent always means ending with Gwenola pancakes. Bellies filled and time to go home.
