Ghent

Flanders is often dismissed as being flat and boring but if you take time to get to know it, you find a land of delightful small towns and villages where the shopping streets have not been smothered by the international chains which are turning most European towns into identical clones.  The very flatness of the countryside means that you see breath-taking sky-scapes which are constantly changing. 

The  people are friendly, and without making the same fuss about it as the French, just get on with producing equally good, if not better, food. 

Most important of all, it is the home of some of the world's top beers and should be a place of pilgrimage for anyone who considers themselves a beer enthusiast.  Even on a cold grey winter's day Flanders has its pleasures.  Sit down by the fire in some country pub, full of character, with a plate of the hearty local beef stew (but call it 'carbonade flamande' and it sounds much more expensive!) and a strong, warming Abbey ale at hand and you'll agree that 'Flanders' can be translated as 'Heaven'!

Great places to visit in East Flanders

Lo, a small town that most guide books overlook, is our favourite base for exploring West Flanders, and we've been going there at least twice a year since 1987.  It's a very pleasant town in its own right and home to De Oude Abdij Hotel.  Here's a Short Guide to Lo which tells you about some of our favourite places.

Great places to buy beer in East Flanders

We are still discovering new beer outlets in this part of Belgium but, for now, here are a couple of good shops