Ghent has award-winning historic centre

21.11.2008
The Belgian city of Ghent is the third most authentic historic destination in the world, according to a recent survey by a leading American travel magazine.

In a recent report for its December issue of Traveller magazine, National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Destinations put Ghent ahead of 106 other destinations in the world, making it a great destination for ferry travellers this winter.

"Unlike its neighbour Bruges, Ghent has retained the character of a functioning city rather than an open-air museum," National Geographic said in its summary of the beautiful city.

It continued: "Aesthetic appeal is high, particularly because the city has not turned into a mono-economy of tourism."

Alongside churches and medieval castles, Ghent"s historic centre is also a base for some of the richest examples of paintings and similar art, the magazine concluded.

Ghent can be seen as Flanders" unsung city, with the destination overlooked regularly by tourists due to its position between Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp, Lonely Planet said.

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