Aalst - Ghent - Antwerp

Route: Brussels - Aalst - Ghent - Antwerp - Brussels
Duration: 10 h
The firs stop of our tour will be at Aalst which  cited in 840 as a dependency of the Abbey of Lobbes, Aalst developed as a town in the middle of the 12th century. It prospered as a trading post on the road between Bruges and Cologne in Germany. In fact, Aalst even became the capital of the Flemish part of the Holy Roman Empire, and the city has preserved the combined coat of arms of both Flanders and the First Reich to this day. Burnt to the ground in 1360, Aalst was soon rebuilt. Its famous belfry was completed in the Gothic style in 1460. This was the town's golden age. Local townsman Dirk Martens (1446-1534) became the first printer of the Southern Netherlands, publishing Christopher Colombus's writings on the New World as soon as 1493 (i.e. just upon his return from his first voyage). The main reason to visit Aalst is for its splendid town square. It boasts the oldest town hall (13th century) in the Low Countries. The adjacent belfry, equipped with a carillon of no less than 52 bells, is one of Belgium's most handsome. The old town hall now serves as the deputy mayor's office, while the actual town hall is a 19th century edifice with a rococo facade in its inner court. Other notable buildings include the Old Hospital (15th century) and the Gothic-style St. Martin's Collegiate Church (built in 1480), which boasts a painting by Rubens ("Saint Rochus beseeching Christ to terminate the Plague at Aalst"). The next stop will be at city Ghent which in fact, most historians believe that Ghent’s historical name, ‘Ganda’, derives from the Celtic word ganda which means confluence. During the Middle Ages from 1000 to around 1550, Ghent was one of the richest and most important cities in Europe. Bigger than London, Ghent was once considered the second largest city north of the Alps, second only to Paris. As you walk around the city center, you’ll see the impact of the city’s rich past evidenced by the decorative and imposing architecture of its churches and the houses of rich traders. During this excursion we will walk along the pretty Graslei and Korenlei to admire the gables of the guild houses. You will see panoramic views of St. Nicolas' Church and medieval St. Bavo's Abbey, where you can see the "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers. Continue towards the Vrijdagsmarkt and admire the façade of the Town Hall. Encounter the 15th-century cannon of the Dulle Griet (“Evil Woman”), and then cross the Lys to enter the inner courtyard of the House of Alijn. Continue to Gravensteen Castle to take a look at the "Castle of the Counts" and end with a visit to the Old Fish Market. Nowhere else will you find so much history per square metre than in the historical heart of Ghent. The next our stop will be at Antwerp where we will see and visit the streets and places that are the most representative of the time when Antwerp was one of the most important trading cities in Europe; we will walk the small streets, look at the statues of greatest citizens and admire the magnificent churches and buildings. We will try to learn how Antwerp appeared on the map of Europe, what has defined and still defines it as one of the most important seaports in the world; why so many artists had come to live and work here, creating something that is now world famous as a Flemish school of painting. Learn a bit about Belgian food and beer culture, their love for fries and chocolate and, of course, diamonds. We will start our walk on the river quays, near the oldest stone building in town, our castle - the Stone; then, by the Butchers hall to the hearts of the city - the Big Market square and that to its soul - Antwerp Cathedral of Saint Mary*; If you wish, we can visit the cathedral and talk about 4 magnificent Rubens' works in it. Then, we go to the Jesuit church, through the mediëval Streets and to the biggest square in the city on our way to Palazzo Rubens - the house where the painter had spent most of his life. After we will return to Ghent.
Price: per person