Flanders is where medieval skylines meet waterside cafés and cobblestone lanes. Tiny Heusden—a leafy village on the Scheldt—sits just east of Ghent, making it a perfect gateway to green bike paths, Laarne Castle, and day-to-night city life only minutes away. In Bruges, canals, swans, and stepped-gable houses feel straight out of a Flemish painting—best savored with waffles, beer, and a canal boat.

Ghent was a mightier European city than Paris in the 13th century; today it pairs student energy with historic gravitas. Don’t miss the Ghent Altarpiece, the story-crammed Gravensteen Castle, and the moody Patershol quarter. Bruges dazzled during its 15th-century Golden Age—and still does with the Belfry, the Markt, the Begijnhof, and chocolate ateliers around every corner.

Practical notes: trains are frequent, cheap, and fast; English is widely spoken alongside Dutch; tipping is modest (round up or add ~5–10% for great service). Pack layers and a rain shell and embrace Belgium’s edible icons: carbonnade flamande (beer-braised beef), waterzooi (creamy chicken or fish stew), fries with mayo, waffles, and world-class beer.

Heusden (Destelbergen)

Heusden is a quiet, riverside village on the edge of Ghent: think willow-lined dikes, pastureland, and the Heusdenbroek nature reserve. It’s ideal for a leisurely bike ride along the Scheldt to Laarne Castle, then back into Ghent for dinner and nightlife.

• Top nearby sights: Laarne Castle (moated fortress with arms collection; check seasonal hours), Scheldt riverside bike paths, Heusdenbroek wetlands (birding).
• Local flavor: Pack a picnic with Ghent pastries and cheeses, then pause on the dike benches—classic Flemish slow travel.

Ghent

Ghent blends gothic towers with contemporary art and a thriving food scene. Highlights include the Ghent Altarpiece (Van Eyck’s masterwork), Gravensteen Castle, St. Michael’s Bridge vistas, and the atmospheric Patershol.

• Where to stay: Browse stays near the historic center on VRBO Ghent or compare hotels by Korenmarkt/Graslei on Hotels.com Ghent.
• Essentials: The Ghent Altarpiece at St. Bavo’s Cathedral; Gravensteen’s ramparts; Dulle Griet beer bar (the “Max” glass comes with a shoe hostage); canalfront Graslei.
• Food & drink picks: Coffee at Mokabon (old-school café) or OR Coffee Roasters; lunch at Balls & Glory (stuffed meatballs) or Frituur Tartaar (crispy fries); dinners at Pakhuis (vast brasserie in a 19th-century warehouse), Oak (Michelin-starred, creative tasting menus), or t’Klokhuys (classic stews).

Bruges

Bruges is a living postcard: swans drift under stone arches, the Belfry rings overhead, and lace and chocolate shops perfume the lanes. The canal network makes boat rides irresistible, and the Markt and Burg squares glow at golden hour.

• Where to stay: Center yourself near the Markt or Minnewater on VRBO Bruges or Hotels.com Bruges.
• Essentials: Belfry climb (panoramic views), Basilica of the Holy Blood, Begijnhof, canal cruise, and windmills near Kruisvest.
• Food & drink picks: Coffee at Cafuné or Vero Caffè; waffles from Chez Albert; dinner at Cambrinus (beer bible of 400+ labels), De Vlaamsche Pot (grandma-style Flemish classics), or Réliva (farm-to-table).

Antwerp (Day Trip)

Antwerp is Belgium’s fashion and diamond hub, home to a glorious train station, guildhalls on the Grote Markt, and the MAS museum overlooking the old docks. Expect bold coffee, great fries, and vibrant neighborhoods.

• Eat & drink: Coffee at Caffènation; lunch at Frites Atelier (premium fries) or De Bomma (comfort Belgian plates); beer at Kulminator (deep cellar list).

Ypres (Day Trip)

Ypres (Ieper) anchors the Ypres Salient, the most storied WWI battlefield region in Flanders Fields. The In Flanders Fields Museum, Menin Gate, and preserved trenches frame a sober, powerful day.

Getting There & Around

• Flights: Fly into Brussels Airport (BRU). Compare European flight options on Omio.
• Airport to Ghent: Train from BRU to Gent-Sint-Pieters ~1 hr, ~€17–19 one-way. Check times and book on Omio Trains.
• Local transport: Belgian trains are frequent; buses and trams cover short hops. For intercity buses, see Omio Buses.

Day 1 – Arrive in Ghent (base for Heusden), Canalfront First Impressions

Morning: Fly into Brussels (BRU). If landing early, grab a coffee at the airport and take the direct train to Gent-Sint-Pieters (~1 hr, ~€17–19 via Omio Trains).

Afternoon: Check in near Korenmarkt/Graslei (VRBO Ghent or Hotels.com Ghent). Stroll St. Michael’s Bridge for a textbook view of Ghent’s three towers. Coffee at Mokabon (retro espresso bar) or OR Coffee Roasters.

Evening: Dinner at Pakhuis (oysters, steak-frites, Belgian classics in a soaring warehouse). Nightcap at Dulle Griet—their famous “Max” (1.2L) comes in a coachman’s glass; hand over a shoe as deposit and join the local laughter.

Day 2 – Heusden’s Riverscapes & Laarne Castle by Bike, Then the Ghent Altarpiece

Morning: Pick up fresh pastries from Himschoot bakery by Sint-Baafsplein and rent bikes. Follow the Scheldt towpath east into Heusden; watch herons across the Heusdenbroek marshes. Continue to Laarne Castle (moat, turrets, and a stellar silver collection—check seasonal opening hours).

Afternoon: Picnic on the dike, then cycle back to St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see the Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb). Coffee at Simon Says (tea room & espresso) near the Patershol.

Evening: Try t’Klokhuys for carbonnade flamande or waterzooi in a 17th-century house. Post-dinner, slip into Hot Club de Gand for live jazz in a hidden medieval courtyard.

Day 3 – Ghent by Two Wheels + Foodie Afternoon

Morning: Join a guided spin to get the lay of the land with the Bicycle tour in historic Ghent (small-group, architecture, street art, back lanes).

Bicycle tour in historic Ghent on Viator

Afternoon: Lunch at Balls & Glory (juicy stuffed meatballs; veggie options too). Explore Gravensteen Castle—climb the ramparts for rooftops and river views. If you prefer sweets, swap in Charlie's famous Chocolate Tour (Ghent) to sample award-winning chocolatiers and learn bean-to-bar lore.

Charlie's famous Chocolate Tour (Ghent) on Viator

Evening: Splurge at Oak (refined tasting menus with seasonal Belgian produce) or go casual with frietjes at Frituur Tartaar. Finish at ’t Dreupelkot to sample jenever (Belgian gin) from rows of colorful bottles.

Day 4 – Day Trip to Antwerp: Guildhalls, Fashion, and MAS Views

Morning: Train Ghent → Antwerpen-Centraal ~1 hr, ~€10–12 via Omio Trains. Meet a guide and zip through the old town on a fun TukTuk tour through historic Antwerp (1.5 hours)—perfect when you want the highlights without the hoofing.

TukTuk tour through historic Antwerp of 1.5 hours on Viator

Afternoon: Coffee at Caffènation; lunch at Frites Atelier (try truffle mayo) or De Bomma (stoemp and sausages). Wander the Grote Markt, peek into the Plantin-Moretus Museum courtyard, then ride the escalators to MAS Rooftop for harbor panoramas.

Evening: Return to Ghent; relaxed dinner at Pakhuis or the cozy Patershol bistro scene. If energy remains, stroll the illuminated Graslei—magical after dark.

Day 5 – Ghent → Bruges (25–30 min by Train), Storybook Squares

Morning: Train Ghent → Bruges ~25–30 min, ~€7 via Omio Trains. Drop bags near the Markt/Minnewater (VRBO Bruges / Hotels.com Bruges).

Afternoon: Kickstart your visit with THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must—local guides weave medieval tales into the streets you’re walking.

THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips on Viator

Evening: Early dinner at Cambrinus (book ahead; try Flemish stew with a dubbel ale). Night wander to the Burg square and Rozenhoedkaai—lantern-lit reflections that feel cinematic.

Day 6 – Bruges or WWI History in Ypres (Your Choice)

Option A: Full-day WWI remembrance in Ypres. Train Bruges → Ieper (Ypres) ~1 hr 20 min, ~€12–16 via Omio Trains. Join a private battlefield circuit—Messines to Passchendaele—tailored to Commonwealth history with cemetery stops and trenches.

From Ypres, The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour on Viator

Option B: Stay in Bruges for boats, beer, and chocolate. Begin with a private overview plus boat ride on Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride, then get hands-on at Chocolate Workshop at Choco-Story Brugge (make mendiants and pralines—sweet souvenirs secured!).

Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride on Viator

Chocolate Workshop at Choco-Story Brugge on Viator

Food notes: Coffee at Cafuné; lunch at That’s Toast (generous tartines and pancakes) or Sanseveria (bagels, soups). Consider an early-evening tasting on The Waffles 'n Beer Workshop in Bruges Centre if you skipped Ypres.

The Waffles 'n Beer Workshop in Bruges Centre on Viator

Day 7 – Slow Morning in Bruges & Departure

Morning: Walk the Begijnhof and Minnewaterpark while it’s quiet, then circle the Kruisvest windmills. Pick up gifts at Dumon or The Chocolate Line (pralines, sea-salt caramels, playful flavors).

Afternoon: Lunch at De Vlaamsche Pot (rabbit with prunes, endive gratin) or Réliva (seasonal). Train Bruges → Brussels Airport ~1.5–2 hrs via Brussels-Midi, ~€21–26—search on Omio Trains. If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio.

Evening: Homebound, with a suitcase that mysteriously smells like cocoa and hops.

Intercity Logistics at a Glance

• BRU → Ghent: ~1 hr train, ~€17–19 (Omio Trains).
• Ghent ↔ Antwerp (day trip): ~1 hr, ~€10–12 each way (Omio Trains).
• Ghent → Bruges: 25–30 min, ~€7 (Omio Trains).
• Bruges ↔ Ypres (option): ~1 hr 20 min, ~€12–16 each way (Omio Trains).
• Bruges → BRU: 1.5–2 hrs via Brussels-Midi, ~€21–26 (Omio Trains).

Extra Ideas (If You Have More Time)

• Bruges chocolate immersion: Belgian Chocolate Workshop in Bruges (hands-on, take-home box).

Belgian Chocolate Workshop in Bruges on Viator



• Ghent waffles & beer mashup: The Waffles 'n Beer Workshop in Ghent Centre—a fun, tasty afternoon.

The Waffles 'n Beer Workshop in Ghent Centre on Viator

Where to book transport: For flights to/from Europe and within the EU, use Omio. For trains across Belgium, use Omio Trains; for buses, Omio Buses.

Summary: In one week you’ll bike Heusden’s dikes, stand before the Ghent Altarpiece, glide along Bruges’ canals, sip Belgian ales, and—if you choose—contemplate the past in Ypres. Fast trains, compact old towns, and generous tables make Flanders a delicious, low-stress trip you’ll want to repeat.