An exciting weekend in Ghent

As you may already know, I’ve begun work full-time work as TBU’s Social Media Manager and on behalf of TBU I’m off the Ghent on Friday for a very exciting weekend. I’ll be writing about my trip here on TBU, on my own blog and also for World Travel Market.

Here’s what I’ll be up to:

It will be my first time on the Eurostar to Brussels and from there I’ll hop on the train to Ghent in the gorgeous Flemish region of Belgium.

TRACK

I’ll be there for TRACK, an outdoor exhibition which takes artwork into the outdoors. We’ll be hitting the streets on bikes to see sculptures and paintings by 41 international artists. The works have been placed all around the city with some standing tall and proud as the centre of attention in Ghent while others are hidden away in lesser known areas and will require a little bit of hunting. The idea of this is to not only discover art but also discover the city. Sounds like an art inspired treasure hunt to me so I can’t wait.

UPDATE: You can read about my experience with TRACK here: Discovering the true meaning of art in Ghent

Dinner with the locals

I’ll spend my first evening at the home of a local couple who run Comme Chez Moi. They invite tourists into their home for a chance to meet local people, try the delicious local foods and experience Belgium in a unique way.

I also did this while I was in Sweden with the Swedish Supper Club and it was a brilliant experience. I don’t think you can really get to know a place until you’ve got to know the locals and what better way to do this than in their own home.

UPDATE: I had a great time visiting the home of Jozefien and Karl. Here’s how I got on: Comme Chez Moi: At home with the Belgian’s

A hotel with a difference

Tazu Rous Hotel Ghent

On my first evening I’m going to be staying in The Tazu Rous Hotel which is a hotel room built around a huge clock. This will by far be the most unique hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I’m not sure how I’ll deal with it chiming on the hour every hour but I’m sure it will be worth it.

UPDATE: Staying in this hotel was the most amazingly unique hotel experience I’ve ever had. I don’t think anything will ever beat it: Staying in the hotel Gent clock tower

A Jazz festival

I’m going to be in Ghent during the Ghent Jazz Festival and will see musicians like Sonny Rollins, Backback and Agnes Obel. I’ll admit that I’ve never heard of any of these people but who doesn’t love a bit of jazz?

Clubbing

Ghent has a massive techno scene and it would be rude to go all that way without experiencing some of the best techno clubs in the world. I’m more than a little tempted to re-live my teenage years, find some glow-sticks and get ready to rave.

And there’s more…

I’ll also be climbing the belfry with the carillion player, shopping at a flea market at Saint-Jacobs and visiting S.M.A.K, a museum of contemporary art.

Wow, I can’t believe I’ll be doing so much in one weekend. If you know of any other great things to do in Ghent, please let me know. I’m sure that after all this activity I’ll be looking for some good coffee shops and bars.