🌉 Day 4 – A Day in Ghent: Bridges, Reflections, and Quiet Beauty

 After the rush and energy of last night’s concert, today felt like the perfect pause, a day to step outside the rhythm of Brussels and wander somewhere new. We caught an early train to Ghent, the city slowly waking under a soft grey sky. The ride itself was calming, fields rolling by in shades of green and gold, a light mist hanging over the countryside.

When we arrived, Ghent felt like something out of a storybook, canals winding through the old town, stone bridges arching gracefully over the water, spires and towers rising above rows of houses. The air smelled faintly of rain, and the cobblestones glistened just enough to catch the morning light.

We started by walking along the river, where reflections of the buildings danced on the surface. Every corner seemed to offer a new photograph waiting quietly to be found, a passing boat, a couple sharing an umbrella, autumn leaves caught against a brick wall. There’s a peacefulness to Ghent that seeps into you the longer you stay, a quiet invitation to slow down and just see.

By midday, we found our way to De Lakenhalle for lunch, a space full of character, with warm light and the comforting hum of conversation. The meal was simple but satisfying, a moment to rest and take in the view of the square just outside. There’s something grounding about pausing in the middle of a day like this, letting the place sink in.

In the afternoon, we explored some of Ghent’s landmarks, Gravensteen Castle, St. Michael’s Bridge, and the hushed interior of St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Each space carried its own kind of silence, some grand, others intimate. I found myself drawn again and again to the way light moved through these places: soft, filtered, timeless.

As evening settled in, we ended the day at In Choc Gent, a cozy spot that felt like a reward after hours of walking. I ordered Belgian waffles with chocolate on the side, warm, rich, and perfect in that moment. The sweetness lingered long after, like the glow of the city lights reflecting on the canal.

On the train ride back to Brussels, the city faded behind us as twilight deepened. I looked through my photos, bridges, windows, quiet corners, and felt that soft kind of gratitude that travel leaves behind. Ghent was gentle, grounding, and full of quiet beauty. It reminded me that not every memorable day needs to be loud, sometimes it’s the still ones that stay with you longest.