Page 119 - Vegan Life - Issue 59 (February 2020)

am so excited to be visiting Ghent a ‘City Card Gent All In’ for €30 for 48 ofers ‘Vegan food and advice’. We find
again — a hidden Gothic gem in hours. This seems to cover just about an organic market and treat ourselves to
I Belgium that's really easy to get everything touristy, including entrance some vegan Belgium chocolate.
to. Last time I travelled by train, and to the famous Castle of the Counts We are catered for so well for
this time, we are taking the P&O Ferry — a must-see while visiting. breakfast at The Ghent River Hotel
(poferries.com) from Dover to Calais and First of, we head to the famous (ghent-river-hotel.be), although this
then driving. P&O Ferries are launching Epiphany’s Kitchen (epiphanyskitchen. means we are only able to try out on-
more and more vegan options, and, of com), designed and run by Epiphany the-go snacks for lunch. So, we will
course, we are excited to give them a try. Vanderhaegen, daughter of the famous need to return to try more vegan eateries.
We arrive in plenty of time, no trafic, no Belgian fashion designer Kaat Tilley. In The team at The Ghent River Hotel
queues and straight on the ferry. her lifetime, Kaat worked with superstars impress us by knowing our vegan
We are treated to the Club Lounge with such as Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand requirements, and on both mornings
such fantastic views that we actually feel and Halle Berry. of our stay present us with an array of
as if we are taking a cruise. The team is The decor, tables, lights and colours Alpro yoghurts, milks and butter. They
really helpful and we chat with some of the are stunning and the magical chandeliers advise us that the warm sun dried
managers about their new vegan options. in the restaurant are a legacy of tomatoes and mushrooms are vegan-
They are all excited to be expanding their Epiphany’s mother. The food is amazing, friendly too, so with these, toast, fresh
plant-based food options, and tell us freshly made with some unusual twists, juices, fruit and teas we really are set
about the full vegan breakfast that is now including their ‘Flower Power’, a whole for a day of sightseeing.
available, too. Staf members, Glyn and roasted artichoke flower with a vegan The hotel’s location is perfect — within
Callum, assure me it tastes great, but by cheesy sauce in the middle — perfect walking distance of the main city centre,
this time, I’m too occupied with trying to for sharing. Mushroom of Life and Green and the rooms are stunning. Ours is one of
relax with some self-hypnosis, as I don’t Envy are pizzas with a diference and the nicest and most traditional rooms we
have the best sea faring legs! The team taste incredible. However, the ingredients have ever stayed in.
tell me they are working on improving are all good for you, including a yucca We even find a small homemade
their catering staf training — as a vegan of base and topped with all sorts of confectionary shop, called Confiserie
about 22 years now, I would love to help. delicious veggies. Temmerman (temmermanconfiserie.
We arrive in Calais in 90 minutes, and We have one of the best nights out com), whose owner assures us that their
have a pleasant drive to Ghent. Why is it as a family ever at Epiphany’s Kitchen Cuberdon’s are vegan-friendly, made
that driving through France is so much — the food is stunning, and the team are with a seaweed instead of gelatine. These
better than driving though the UK? The helpful and friendly. Upon leaving, we famous Ghent sweets are bright purple
time flies by and we are at our hotel in are tempted to return, and looking back, and in the strange shape of a nose, filled
no time, ready to unpack and explore. really wish we had gone again during our with a sweet raspberry filling.
The centre of Ghent is great to walk short visit. If, ater all of this, you are still unsure,
around — there are also trams, bikes, Vegan eateries are dotted around the Ghent is well worth a long weekend
guided boat tours and hop-on-hop-of Belgium town catering for all budgets, visit — it is a stunning friendly city, with
water tramways, ofering multiple modes Le Botonist (lebotaniste.be) looked interesting history and architecture.
of transport. It is well worth investing in stunning, and Mie Vie (mievie.be) proudly
Words by Karin Ridgers, karinridgers.me

Karin’s top tips:

• Visit midweek, or Thursday to
Saturday, as many places are
closed on Sundays. There will still
be plenty to do, however, you may
want to check in advance if there
is somewhere you are particularly
keen to visit.
• Booking can be essential for the
higher-end restaurants as they do
get busy, even out of holiday season.
• Treat yourself to the Club Lounge
with P&O Ferries — well worth a
little bit of extra space and luxury.
• Walk around Ghent at night — lit up,
it looks even more amazing. ■

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