Ghent, the capital and largest city of East Flanders province, began as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie. During the Late Middle Ages, it grew into one of the largest and richest cities in northern Europe. The city boasts impressive canal-side architecture and a vibrant culinary scene, and it hosts the renowned ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten) each year. Must-see attractions include the Design Museum Gent, showcasing art and design exhibits, and the beautiful Ooidonk Castle and its surrounding gardens. Ghent offers diverse shopping areas such as the Quartier Sint-Pieters near the railway station, Shopping East District, the design and vintage Shopping Rond Sint-Jacobs, the well-known Shopping Gent Central, and the trendy Shopping Linkeroever. Ghent’s nightlife is lively, featuring venues like Hot Club Gent for live jazz, Charlatan for music and dancing, and the trendy A-pluss for drinks and socializing.