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Starting with the House with the Heads adorned with the Counts of Flanders, Dukes of Burgundy and leaders of the House of Habsburg we move to Gravensteen Castle looking ethereal with the backlit morning sun streaming through. Take a close look at the baroque Fish Market entrance with Neptune surveying the square standing above two figures representing the two rivers that give Ghent its name: 'the confluence of two rivers'. We walk along the Kraanlei with lovely reflections of the ancient buildings. The walk ends on the Friday market, early enough to be completely devoid of its usual crowds where we can have a close look at the statue of Jacob van Artevelde and then beautiful buildings of the early trade union movement.


The second tour in Mark's series of peaceful early morning walks in Ghent.

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An Early Morning in Ghent: Part 2

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Enjoy Ghent in the early morning without the crowds. Mark begins this walk just under the statue of St Michael slaying a dragon and then you get that remarkable and iconic Ghent view with the towers of St Nicholas Church, the Belfry and St Baafs Cathedral. A stroll along the Graslei, one of Ghent's most picturesque banks of the river Leie takes in ancient old buildings of the skippers' guild, the corn weighing, taxing and storage houses as well as the modern additions of the early 1900s all in a sympathetic style. We cross the river and make our way back along the Korenlei with fabulous reflections along the river. Back over the St Michael's bridge and we have a closer look at the front of the Post Office building and St Nicholas Church, the Belfry, the Royal Dutch Theatre the Belfry and St Baafs Cathedral.


Enjoy Ghent in the early morning without the crowds. 

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An Early Morning in Ghent: Part 1

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We start on the Singel canal on a bridge with beautiful tulip garden tended by local residents. The early morning reflections on the canal are just one of the things that makes Amsterdam so very special. The walk also ends with flowers, these are the wreaths laid in front of the National Monument on Dam Square Remembrance Day.


The third tour in our series of beautiful morning walks through Amsterdam with Mark.

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A Morning Walk in Amsterdam: Flowers for pleasure, flowers for pain

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This spring morning walk starts at the Noordermarkt and ends on the Torensluis, that's Amsterdam's widest stone bridge with the statue that looks like Albert Einstein but is someone completely different! Between these two points is the Western Canal Belt with its beautiful houses, wide open views, budding Elm trees and tranquil house boats.

This spring morning walk starts at the Noordermarkt and ends on the Torensluis, Amsterdam's widest stone bridge.

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A Morning Walk in Amsterdam: Noordermarkt to the Torensluis

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Amsterdam's Brouwersgracht is one of the prettiest of the inner city canals. It started its life as a working canal lined with warehouses, now these are fancy loft apartments. Join Mark on a walk on a lovely spring morning and see why these south facing apartments are one of the best places in Amsterdam to call home. See and learn tidbits of info about things passing by and end the walk on the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan District

Amsterdam's Brouwersgracht is one of the prettiest of the inner city canals. Join Mark on a walk on a lovely spring morning to explore this popular city

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A Morning Walk: Amsterdam's Brouwersgracht 

ID-117-VV Bruges Canal Walk

Bruges has many beautiful canals and they are best viewed in the early morning when it is calm and still on the water and the gorgeous old buildings and bridges are perfectly reflected. This tour is all about stunning reflections of famous landmarks like the Belfry and the tower of the Church of Our Lady. We tuck into the courtyard between the church and the Gruutehuse museum for another feast of perfect reflections and end with a flotilla of 9 swans gliding by!

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Bruges Canal Walk

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Explore Bruges' squares while the other tourist are still tucked up in bed. Mark and you enjoy the town almost all to yourselves, starting with the famous Belfry reflection and then moving off to the Burg, that's the main square of the city with its magnificent medieval town hall. Next door to that is the beautiful Renaissance building, originally the record office. In the far corner is an ancient Romanesque chapel that housed the holy blood. The tour ends on the Market Square with the imposing Belfry tower as well as rows of beautiful, typical Belgian houses,

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Bruges City Squares

ID-115-VV-Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in Full Glory

Enjoy an relaxing meander through these magnificent gardens when they are in full and glorious bloom. Seven million bulbs are planted each year in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colours. The gardens are only open for 8 weeks a year but see them all year around here with Mark. Along the way, hear about the history of the tulip and of the gardens with tidbits of info about cultivation and planting info.

That Dam Guide