Must do — plan Ghent day around it. Opens 10am; get first entry slots. Fits as morning or afternoon activity on Historical Ghent Day.

Inside Saint Bavo's Cathedral. Tickets required (60 min visit). Cathedral opens 1pm on Sundays. Reservations recommended. For the Ghent day.

Gorgeous bustling market with flower stalls, live brass music, and local kiosks. Good morning stop on the Ghent day. First Sunday of every month is Shopping Sunday.

See urban art along Graffiti Street.

Nature preserve in Ghent. Good for a nature walk.

2.5 hours. Recommended tour.

For Ben. Near the historical sights.

Climb the belfry for panoramic views. Purchase tickets ahead of time. Part of Musea Brugge.

Burg Square: City Hall, Basilica of the Holy Blood (Christ's blood relic), and Brugse Vrije — small fees, no advance purchase needed. Other highlights: Church of Our Lady (Michelangelo's Madonna, world's second-tallest brick tower), St. Salvator's Cathedral, Jerusalem Chapel, St. Walburga's Church.

Boat tour along the Bruges canals. Book ahead.

One of Belgium's most beautiful castles. Coach house tavern on grounds. Featured stop on both the Flemish Ardennes bike loop (Ooidonkdreef 9) and the Flemish Ardennes day trip.

Virtual reality experience at The Park Playground.

Chocolate and beer workshop. The group's chocolate workshop is now booked at ChocoStory on the Bruges day (Aug 5) — this remains a Ghent alternative.

Tuimelland Krekelplas Kiddyzone water play area plus swimming, slides, beach, and picnic areas. Free for under-12s and Ghent residents; ~€1.50 for adult non-residents. Register online in advance. Gets busy on hot days.

Playground, bike path, picnic area, and barefoot walking nature path.

Now scheduled for Tuesday Aug 4 (Van Opdorp ancestral day): Bassevelde (De Roo), Sint-Laureins, Sint Margriet, Hoofdplaat (VanOpdorp), Sas van Gent (VanOpdorp trucking), optional Van Steenberge brewery on the way back.

Driving preferred to Opdorp and surrounding small villages. Dries van Opdorp. Possible nearby hiking or outdoors. Marty and Lin planning the route and stops.

Bike from Bruges via Canal Path (Damse Vaart-Zuid). At Dampoort, cross onto Noorweegse Kaai — car-free paved greenway for cyclists and walkers along the water. Explore Damme, eat there or return to Bruges for dinner at Simon Stevinplein. Bike rental option in Bruges: Adventure Bike Rental Koffieboontje.

~26.7km bike loop from Nyte Airbnb. ~1h28m active riding. Route: Airbnb → Baarle Click (morning coffee stop) → Kasteel van Ooidonk (castle + coach house tavern) → Sint-Martens-Latem (art village on river — ice cream, bakery, or lunch terrace) → Veerboot Afsnee (small river crossing + waterfront cafes) → Airbnb through nature reserve pastures. Planned for Saturday Aug 1.

Hiking and sightseeing day. 9:30am Kluisbos hike (blue loop 5-7km, 2.5-3hrs; parking at Kluisbos 1, 9690 Kluisbergen). 12:30pm Lunch at Le Rubin, Oudenaarde (reservation required; Belgian brasserie on Market Square). 1:45pm Oudenaarde old town (Town Hall, St. Walburga Church). 2:45pm Koppenberg scenic stop (famous cobblestone climb, panoramic views). 4:15pm Kasteel van Ooidonk, Deinze. 5:30pm Dessert at De Schipperin, Deinze (pancakes, waffles, ice cream). 6:00pm Drinks at De Wachtzaal, Deinze. Best on Sunday; Tue–Fri also good.

Het Steen (visitor centre + The Antwerp Story), Grote Markt, Cathedral of Our Lady (largest Gothic building in Low Countries), Eilandje neighbourhood (old port — restaurants). Tram 7 to De Koninck city brewery.

Out-of-the-way hiking option in southern Belgium. Possible stop on the way to Dinant.

Possible stop on the way to Dinant.

Italian restaurant.

Lunch & brunch spot. Make reservation for whole group.

Big hall, lots of space for a group, food and beer.

https://cramiquebakery.be/

Guided tour with tastings, 2 hours, 11am or 2pm slots. Kristy flagged it for Aug 1.

Craft brewery lunch. Reservations required.

Shared plates, works well for groups.

Pizza restaurant, light lunch, possibly open Sundays.

Authentic French brasserie. Pricey — would need reservations.

Breakfast/brunch, coffee.

Beerpub — 300 Belgian beers.

Coffee shop.