After a quick look in St Niklaaskerk go into Veldstraat.

Apart from doing some shopping you can feast at the Jewish bakery Bloch, visit Maeterlinck's office and discover some of the lovely houses which are hidden behind neon lights and advertising hoardings. You finally come out by the law courts and the opera house. Many bars here have the grand café atmosphere much prized by opera-lovers all over. On the left of the opera house you can find the Kouter where a flower market is held each Sunday.

Once you have crossed the water turn left into Ketelvest and keep straight ahead.

You can walk on the road or on the tow-path alongside the canal. At the end you will see the water of the Muinkschelde which turns and goes underground. It is possible to go by boat under this part of the city. Flor, one of the first restaurants to have an open kitchen, is situated on this bend.

Go back 200m along the Huidervettershoek and turn left by Walpoortstraat.

On the left-hand side there are a number of pleasant pubs and the completely renovated Minard theatre. A little further, past the traffic lights, rises the 'bastion of the socialists', the Vooruit Arts Centre. Enquire whether there is something on during your stay.