Backpacking in Belgium: My Stay At Hostel 47, Ghent

On arrival into Belgium, my friend Pol told me to try and visit Ghent. At the time I was enjoying the quirkiness of Brussels (yes I wee-weed against a church) and then I decided on a train to Ghent, spontaneously. I had nowhere booked to stay and luckily travel is easier these days with the internet, so I got checked into the Hostel 47 in Ghent. Owner Youri was waiting for me at reception on arrival and I was ready to explore yet another new city on this relentless journey. It turns out Ghent is your backpacker’s gem.

Backpacking in Ghent by day

Nightfall in charming Ghent

There are a few hostels in town but I chose to stay at the second oldest one, owned by local traveller and overall top man, Youri and of course I had to details my top 5 things about my stay here, for two nights.

On the beers in Ghent

1.Passionate Owner, Youri!
Meet Youri, my new friend and the passionate owner of Hostel 47. Youri took time out to take the guests and myself out for some drinks and food in his city, Ghent. Fellow traveller, Maria from Chile in the photo below. A personality of a hostel owner is sometimes so important on my journey. Great to spend time with you, Youri!

Maria, Youri and I

2.Traditional Belgian Building
The hostel is housed in a 100 year old traditional Belgian Building. Youri opened this hostel in 2005 and completely changed the colour to all white. So while the building is age old and the staircase is pretty, a white decor gives it a modern twang and a pure sign of life.

Old school staircase

Old style building, painted in white

The white effect

3.Fast Cooking Eggs
Youri tells me there is a surprise for breakfast and what it is is a machine especially for boiling eggs! As well as this, tea and coffee is free 24/7 and the breakfast is included and excellent.

Fast cooking eggs!

Breakfast time at Hostel 47

4.Quirky Key Plugs
Something that stands out for me in hostels is when there is something quirky or unusual, like the 10 Coins Hostel in Sofia with the luggage cases as bed side tables and the free music nights in Euphoria Hostel in Tallinn, Estonia. Here you plug your key into a sink hole in the room! A nice touch.