Lille to Ostend and De Haan: Private day trip

Ostend began as a medieval fishing village, and by the 18th century had become such an important port that the British and Dutch stepped in to shut down Ostend’s international trade company. After World War II, the city rose from the ashes and established itself as Belgium’s premier seaside resort. The city’s attracted everyone from Lord Byron to Albert Einstein to Marvin Gaye, but its most famous resident was painter James Ensor, whose influential works are now showcased in his former home and atelier. For art connoisseurs, the Mu.ZEE exhibits contemporary artists alongside some of the biggest names in Belgian art history. Visitors can also get their sea-legs on one of the city’s floating museums. On the Amandine, visitors will learn about the gruelling lives of fishermen who braved the frigid North Atlantic, while the three-masted Mercator is a preserved piece of Belgian history. And of course be sure to indulge in the city’s famous fresh seafood!