City trip Ghent with the Volvo EX30
Our friends from Volvo Car Netherlands gave me the keys to their Volvo EX30 with the words: “Do something fun with it.” There was no limit on the kilometers, the car is fully electric, so I didn’t have to feel any range anxiety in any way. In my mind, the map of Europe unfolded. I wanted to keep it somewhat within limits, but I definitely wanted to cross the border. I don’t miss any opportunity when it comes to shining with Scandinavian design. Moreover, after my press trip to Gothenburg, the heart of Volvo, I know that there is nothing safer than a Volvo, so bring on those kilometers. What makes the environmentally friendly heart beat even faster, aside from the fully electric motor, is that the interior of the EX30 is made from recycled and renewable materials.
Why I chose Ghent
For several reasons, I chose Ghent as the final destination of this road trip. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, still reasonably accessible in terms of distance, it offers the perfect palette of food, drink, shopping, and culture, and with the extra facets of this fine Volvo, driving in any city is a piece of cake. And more importantly: the EX30 has been made in Ghent since this year. Therefore, you have European quality, short supply chains, and producing nearby means a lot for sustainability. So EX30, I bring you home, baby.
The Volvo EX30: Perfect City Car for a Road Trip
The Volvo EX30 is not only a powerful and safe electric car, but it also has handy features like automatic parking and the Door Opening Alert. This technology warns you if, for example, a cyclist is riding next to your door. I tend to be quite impulsive when it comes to shopping (because hello, shopping!), and so far I’ve always managed to escape without a scare. Such a Door Opening Alert is really a lifesaver for me. And that automatic parking? According to my kids, I’m not very good at it, but I keep insisting that I’m a star at it. Just let me live in that delusion.
On the way to Ghent: Playlist, Charging Points, and More
On the playlist was Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism tour, which sounds perfect on the Harman Kardon sound system. And if at some point I feel the need for my daily dose of Adele, I can just tell the infotainment department of Google services in the car. They also tell me where I can find charging points along the way. In principle, I don’t need them on this route, as the range of this EX30 goes up to about 450 kilometers and the distance to Ghent is half of that: 220 kilometers. But with the motto “better safe than sorry” in mind, I pin down a nice spot for a charging moment for the EX30 and for myself.
Did I already mention that when I turned onto the highway near Haarlem, I showed who was boss on the road? There was quite a pretentious little man next to me, one of those types who preach women-behind-the-wheel-blood-on-the-wall, whom I left far behind when accelerating. Because the EX30 is simply the fastest Volvo ever and goes from 0 to 100 in 3.6 seconds. Well, that polished little guy didn’t see that coming.
The Picturesque Route to Ghent
I spontaneously decide to spend a night in Ghent and take the scenic route. It leads through my beloved Zeeland, where I lived in my teenage years, so I plan a stop in Veere. I ask ChatGPT for a picturesque route and take the extra 1.5 hours of travel time in stride.
Haarlem → Leiden → Delft → Rotterdam
Follow the N206 and enjoy a piece of dune and bulb region and historic cities.
Rotterdam → Haringvliet Bridge → Zeeland (Zierikzee or Middelburg)
Drive via the N59 and N256 or N57 through the Zeeland islands. Here you drive over bridges, dams, and along the water – stunning views!
Zeeland → Belgian border → Ghent
Cross into Belgium via the Westerscheldt Tunnel (toll) or via Terneuzen. From there, drive through rural Flemish roads towards Ghent.
Once in Ghent: Parking and Exploring
I park at Parking Reep, which is open all day and with its 470 spaces always has a spot available. You are within walking distance of the Korenmarkt, the Graslei, and the St. Bavo's Cathedral. It is indeed in a low-emission zone, but we, the EX30 and I, of course, have no trouble with that.
The Best Hotspots in Ghent
When I take a city trip, I always do my research at Barts Boekje. Some things are better left to others. They tell me that Ghent – which is divided into six districts – also has luxury shops and specialty stores. So first, I go to SoGo for some serious shopping. I have a coffee in the East District – it all sounds like we’re in New York, don’t you think? – and I end the day in the Côté Culture district, because now that I’ve decided to sleep in Ghent, I might as well order an Esmaatje in one of the trendy cocktail bars. Cocktail bar Jiggers it is; a bar in Great Gatsby style with an owner who adjusts the cocktail menu to the season. For dinner, I reserve at Faim Fatale (Korenmarkt 15 www.faimfatale.be) which I mainly choose based on the name.
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Sleeping in Ghent: Yalo Hotel and Cocotine
At Yalo Hotel, I book a room, as it is located in the trendy SoGo district and when someone says it has a (Henri Jasparlaan 182 www.yalohotel.com) Manhattan-ish vibe, you immediately get it. After breakfast – at Cocotine Groenmarkt 10, www.cocotine.be) because of their beauty bowls – we walk back to the parking garage, where our vehicle, charged and all, is completely ready for the return trip.
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