Ostend: queen and fisherman's wife

Ostend, the queen of the seaside resorts as it is affectionately known in Belgium, is just 12 km from Sunparks De Haan aan Zee. Want to dive straight in and get acquainted with the history of the Belgian fisheries? Be sure to visit the Amandine, an Iceland trawler that is moored at Visserskaai (Fishermen's Quay). Between 1962 and 1995, the ship sailed the cold Icelandic waters where it fished for cod, plaice and Scottish flounder. Now, it has been turned into museum, as a lasting and fitting homage to the heroic Ostend fishermen who made a living sailing out to the cold Nordic waters. Inside the Amandine, you will be reliving the harsh on-board living conditions and become acquainted with life in an old fishermen's quarter in the days of yore.

Fancy a nice bit of fish? Seek out the Lucy Loes statue on Visserskaai, the most celebrated and most popular singer of popular songs Ostend ever had. Right across from Lucy is the Vistrap, an indoor fish market where Ostend fishermen's wives sell last night's catch. Every morning - except on Mondays -, this is where the trawlers unload their holds. You will not find a fresher bit of North Sea fish anywhere else in Ostend. While you are at Visserskaai, try ordering a handful of fresh prawns or some spicy hot whelks from one of the fish stalls.

Ostend is not just a town of burly sailors, it is every bit a fashionable seaside resort. Anyone keen to sample the nostalgic grandeur of Ostend should try the James Ensor Gallery where you will discover the eminence and distinction of the town around a century and a half ago. The Gallery is home to some very dainty specialist shops such as Twinkel and Butler's pralines shop.

Making your way to Den Artiest for a drink afterwards, you may well bump into a local Ostend celeb.

After you have finished your apéritif, trendy and child-friendly Tao restaurant in Langestraat serves some great world cuisine.

Ostend is just 12 km from Sunparks De Haan aan Zee. Perfect for all generations.