Not only did the Lonely Planet called Ghent city "Europe's best kept secret" and must see destination for 2011, moreover has the National Geographic Traveler Magazine put Ghent third in its global ranking of authentic destinations. At the end of November 2008, the magazine published a top 109 of the most authentic destinations worldwide. The historic city centre of Ghent is ranked on the third place! What a surprise! Not that Ghent is an authentic, real city filled with excellently preserved buildings, monuments and art treasures, but the real surprise is that the city is recognised for these qualities! And there’s more. Ghent is praised for its “brilliant mix of a wonderful past and a contemporary, vibrant city”.