Daily costs for projects
This is a hard call since it depends on the preferences of the person:
Breakfast at the hotel is a nice buffet but rather pricey at 14.00 euro per person (we do not recommend it)
If you are open to a continental breakfast (pastry and drink) you can eat at a sandwich shop for 2.50 to 4.00 euro per person
We usually only eat one big/hot meal per day. That is fairly common of Belgians but not all Americans. Eating during the day has various choices.
Lunch:
You can get a fresh sandwich and a drink for 4.50 to 6.00 euro.
If you like to eat in a restaurant you can find some Dagschotels (daily specials) which usually include soup, an appetizer or salad and main course for 10.00 to 14.00 euro. Your drinks are extra and there are no free refills. A glass of water or a soft drink are about the same price (around 2.50 to 3 euro)
Dinner:
A hot meal in a restaurant can be as expensive as you want. The local newspaper just asked readers to recommend their favorite local restaurant. The favorite has an evening meal for 75.00 to 90.00 euro per person.
But, it is possible to eat at a nice restaurant for 20.00 to 35.00 euro per person.
The good news is that tips are included in the price so you need not figure extras for tips.
Breaks:
A cup of coffee or tea will cost 1.90 to 2.75 per person.
Snack waffles are 1.75 to 2.00 per person
Frites (Belgian french fries, a must try) are 1.75 to 2.50 per serving.
You can go by a grocery store or shop and purchase other snacks and fruit as well.
We think you can eat for around 65.00 euro per person. It is very easy to spend more and possible depending on tastes and needs to spend less.
You will need to budget 30 to 50 euro cents per visit to public restrooms (and some private ones as well). Fortunately we know where most of the free ones are in Gent.
Most major shops and restaurants will take Visa or MasterCard. American Express is not accepted everywhere but it is growing in ability to use. Many smaller places are cash-only so you will need some local cash.