I know that we will be visiting St. Bravo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece. I contacted the RS Office and found out that there are no planned activities for the rest of the day, so we would be able to spend as much time as we want.
For those of you on tour, did anyone purchase the Augmented Reality in the Crypt when you entered as a group? Did you reserve ahead...or when you entered?
And if so, are you able to view the Altarpiece with the group, then do the Augmented Reality, and perhaps go back to the Altarpiece?
Pam (on the Forum) highly recommended the Augmented Reality, but I would rather not make two separate entrances to the Altarpiece. I am really looking forward to seeing the Altarpiece again. Our first visit was pre-Covid, before they built a new area for it.
Thanks!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5963 posts
We used the Augmented Reality tour on our own ( not a RS tour) spring, 2024. It was an excellent way to provide background and the history of this amazing piece. The panels are large, and there's a glass wall between you and the art work. Without the AR tour, I would have missed the significance of many of the details.
The tickets are timed, and may be sold out for the times around your RS tour. I'd buy in advance. The AR is a very quality experience.
After the AR tour, we had lunch, and then did a Charlie's Chocolate Tour. This was also fantastic. We purchased the tickets directly from the company . (We were told that Viator gets 30%, but that small vendors cannot exist without the third-party sellers.) However, buying directly from the small businesses themselves is the best.
Have a great time!
Posted by
1089 posts
We took the RS tour last April. Upon our group arrival, we sat in the cathedral while a local guide shared some insight that was quite interesting and informative. Then as a group we entered into the area where the Ghent Altarpiece and many other rooms of art are located. We were on our own to enjoy it for as long as we wanted to.
My husband and I walked downstairs from within this separated area (same elevator/staircase up/down) to go check out the Augmented Reality in the crypt. It is staffed in the crypt and I recall we could pay down there, and they give you all the equipment down there. We didn't participate but wanted to see what it was about. Then we walked back upstairs to take a final look at the Ghent Altarpiece. I found it fascinating that once you get on the floor where the Ghent Altarpiece is, you come through a small room with a very large P. Rubens painting, which nobody stops to look at. Everyone is in such a hurry to get to the Altarpiece, that nobody stops to take a look!
So, as long as you don't walk out the exit into the main cathedral you are fine to explore both of those areas.
If you know for sure you want the experience, you could buy tickets in advance just in case, but it wasn't a problem at all if we had wanted to participate spur of the moment. We were there mid-April when tourist season was in full swing. I suppose it depends upon when you are going?
Enjoy!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
576 posts
I also did the Augmented Reality on my own. I totally agree with what Pat said, and I recommend it. I reserved ahead but same day walkins were also accommodated (Oct. 2023). Just before I excited, I asked directions to a restroom and was told that since I still had my ticket, I could just backtrack to the restroom near the entrance but still inside the ticketed area. I mention this because I basically ended up walking through the whole ticketed area a second time with no problem in the process of finding the restroom and then leaving.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16827 posts
Post by james20240303 reported.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
700 posts
Pat & CD: Thanks for confirming that the Augmented Reality tour is great. We are definitely going to do it while on tour.
KD: Thanks for explaining the time the tour group had at St. Bravo to view the Altarpiece. Sounds like we will have the option to do it.
@Pat: A Charlie's Chocolate Tour? I don't think it's even mentioned in the RS Belgium guidebook. But I shouldn't be surprised that you were able to find a chocolate tour. How did Charlie's chocolates compare with Swiss chocolate?