Base Location: Aachen, Germany

Aachen is a charming city known for its traditional Christmas market. It's within a 4-hour drive from
Ghent and serves as a central point to other nearby towns with Christmas markets.

Accommodation:
While I couldn't find a specific cottage listing from the search results, I recommend checking
platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or Rentbyowner for a cottage with at least 5 bedrooms in
Aachen. Ensure to book in advance given the holiday season.

Day 1 (26th December 2023):

Arrival in Aachen: Start your journey from Ghent in the morning and arrive in Aachen. Check into
your cottage.
Explore Aachen: Spend the day exploring Aachen's Christmas market and the city's historical sites.
Day 2 (27th December 2023):

Day Trip to Cologne: Cologne is about an hour's drive from Aachen. The city boasts multiple
Christmas markets, with the most famous one near the Cologne Cathedral.
Return to Aachen: In the evening, head back to your cottage in Aachen.
Day 3 (28th December 2023):

Day Trip to Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf is also about an hour's drive from Aachen. Explore its Christmas
market and the city's attractions.
Return to Aachen: Head back to your cottage in the evening.
Day 4 (29th December 2023):

Relax in Aachen: Spend the morning at leisure, perhaps exploring any parts of Aachen you missed
earlier.
Drive back to Ghent: Start your journey back to Ghent in the afternoon.
This itinerary allows you to explore three major cities known for their Christmas markets while
having a single base location to return to each night. It minimizes the hassle of packing and
unpacking, making the trip more enjoyable.
Would you like assistance with anything else related to your trip?