We are finally entering a country we’ve been to before on this trip, Germany. We’ll spend a few days in Dresden, a week in Berlin, and then we’ll be back in Sweden. I can’t believe it’s all gone by so fast!

It’s a quick pack up and go this morning. The housekeeper comes at 9:40, irked we haven’t left yet. Checkout is at 10. Come on. We do leave on time this morning, so maybe a little encouragement from the housekeeper helped.

It’s 4 hours to Dresden, and Prague sits halfway. Of course we must stop. We traveled to Prague last October, and we found an absolute favorite spot called Lokal. Once in the car, we call Lokal and reserve a table.

The drive to Prague is uneventful. We listen to some political podcasts that get boring, then we try the new In The Dark podcast (kids wear headphones).

We park at the mall and walk over to Lokal. I love that we don’t even have to check in with a host, but simply find a table with my name on it. Stefan is incredibly excited to order his favorite Pilsner Urquell and everything on the menu. The beer is delicious, but I think Stefan built it up too big in his mind. The food is incredible. The best schnitzel I’ve ever had. We have to order a second because Lillian is so offended I ate some of hers. Oly eats two hotdogs like it’s nothing but breathing. Everyone is happy here. We play some cards, but we mostly eat.

//Stefan: fresh urquells really are the best beer in the world, #1.  Ll call them “Fresh Urquies” for papa.

After our fabulous meal, we walk past our old Airbnb and our favorite pancake place we ate at every day we were here, Den Noc. I stop for a latte and some bananas for snack time later. It’s fun to revisit places and remember the fun we had as a family, just one year ago.

We walk through the main square to see the astrological clock. We don’t have time for much else , so we meander back toward the car. This is a great city, but I didn’t remember so many tourists everywhere. That makes it less charming than it was in my memory.

I’m driving this portion, so Stefan could have a few beers are lunch. This is the first time I’ve driven since Tuscany. And before that was in Sweden. I don’t miss it.

The drive is easy, though, and it goes by quickly. I think this seat is more comfortable than the passenger seat, too.

We arrive in Dresden, and within two blocks of our apartment we find a great parking spot on the street. Sweet! I parallel park (it’s been a long time, but I still have it!) and we unload. I already like this town. It feels so familiar. There are a lot of cute shops, bars and restaurants. Everyone is walking or biking home from work, some with kids in tow. It’s wonderful.

This Airbnb host also owns the bar downstairs. It’s a board game bar! He sends an employee to meet us because he speaks better English. Then we begin the hike up to the apartment. 4 flights of stairs! Sweet Stefan carries up all the bags. I can’t believe it. I also can’t believe the kids climb the stairs without so much as batting an eye.

This Airbnb is really beautiful, with lots of natural light and a huge bath tub. But there is no second bedroom. Bummer. The couch pulls out into a bed, so the kids will sleep there. The living room is a nice size, so there’s still room to sit. It’ll be fine.

We hang around as the kids acclimate to their new space. The usually like to jump and/or run on every single surface before we go do anything.

We finally convince them we should go get some food. Our host told us about a great pizza spot at the corner, so we head there. They don’t allow dogs, so we just order to-go and take it back to the apartment. It’s a beautiful spread, and all for 26 Euros. I love it. The pizza is mediocre, but the antipasti plate, salad and pasta bolognese are amazing. The kids are super happy to have pasta again too.

The night’s big event is the kids’ bath. They can’t wait. We put in a special bath salt they bought in Zagreb. We’re surprised to find it turns the bath red! I’m a bit concerned the kids may be red for a few days, but it’s worth it. They play for half an hour, acting out different scenarios that Lillian makes up. She feeds Oly the lines and he obediently does his best to execute them. I love it.
Finally, bed time. The house is still except the sound of laundry being done. Absolute perfection.