Our train journey from Utrecht to Cologne marked the start of an adventure through Germany’s layered history, where medieval cathedrals, war‑scarred monuments, and Cold War relics stand side by side. From the soaring Gothic beauty of Cologne Cathedral to Berlin’s moving memorials and remnants of the Wall, each stop revealed a city shaped by resilience and reinvention.

Racing across Europe at 300 km/h, we spent a month exploring eight countries by train, with a detour to Morocco. The journey was smooth, scenic, and surprisingly affordable, quickly turning train travel into one of our favorite ways to see the world.

Meet Tyqua, the hilariously stubborn curly retriever of Wijk bij Duurstede, whose stick obsession, cat-chasing antics, and biscuit rituals made her the heart of our two-week stay with Opi and Nana. From forest walks to dishwasher duties, every moment with her was pure joy and unforgettable mischief.

Staying with my Dutch grandparents, Opi and Nana, felt like a welcome slice of home after nine months of travel, filled with warm meals, old photo albums, and daily walks with the dog that were perfect for bonding. Our time there was a blend of comfort and Dutch culture, from learning to make apple compote with Nana to cycling to a local farm and exploring historical sites on Monument Day.

Despite being on a plane for 2.5 hours our flight never took off, our original flight got cancelled due to a distant storm. Meanwhile the airline's AI had an interesting re-routing plan that involved the UK, a country we, as Australians, could not enter without a visa. After some human intervention and a creative reroute, we finally made it to Amsterdam via an unexpected stopover in Philadelphia, only to discover our bags had taken their own separate holiday to Nashville. This blog is the start of SQAD’s European adventures.