A year has passed, and once again, we’re heading to the sea. The family complex Pra’delle Torri will be our summer residence for a whole week for the second time. Due to work commitments, however, we’re going in June. But why not? The weather should be quite similar to September, not too scorching, and it might rain less. Plus, the summer holidays haven’t started yet, so we’ll avoid the influx of tourists with school-aged children. It looks like an ideal vacation. But before we get there, we’ll make a stop halfway, this time choosing the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.

It's Friday, June 23, 2023, and we're leaving Brno in the style of a family expedition – the car packed to the roof, topped by our meticulously filled 600-liter roof box. We're planning one or two stops, just to stretch our legs, but only if the kids allow it and don't have any special requests.

We’ve booked a campsite in Ljubljana, but as usual, the weather is playing games with us, and the forecast predicts rain. Who wants to battle with a tent in a downpour only to pack it up wet the next day? Plan B quickly turns into Plan A: we check if there’s an available apartment at the campsite. But here we encounter our first challenge – we're a family of five, and not everyone is willing to accommodate us in a four-bed room, despite our young children. For us, more beds wouldn’t make sense anyway, as our kids tend to sleep with us, and every night is like solving a puzzle of fitting five people into four beds. This time, luck is on our side – a four-bed room with single beds that can at least partially be pushed together. Yes, it’s pricier than a tent, but we avoid the tent-pitching marathon and can head out to explore Ljubljana straight away.

We’re saving precious time by driving. The garages in Ljubljana provided a little adventure – we underestimated the height of the car with the roof box, but we squeezed in, with just a small “clink.”

Ljubljana welcomed us with open arms. Its center is surprisingly compact, with everything important within reach – a maximum of a ten-minute walk. When it was time to eat, street food near the Triple Bridge offered everything we could want: great food, drinks, and a slightly hipster vibe. It was an evening where Ljubljana showed its hospitality. But sleep wasn’t on the cards yet; we had to find those famous dragons of Ljubljana. Dragon Bridge? It sounds like something out of a fairytale. And when we arrived, the children’s eyes lit up with joy. Dragons, huge and majestic, on both sides of the bridge... It was the highlight of the day. The next day, we returned briefly to Ljubljana, but now it was finally time for bed.

The night was a true adventure, like a mix of modern gymnastics and parkour as we made sure no one fell or got lost in the bed puzzle, but we managed to get some rest. By now, we almost have it embedded in our muscle memory.

Our young critics didn’t quite appreciate the local breakfast, so yogurt became the undisputed hero of the morning. No problem, we still have snacks from home, so we’ll manage. Plus, we’ve already spotted an ice cream café in Ljubljana to replenish any missing calories. Packing up a few things, grabbing a quick coffee at the campsite, and we confidently head to the underground garage near the Triple Bridge. Dad turned into a living GPS; his sense of direction never fails us, unlike Mom, who can get lost even in her own apartment. Today’s mission: find the dragons, conquer Ljubljana Castle, and enjoy some ice cream.

We didn’t storm the castle but took the cable car elegantly, much to the kids’ delight, saving energy and avoiding any potential rebellion on the way up. The castle architecture—a blend of medieval origins from the 12th century and modern materials like metal and glass—captivated us. The kids didn’t share our enthusiasm, but we anticipated that, so on the way to the cable car, we “happened” upon a souvenir shop, and three new dragon friends joined us on the ride, making the castle visit much more enjoyable for them.

After the castle, we tackled another challenge: picking the best ice cream. Vanilla, mango, raspberry, chocolate—our trusted favorites. Sugar replenished, we strolled through the city, the sun pleasantly warm, but the kids’ stomachs were rumbling again. We played it safe and chose a pizzeria by the riverside—pizza and lemonade, the perfect combo. With full bellies, we gathered our last bits of strength, boarded the car, and headed for Italy. It was time for an afternoon nap, and that gave us hope for a peaceful journey with three little bundles of joy fast asleep.

Ljubljana, it was amazing with you. We already know we’ll return someday.

It’s two and a half hours to Caorle. There’s no rush; check-in isn’t possible until after siesta anyway. The journey is pleasant, and we can already feel the Mediterranean atmosphere. We know the reception process from last year, so nothing stops us from heading to our camping spot and setting up our tent hotel. This year, we have an amazing spot. We carefully selected it last year, scouting the campsite at different times of day to find a place with shade all day, especially in the afternoon, and close to the newly renovated marine-themed facilities because our ‘A’ wants to go to the bathroom by herself, but only to the octopus one. Now, we have a bit of a challenge to keep the kids entertained while we set up the essentials. So, it’s a cycle of snacks, stories, a walk to the octopus restroom, and throwing pebbles along the path. We did it! Now, swimsuits on, and we’re off to check out the sea. The sun may be setting, but we have to take a quick dip. ‘A’ runs straight into the water, ‘T’ is more cautious, waiting for Dad to carry him, and ‘Z’ insists on Mom, refusing to get wet. Relaxation can begin. After our first swim, we finish up our tent setup and go to bed. We’re tired today, so we leave the late-night fun to others and crawl into our sleeping bags right after the kids. The kids don’t stay in theirs, but we’re used to it, so even in summer, they sleep in long pajamas.

The morning is beautiful, sunny, and suspiciously quiet. Our kids are the early birds of the campsite. We’re ready for our holiday routine: breakfast, hygiene, sea, lunch, siesta, water park, dinner, hygiene, reading, bedtime, an Aperol or wine, and good night. Mom is calm, as we have a clear plan that won’t change for at least two days. Let’s get to it.

After breakfast and morning hygiene, the dress code is clear – swimsuits and beach attire. Our bike trailer quickly transforms into a cargo cart, where Dad expertly packs all the beach essentials: two umbrellas, two lounge chairs, a beach tent for the kids, a foam mat, inflatable vests, a giant float, and, of course, buckets and shovels. Meanwhile, Mom prepares snacks in the thermal bag and carefully applies sunscreen to everyone. We’re off, luckily just a few meters to the beach.

We pick a big enough spot where everything from the cart is arranged neatly. The umbrellas provide shade, the tent is securely anchored, and there’s plenty of space for digging trenches in the sand. And the relaxation can begin – at least for some. Dad tirelessly plays in the water with ‘A’, while Mom carries buckets of water because ‘T’ and ‘Z’ absolutely need to fill the dug-out hole with water. Naturally, it’s easier to bring water to the hole than to dig it by the water. But Mom doesn’t mind the exercise.

The sun rises, and noon approaches. We try to keep the kids in the shade as much as possible, but they’re getting tired. So, we harness up the cargo cart again, pack everything, and head to the tent. Thank goodness for the family shower cabins that fit Mom and all three kids. Washing up is like a scene from the movie "I Enjoy the World with You," as they line up, washing assembly-line style. We handle the wet part perfectly, but keeping the kids dry and at least partially dressed is another challenge. We finally succeed, so it’s time for lunch.

On hot days, the kids don’t feel like eating much, so the biggest hit at lunch is watermelon. After lunch, a quick visit to the “octopus” restroom, and then off to siesta. Fortunately, we’ve picked a great camping spot that provides shade all day, so the kids can nap in the tent with the door open and the fan on. We don’t have to carry them around in the trailer or carrier as we did last year. Meanwhile, we can also relax, read, and plan trips.

In the afternoon, we’re heading to the water park. 'A' is completely independent here and loves the section with the giant pirate ship, where water sprays everywhere. There are tons of slides and tunnels to crawl through—a paradise for kids and a nightmare for parents. We never know where she'll pop out, so we give her a bit of freedom and just check on her occasionally to make sure she’s safe. 'T' is still more cautious, but the smaller boat feels like a safe harbor for him, where he docks together with 'Z' and battles with water pistols.

After the water park adventure, we're set for dinner, a walk, and then straight to bed with, of course, a bedtime story. So books and a clip-on lamp are essentials in our gear.

Two days of relaxing at the campsite, beach, and water park were enough for us. The itch for adventure has led us to decide on a trip. The destination is clear—Padua. Just under an hour and a half by car, which is just right to keep the kids from plotting a rebellion. The weather promises sunshine and pleasant temperatures, though a city can always feel like an oven on low heat. We prefer not to set specific goals for such trips so we don’t get stressed if we miss something. But there are still things that can’t be skipped.

As soon as we park, we’re off to the city center, crossing Prato della Valle square with its elliptical canal. While we admire the geometric wonders, the kids dash across the bridges like little marathon runners. Being in Padua and not seeing the Basilica of Saint Anthony would be like going to Venice and skipping a gondola ride. The kids cool their excitement with delicious Italian ice cream, giving us time to admire one of the largest churches in Italy.

Though we don’t put much emphasis on formal education or judge anyone by it, both of us have university degrees. So, a visit to the University of Padua, one of the oldest in the world and the second-oldest in Italy, is magnetic. A quick stop at the courtyard, a diaper change for 'Z,' and an explanation of what a globe is to 'A,' who’s inspecting the stone model of the Earth. These contrasts are our daily reality. And 'T' isn’t even talking much yet; philosophical debates are still to come!

We continue onward. We just pass by and take photos of the legendary Caffé Pedrocchi, nicknamed the “café without doors,” as it used to be open day and night. We decide to skip a visit because our little ones aren't yet ready for proper table manners, although, in truth, we haven’t encountered negative reactions to “natural child behavior” in Italy. We stroll through the city, soaking up the local atmosphere, passing the Fruit Market (Piazza dei Frutti) and Vegetable Market (Piazza dell´Erbe), with the Palazzo della Ragione—the local town hall—towering between them. Near the Piazza dei Signori, over which the astronomical clock stands out, we choose a small family pizzeria. Pizza and lemonade are always a perfect choice, and although the tablecloth looks like it survived a minor flood, the staff is more than friendly and polite.

The afternoon siesta calls, so we load 'A' and 'T' into the stroller, 'Z' falls asleep with mom in the carrier, and we slowly head back to the car. We take the side streets to avoid the noise and to see a bit of everyday life in Padua. It’s like everywhere else—some parts are poorer, others more luxurious. Still, water always has its charm in a city, whether it’s the sea, a river, a canal, or a fountain.

On the way back to the campsite, we enjoy a bit of commercial shopping at the McArthur Glen outlet mall. Not that we feel the need to spend a fortune, but curiosity about what Italians wear keeps us intrigued. In the end, we buy something nice because, why not? A quick stop in the play area, and tired but happy, we look forward to heading back to the campsite.

The next morning at the campsite doesn’t look like a postcard. The sun has taken a vacation, and in its place is a cold wind. So, we won’t be needing swimsuits today. Alternative plan – the playground. But it wasn’t exactly an original idea – all the kids from the campsite had the same one. ‘A’ has no trouble fitting in with the group; she handles the climbing frames with ease and gets to the slide too. Younger kids have it harder – everyone cuts in front of them, pushes, or ignores them. Mom’s nerves are fraying, so we change the plan. We’ll go to the beach, use the biggest sandbox possible, and build sandcastles. Digging in the sand is always a hit, plus this time it’s not accompanied by mom’s “come into the shade, dig here under the umbrella…”

The afternoon siesta is a real siesta – the weather has lulled even us, so we lie down with the kids without any guilt. In the afternoon, the weather improves a bit, and the kids persuade us to at least go to the water park. We save our energy because the evening program is handled by the campsite animators, and we’re heading to the amphitheater for a concert by the local Michael Jackson. Just to be safe, we take the stroller and carrier in case someone decides it’s time to sleep during the concert.

The evening’s surprise: ‘A’ made it until the end, ‘T’ sat in the stroller before the end but didn’t fall asleep, and ‘Z’ calmly fell asleep halfway through the concert despite the noise. They must take after their dad when it comes to late nights and fun! Now we just hope they’ll sleep longer in the morning.

But the sun pulls them from their beds and calls them to the sea. Alright, we’re practiced at this, and after breakfast, we head to the beach loaded like Sherpas. ‘A’ has been watching the girls in the campsite with beautifully braided hair, some even in different colors. She wants them too. Well, what wouldn’t we do for her, especially Dad. Right on the beach, he finds a friendly woman who braids her hair with a “special discount.” Next year, we’ll arrange the braids on the first day because it’s perfect for maintenance – no brushing, pulling, or washing…

The kids are already pros on the beach, so we get a chance to relax a bit too. In the afternoon, we head to Caorle, where we have a favorite café with excellent ice cream. Ice cream never gets old, and the kids are then willing to wander the town with us for a while. When dinner time arrives and we’re not cooking today, we search for a nice pizzeria nearby. We drive a bit outside Caorle, and a full parking lot gives us hope for a good meal.

The food was great, the service friendly, and there was even a small playground, but the mosquitoes were a nightmare. Yes, we foolishly set out without repellent – we won’t make that mistake again. The meal took three times as long because every bite was interrupted by slapping ourselves to minimize the number of bites.

On Friday morning, we indulge in one last beach relaxation, and in the afternoon, we start thinking about what we won’t need anymore and can start packing. We sort clothes, tidy up beach gear and toys. In the evening, we take one last walk on the beach to say goodbye to the sea, hoping to return next year. The kids are asleep, we finish the last of the Aperol and start packing bit by bit to have as little as possible left for the morning. Packing is always a hassle, and it’s always harder fitting it back into the car – it’s never as neatly packed as when we left home. Plus, we’re taking new things and a year’s supply of coffee and pasta. So, we’re done, continuation tomorrow morning, and that’s when the real nerves start.

And here it is – Saturday and the end of our summer by the sea. We have to cram everything into the car and roof box and ideally head out as soon as possible. But honestly, we don’t have high hopes of getting it done before ten. The new tenants can only check in after siesta anyway, so even if we leave around noon, it’s fine. We have 405 km ahead of us, and the GPS shows nearly 5 hours of driving.

What a surprise when, around nine in the morning, a family walks by and, after a few minutes, shyly asks when we’ll be leaving because they have reserved our spot and would like to settle in. We didn’t know where to turn first, so we put on the friendliest smile we could manage and promised we’d try to clear out as soon as possible. But as they surely understand, with three little angels who weren’t exactly having their sunniest day, it won’t be the smoothest departure.

It’s past eleven, and we’re finally cutting the wristbands at the gate and heading to Camp Temel in Altaussee, Austria. So, Italy – see you again next year.

The journey is surprisingly smooth. The kids alternate between napping and waking up. ‘A’ plays the navigator, announcing each sign and staring at road signs as if it were a detective story. With one stop to stretch our legs, we arrive at the destination. The campsite is absolutely enchanting. It’s a peaceful place with all necessary facilities, and above it rises the majestic Tressenstein lookout, promising us adventure. But first, we have to tackle the tedious job of unpacking, setting up the tent, and preparing things. Temperatures here are quite low, so we pull out our softshell clothes and rubber boots. We don’t feel like doing anything major today, so we just keep an eye on the weather and plan where we’ll go for a hike in the area.

We’re about half an hour away from Hallstatt by car, and yes, we know it’ll be a tourist madhouse, but we’ll take the risk. The weather doesn’t look great, so rubber boots and raincoats are essential. Mom isn’t thrilled about it, but Dad, as always, says, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” Even when parking, it’s clear we’ll be wading through crowds, but since we’re here, we want to see it with our own eyes.

The sightseeing boat cruise looks fantastic – the view is always best from the water, and we can take shelter from the rain that has just started. A slight problem: they refused to take our bike trailer on board. There was a stroller, but space was tight. So we had to lock the trailer at the boarding pier and complete the full circuit, only to pick it up soaked afterward. The cruise itself is an experience – three small children in a confined space with no escape. It’ll either be peaceful or a complete disaster. So we go with the classics: snacks, a walk around the deck, reading leaflets and signs…

Fortunately, Dad is our weather mascot, and after Mom’s desperate plea, the clouds parted within half an hour, revealing the stunning panoramas of Hallstatt. Really, seeing is believing. Raincoats off, jackets off, sleeves up, sweatshirts off… and that’s enough. Yes, it’s beautiful here, but a bit too touristy. Our mood was lifted by the local firefighters with their celebration – the sausage and beer hit the spot.

After the crowds, we’re longing for the peace of our campsite, but we’ll give Altausseer See a chance. A beautiful walk around the lake and almost no one here. We walked all the way to the town of Altaussee, where the biggest attractions were the playground and ducks on the lake. We’re not in a hurry; we’re here and now, saving our energy for tomorrow’s hike to Tressenstein.

In the morning at breakfast, we show the kids our goal for the day: “See that hill with the lookout tower? That’s where we’re going today!” The kids see it as a journey to the end of the world. The navigation says it’s an hour and a quarter, 3.5 km, with an elevation gain of 434 meters. Sure, we’re taking a carrier for ‘Z’ and the trailer for ‘A’ and ‘T’ is also a necessity. We’re trying to figure out if we can even get there with the trailer, but no one can give us an answer. People simply don’t realize the extremes Dad is willing to go with that trailer – dragging, pushing, or carrying it.

Aerial images of the surrounding terrain don’t help much either, as no paths are visible through the trees. Oh well, off we go. We set off and soon find ourselves in the forest, where we start climbing. We’re immediately greeted by log steps. How far does this go? Should we even attempt it? Dad decides: “We’re going!” ‘Z’ is with Mom in the carrier, ‘A’ tackles the steps like a mountain goat, and ‘T’ hops up, sometimes with a little help. And Dad? Bravely bumps the trailer upwards. The steps are at least wide enough to tackle backward. But a narrow passage between the rock and the railing over the ravine is a real challenge. Dad has to lift and tilt the trailer; so far, only one reflector has suffered. Luckily, Dad’s okay.

Mom goes ahead to give Dad a break from questions like: “How’s it going, Dad? Is the trailer heavy? Can we sit and have you pull us?” It’s shaping up to be a long day. But we did it. Just below the top, we faced one last steep gravel section, but the kids took pity and walked part of the way. We made it! We pass the lookout tower first, leave the trailer, and head to the transmitter’s viewing platform. The town of Bad Aussee is at our feet.

Now, up to the lookout tower; the kids love climbing the stairs. From the tower, there’s a stunning view of Altaussee Lake and Loser Mountain, with Dachstein visible in the background, and Grundlsee Lake on the other side. We can’t believe we’re here. But now, how do we get down? Going back the same way isn’t an option. Going down is always harder, plus Dad has to brake the trailer, and Mom can’t see her feet with the baby in front. We need a safer alternative. We choose the bike path. It’ll be longer but hopefully an easier route.

We have just under 7 km ahead. One by one, the kids take a nap, so we can pick up the pace a bit. Uh-oh, Mom has stopped talking and is just walking rhythmically. That means only one thing: she's had enough, and if she didn’t have a sleeping 'Z' in the carrier, she'd be swearing like a sailor. But the scenery! The views are phenomenal, and even though part of the path was on asphalt, there was little traffic, so we could enjoy it. Mom enthusiastically admired the fruit trees forming an edible hedge along the houses.

One more kilometer, and we’ll be at the campsite. We’re all exhausted, but we’ll push through. Hooray for the trip, we didn’t get rained on…

We need a break. Over coffee, we check the weather forecast, and it doesn’t look good at all. We decide to head home tomorrow to avoid the rain. So, off we go to the town of Bad Aussee. We need to buy something for dinner and stock up for the trip, and ice cream and a playground are also a good idea.

Bad Aussee is a peaceful little spa town. It’s already evening, so we only have time to shop at the local supermarket, enjoy some ice cream, and take a short walk. The map shows we’re close to a playground, so we head there and suddenly see one of the most interesting structures in Bad Aussee – the Mercedes Brücke bridge. It’s shaped like a three-pointed star, just like the Mercedes-Benz logo, with a diameter of 27 meters, making it the largest depiction of the automaker’s logo in the world. Enough with the encyclopedia moment; now it’s time to swing and slide.

We need to gather our strength for tomorrow’s packing and get ready for the car Tetris required to fit all our things.

In the evening, we pay for the campsite and, with apologies for leaving a day early due to the approaching rain, say goodbye to our hosts. We pack everything we won’t need, prepare snacks for the journey, and with tired legs and sadness that the holiday is ending, we fall asleep.

It’s the morning of July 4th, and we have to finish packing, cram everything into the car, and head home. We have over four and a half hours of driving ahead, but with one or two stops, we’ll make it. The kids are already thinking about what they’re most looking forward to at home, which toy they missed the most, and planning where we’ll go next year.