Week 212: Our 7-day Journey Back Home

212 weeks ago, our expat adventure began with a post on The Pack Mama, recapping our first week abroad. A post filled with excitement, uncertainty, and dreams of exploration. Now, I find myself writing the 212th post and the final week of our expat lives.

This journey back home wasn’t just a relocation; it was a farewell tour, a celebration of the places and experiences that shaped us over the past four years. Here’s one last recap sharing our adventure from the shores of Traunsee to the steps of our new home in Illinois.

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

Day 1

We woke up early to take the dogs on one last walk around our favorite park. It felt like the mountains were grieving our departure too, hidden beneath a blanket of clouds, similar to the past ten days. On our last family walk along the Traunsee, we soaked in the quiet beauty of the lake and sleepy town. The swans swam by, and as if on cue, a flock of ducks flew past us—like it was an unspoken farewell.

With heavy hearts, we packed the car and backed down our gravel driveway one final time.

Three hours later, we arrived in Nuremberg, Germany. A city steeped in history and a place that had been on Eric’s list since arriving 4 years ago.

Eric explored the courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials took place, complete with its original furniture.

I took the dogs on a long walk around a nearby park.

Later, we visited the Nazi Party rally grounds, a reminder of the events that shaped modern history.

That night, we settled into Heidelberg, a charming town nestled on the Neckar River. Staying at the Berggasthof Hotel deep in the forest, we were able to relax before the next leg of the journey.

Day 2

The morning started with a walk through the forest and Heidelberg’s charming Old Town. The cobblestone streets were filled with tourists, many speaking English, which felt oddly comforting.

90 minutes later, we crossed into France and stopped at the Maginot Line. A series of French fortifications built during WWI and reinforced before WWII.

Though we couldn’t enter the bunkers, just standing there was a reminder of the sacrifices made during those wars.

By the evening, we arrived in Verdun, France, checking into the B&B Verdun.

Day 3

The hotel wasn’t anything fancy, so we quickly escaped to explore the sites marked by the Battle of Verdun during WWI…one of the longest and most brutal battles in history.

*Eric and Charlie between French and German flags*

*Standing on the bombed out battlefield*

After a few hours of jumping from spot to spot, we made the 3.5 hour drive to Dunkirk. I was excited for this part of the trip. While Eric explored a museum, the dogs and I played along the beach.

It was time to check into our hotel which was… unique. We had booked a hotel room at Reve Bleu on booking.com, but it turned out to be in a family’s actual home. While feeling the need to sneak in and out to avoid disturbing their kids and cat added some awkwardness, their hospitality and proximity to the beach and boardwalk made it memorable.

Day 4

After breakfast in the family’s dining room, we returned the rental car to the Calais Train station. We waited for our PetTravel taxi driver, Kenny to arrive. He was an old Scottish man, and he and Eric were two peas in a pod. For 2.5 hours they talked non-stop about travel, war sites, politics, and his life stories while the dogs and I sat in the back listening to their comedic conversations.

Click here to learn more about the Pet Travel Abroad taxi service

When he dropped us off at our hotel in London, Eric was sad to see him go.

We stayed at the Kings Arms Hotel in Stansted, a cozy inn with a British pub where we had a delicious fish and chips lunch.

*Daisy and Charlie in front of our London Hotel*

Day 5

The day we’d been eagerly awaiting finally arrived: our flight on Bark Air, a company revolutionizing pet travel with its luxury dog-centric flights. Their first flight took off in May 2024 and we flew the same week the company had reached their 50th flight.

Our Uber pulled up and took us to the exclusive Harrods terminal at Stansted Airport. Charlie and Daisy were greeted like VIPs.

The Bark Air team took care of everything—from checking our luggage to ensuring the dogs were at ease.

Inside the terminal, the dogs’ celebrity treatment continued as the flight attendant introduced herself with an enthusiastic “Hi Charlie, Hi Daisy!” We settled into a cozy corner by the window at the lounge soaking up the zen atmosphere.

Ten minutes before boarding, the dogs were allowed to go back outside for one last potty break, adding a thoughtful touch to an already seamless process. There were 11 dogs in total on our flight.

When it was time to board, Charlie and Daisy’s names were called first, and we were escorted to a private security room. Here, a team of TSA agents welcomed them with excited smiles. The dogs’ metal leashes meant they required a full pat-down, which they handled like pros.

Then it was out to the tarmac. We were told to walk single file and quickly for everyone’s safety. As soon as we stepped outside, cars zoomed by, private jets idling with engines humming, and the air thick with anticipation. This was the moment I started envisioning a scene from Homeward Bound when Shadow, Chance, and Sassy escaped on the tarmac. Luckily, they stayed calm and secure in their harnesses.

After an eight-minute walk across the tarmac, we paused for a quick photo in front of the Bark Air jet.

Boarding was smooth, and we were thrilled to discover we’d been assigned a four-seat section in the back of the plane, complete with Bark Air-branded blankets and pillows. Charlie and Daisy hopped into the window seats while Eric and I opted for the aisle seat.

Once all the dogs were onboard, the flight attendant provided a quick rundown of the journey. She pointed out a special bathroom equipped with pee pads, though no one ended up needing them during the flight.

Then, the fine dining began. Charlie and Daisy started with yogurt-covered biscuits from a doggie menu before sipping doggie champagne served in Bark Air-branded silver bowls. For dessert, they enjoyed puppuccinos presented on silver platters.

While the dogs indulged, it was time for the humans to enjoy a meal. We had pre-selected our options weeks earlier, and the dishes did not disappoint. Between the food service and the novelty of the experience, the first few hours flew by.

*The human food - Roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, rolls, and blueberry cheesecake*

The next highlight was Bark Air’s onboard spa service. The flight attendant offered a basket of paw and nose creams, warm towels, and even scented robes. Charlie basked in the full spa treatment, while Princess Daisy, true to form, opted for a quick paw cleanse and nothing more.

As the flight neared its end, the team handed out Bark Air swag: a tote bag packed with a lint roller, and—hilariously—dog Crocs. While I can’t imagine Charlie and Daisy wearing them, they might come in handy during the upcoming winter in Illinois.

As we descended, the smoggy New York City skyline came into view—my first glimpse of NYC and this exciting new chapter we were embarking on.

Upon landing at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, customs was a breeze. A border patrol agent boarded the plane to verify all dog and human documents, and within ten minutes, we were off.

The dogs wasted no time finding the nearest patch of grass, and we soon loaded into a rental van for the drive to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

That night, at the Hilton Scranton Conference Center, Charlie and Daisy collapsed into bed, content and tired after their whirlwind day. It felt good to be back on American soil, with this major leg of our journey complete and memories of an unforgettable Bark Air experience in our hearts.

Day 6

The first morning stateside started with an Office-themed walk. Eric was thrilled to visit locations from the show, and the dogs enjoyed the walk through town.

From there, we drove five hours to Cleveland, stopping at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the newest additions to the National Park System. Though smaller and less dramatic than others, it offered a peaceful break from the drive. It was just one more park off our bucket list to visit all 63.

That evening, we stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel, a historic building converted into a modern, pet-friendly hotel.

Day 7

The final stretch! A 5-hour drive to Illinois. We left Cleveland, stopped at Bass Pro Shop, where the dogs could roam and the Indiana Dunes National Park, where the dogs got another chance to play on the beach. Though not as impressive as the beaches in Dunkirk, it was a fun stop to stretch our legs.

This 7-day, 4464-mile journey ended at 5:30 PM as we pulled into the driveway of our new home. Charlie and Daisy got to sniff their new yard. They sniffed every inch of the house and caught a glimpse at all the squirrels they will try to chase every day.

Thank you to everyone who has followed our journey. While we won’t post weekly updates anymore, we may still share a few informational blog posts here for those who wish to travel to Austria.

Week 212: Our 7-day Journey Back Home

Week 211: Our Final Week in Austria