We had breakfast in the hotel which lives up to it's amazing reviews.

The owner, a kind gentleman with adorable formal tie and sweater escorts us to our table. We have misty garden views out the window. I wonder how our apartment isn't in the folds of his lovingly cared for hotel and am glad he asks how we slept not how we like the apartment.

Pearl enjoyed Nutella on croissants for breakfast and our tea party. There is cheese and meat, cold vegetables and yogurt with cereal and eggs made to order and lots and lots of fresh breads.

We bring Dakota and Pearl home to rest and Sam and I take a walk around the fortress.

There is a lavender garden with ancient rocks symbolic of the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. These metal things are protecting them, I assume because they are so old? Not really sure.

We see spiral gardens, heart shaped hedges and compost piles. The valley below is a picture. In spring and summer this area will be full of flowers.

We find the kid's fresh pretzels and I make another trip to the apothecary for Dr Hauschka, this time decidedly prepared to get myself a few things I wouldn't buy in the states. It's half price! I wish the birkenstock store was the same.

Pearl took a walk to get a few crystals. There is a famously photographed spot and Sam got her picture.

Sam ventures out to get us dinner and takes some pictures of the town glowing at night. Rothenburg was the #1 place I wanted to see and things kinda fell apart here. The town itself is really sweet and despite being a huge tourist destination it remains authentic and completely charming.

Tomorrow we start the return trip and Dakota is not well. It will be hard on her to travel like this, maybe not possible... Luckily Sam packs for emergencies and we have the medications we need to get through just about anything. I've maybe never felt so far away from the comforts of our home.