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Only a World Cup could bring Old Europe and the Caribbean like this together but Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao.

Courtesy of Derself, who was born on a British military base.

And circumnavigated the world when her family returned from a posting in Australia.

Bringing back mementoes, as we all do, which have taken on another life as the years have rolled on.

A word from the advertisers

So meet Yorkie, here modelling a Curacao t-shirt which once adorned Derself and Der Daughterie of Derself.

And Barney Bear who despite his very Bavarian lederhosen hails from the home of German beardom, Swabia.

Now whisper it around Barney who doesn’t have the iconic button in his ear which all Steiff bears have.

He’s actually bear ein Berliner but the German capital too has a bear tradition going back 600 years.

All of which he told me at one of those hydration breaks they have brought in during halfs to sell advertising.

New alliances

World in my hands: At the German Football Museum in Dortmund

Now such is the bonhomie of a World Cup that new alliances are forged regardless of the scoreline.

Such as German football fans and Curacao supporters.

Although, in truth, the 150,000 party people of Curaçao’s connection is with the Netherlands.

Of which they are a constituent island nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While old alliances are renewed such as that between the Tartan Army and the samba-dancing Brazilians.

And yes, senor, we can boogie.

With the two sets of famously partying fans renewing acquaintances for a fifth time at World Cups in 50 years.

Another reason to see Amsterdam

Ride on: Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Now we obviously know our way around Germany but Curacao clearly takes more prep.

So if you’re not on a round-the-world boat journey, and you should, you deserve it.

Then it makes sense that you’ll fly out of Amsterdam with KLM.

Which we priced up at from £1,177pp from Edinburgh going through Tuliptown.

It is unrecognisable from the embers of February 13, 1945 when Allied bombers set the jewel of Saxony on fire but look at it now… Dresden’s phoenix from the flames 80 years on.

As talk turns to reconstruction in Ukraine, and also Gaza, Dresden stands as an object lesson.

to the world of a people’s resilience and ambition to restore itself to its former glories.

Dignitaries gathered in the city’s most sacred spot, its Holy of Holies, the Frauenkirche to mark the date.

Including the British royal family’s Duke of York, who would have been nine when the bombs dropped and likely little aware even of where Dresden was.

Although we’re told that he has spent the last 30 years fostering links between the one-time enemies.

Building bridges

Perhaps the most symbolic example of building bridges (and yes, the Elbe crossings had to be reconstructed too) involved silversmith Alan Smith.

The son of one of the bomber pilots who had taken part on the raid over Dresden on the night of the 14th of February 1945.

Who we were told when we met too in the reconstructed Frauenkirche over a German travel fair.

To hear of how the orb on the top of the building was his tribute to the Dresdeners of 1945.

At Great Uncle Willie’s grave: In Flanders, Belgium

We’ve seen first hand how the fiercest foes have stretched out a hand to end enmity.

As British soldier Harry Patch did past his 100th birthday in Ieper, Flanders.

And we as nations have in a NATO which is showing signs of stress.

But which it must be remembered has ensured peace in Western Europe for 80 years.

Hand in hand

Giving praise for our peace and security that day back eight years now.

While listening to the pastor in the Frauenkirche we had no foresight of what was to come in Ukraine.

The Chookie Kent will do the Ich Bin Ein Dresdener and link arms with the human chain in Germany.

Just as hundreds do annually, standing hand in hand to form a protective ring in remembrance of those who died.

Back then on my visit to Dresden we celebrated the living.

Me and Ingrid, our tour guide whose mum had been woken that ill-fated evening when the Red Storm befell Dresden.

And we, a Brit and German embraced 72 years later, a testimony that not all enmities are everlasting.

Travel facts

Dome from home: In front of the Frauenkirche

How to get there: KLM Dublin to Dresden via Amsterdam €167 Return €157.

Where to stay: The Amedia Plaza hotel in the old city: B&B three nights €243-315 for business single in July.