Pankaj’s Journey Through the Love, Laughter, and Lights of France with Thrillophila
They say the Eiffel Tower looks best at night. But for me, the moment that tower came into view - shimmering under a golden afternoon sun - I forgot all the pictures I had ever seen of it. None of them did justice to what I felt at that moment. My wife stood beside me, her eyes were sparkling, and she forgot she had the camera in her hand.
It was a beautiful milestone that we accomplished. This trip was a reminder, a rekindling, and a gentle pause in the midst of a life lived in fast-forward.
A Journey Rooted in a Promise
I vividly remember the conversation- it was a quiet evening, and my wife and I were sipping chai on the balcony, with the noise of daily life in the background.
“We should go somewhere,” she said casually, watching the sky darken.
“Where?” I asked.
She did not hesitate. “France.”
It was not the first time she had said it. France had been her dream ever since we were dating. And I had promised to take her there. But promises, as life teaches you, get tucked away beneath bills, meetings, and responsibilities…
…until now.
It was early 2025, and for once, we had time to actually travel to Europe and not just scroll through Google pictures. With Thrillophilia helping us plan every detail, we set off on a 10-day European journey. But our hearts? They were already in France.
The Start of the Real Dream in Amsterdam
We started in Amsterdam, and it was beautiful, no doubt. The canal cruise on our first evening gave us a soft landing in Europe. Lights twinkled in the water, voices murmured around us, and the Dutch charm gently wrapped itself around us. It was picturesque, and I remember thinking, “If this is just the beginning, what is Paris going to feel like?”
The next morning, walking through the Anne Frank House during the WWII walking tour was sobering. There was a kind of silence that history demands, and we both fell into it. It was grounding.
Reflective.
And in a strange way, it made the joy of travel even more valuable.
But then came Day 3, and with it, the high-speed train ride to Paris.
Entering the Beautiful City of Paris
The first thing I noticed in Paris was not the Eiffel Tower or the Seine - it was the fragrance. Fresh baguettes from a nearby bakery, a faint trace of perfume from passersby, and something else I could not place - maybe hope?
Our hotel was scenic, situated away on a quiet street. We arrived just before sunset, and instead of rushing off to see landmarks, we took a slow walk hand-in-hand. We thought…sometimes, the best way to meet a city is to let it come to you.
The next day, we did the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour, and I felt like a kid with a new toy. Every turn brought something iconic: the Arc de Triomphe standing proud and the Louvre whispering stories through its glass pyramid. We also saw the streets bursting with cafes, laughter, and a language that sounded like poetry.
But the Eiffel Tower - ah, the Eiffel Tower.
Thanks to Thrillophilia’s reserved access, we skipped the queues. And as we reached the summit, everything fell silent. The view stretched endlessly, with the Seine winding and tiny streets making their way through Paris.
She looked at me, teary-eyed again, and I remembered why we came- but to pause, to reconnect, to dream together.
Laughter & Joy in Disneyland Paris
After such a soulful day, we wanted some fun and excitement. And for this, what better place can we go than Disneyland?
It may sound childish, but that day was fun. We screamed on rollercoasters, shared candy floss, posed with Goofy, and danced during the parade. At one point, while laughing uncontrollably after a ride, I realised we had not laughed like that in months.
“We need more of this,” I told her. She nodded, wiping tears of laughter. “Not Disneyland, necessarily. Just... us.”
And that is exactly what France gave us - a return to “us.”
The Swiss Chapter
France had made such an impression that when we boarded our train to Zurich, we felt a little reluctant. But Switzerland, in its own quiet elegance, welcomed us with snowflakes and serene Alps.
Our first stop here was Zurich- beautiful in a calm and composed way. Walking by Lake Zurich with hot chocolate in hand made for a peaceful day. The snow-covered magic of Mount Titlis the next morning was cinematic…almost like being dropped into a fairytale.
And yet, as breathtaking as the Alps were, France had set the emotional tone of our trip. Everything else felt like the afterglow of a fire Paris had set.
Still, Interlaken and Grindelwald gave us postcard-worthy views and amazing moments. And the Lindt Home of Chocolate? Let us just say we were kids again (with our suitcases overflowing with chocolates by the end of it).
On our final evening, we stood by Lake Zurich and watched the orange-pink sky fold into the Alps. I thought about our conversation on the balcony again, before our trip…and how far we had come from that moment.
My Advice for Anyone Reading This
If there is a place you and your partner have always dreamt about, just go. Don’t wait for “someday.”
France, especially Paris, reminded us that romance is not in grand gestures - it is in slow mornings, spontaneous detours, shared desserts, and silent moments that say more than words.
So go.
Watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer.
Get lost in Montmartre.
Kiss upon the Seine.
Laugh with Mickey Mouse.
Hold hands during a snowfall in the Alps.
And come back changed.
We know we certainly did.
Read More: Thrillophilia France Reviews