Across Europe with Mom: Aashi Verma’s Dream Journey With Thrillophilia
It was a regular night in 2024. I was sitting on the balcony and scrolled through travel photos online, while my mom folded laundry beside me. While looking at the picture of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, I suddenly said, “What if we finally take that European trip?”
My mom looked surprised and then smiled softly.
That was it. We were not going to keep putting it off.
Within a week, we connected with Thrillophilia, and their team, especially Aman, helped us craft an itinerary that covered all the places we had once daydreamed about: Paris, Venice, Lucerne, Amsterdam, Rome…
And then finally, in June 2024, we boarded our flight with hearts full of anticipation and eyes already misty with excitement.
City of Lights, Laughter, and Long-Awaited Moments
Touching down in Paris felt like stepping into a painting I had seen a thousand times. Our first evening was peaceful with a warm Indian dinner, some laughter with fellow travellers, and a slow walk back to the hotel.
But it was the next day when the magic began.
When we stood beneath the Eiffel Tower, my mom clutched my hand tightly. “I used to see this in black-and-white textbooks,” she whispered in a breaking voice. “Now I am standing in front of it… I can’t believe this!”
We clicked a hundred photos, yet nothing captured how it truly felt.
Later, we lost ourselves among the masterpieces at the Louvre. But it was the Seine River cruise that left the deepest impression. As our boat floated past glowing bridges and golden architecture, I caught my mom humming a song (one I had not heard in years). I leaned my head on her shoulder. In that quiet moment, I did not care how fast time was passing. I was just glad we had stopped to live this.
The next day was meant for either Disneyland or leisure, and we chose the latter. We strolled the boulevards, tasted buttery croissants, and sat at a tiny corner café where Mom attempted a “Bonjour” and got a wink and a warm smile in return. It was the Paris she had always imagined, and she was in it.
Through Waffles and Windmills
On Day 4, we crossed into Belgium while stopping at the vibrant Grand Place in Brussels. We laughed at the quirky Manneken Pis statue, explored the grandeur of St. Michael’s Church, and posed near the futuristic Atomium.
But the moment I will never forget was us standing in the middle of a narrow cobbled street and sharing a piping hot Belgian waffle loaded with chocolate. My mom bit into hers and closed her eyes, “It is like heaven on a plate,” she said, her joy was so pure that it made me laugh.
We reached Amsterdam later that evening. The canals, the bridges, and the tilted buildings looked magical.
The next day, we picked Zaanse Schans over the Tulip Garden (not in bloom). Watching wooden clogs being carved, cheese being aged, and the windmills turning slowly under grey skies was like walking through a living museum.
Later, during the canal cruise through the city, we both sat silently and soaked in the peacefulness. The gentle ripples and the golden hour light reminded me that sometimes, stillness is the most beautiful kind of movement.
Cathedrals, Forests, and the Magic of Snow
Day 6 took us to Cologne, where the Cathedral towered above us. My mom stood there and said, “Imagine how many prayers these walls must have heard.”
That night, we stayed in Frankfurt. Our conversations at dinner had shifted. We no longer talked about what we had left behind in India, but about the people we met, the accents we tried to copy, and the souvenirs we wanted to buy.
Then we visited Switzerland.
As we travelled through the Black Forest and beside the roaring Rhine Falls, I saw a sparkle in Mom’s eyes that reminded me of my childhood.
But nothing compared to the beauty of Mount Titlis.
As we ascended in the rotating cable car, snowflakes moved around us. At the top, I saw my mom building a snowman with her gloves half on and her laughter ringing. “I have not seen snow since I was a teenager,” she smiled.
We walked the Cliff Walk and later warmed up with Swiss hot chocolate in Lucerne. The Lion Monument, the lake cruise, and the old wooden Chapel Bridge were also mesmerising.
From Fairy-Tale Towns to Floating Cities
In Vaduz, we boarded a small tram and rode through a place that looked too perfect to be real. Next, the Swarovski Crystal World dazzled us, followed by the historic charm of Innsbruck, Austria. The Golden Roof shimmered in the afternoon light as street musicians played melodies.
By the time we reached Venice, my feet were sore, but my spirit was high. The city was a painting of blue water and stone bridges.
As our Vaporetto made its way through the canal waters that evening, my mom whispered, “This is exactly how I imagined it...”
We skipped the gondola ride for budget reasons, but walking through St. Mark’s Square, seeing the Doge’s Palace, and crossing the Bridge of Sighs was enough. I kept stealing glances at her, wondering if she was here or if I was dreaming it.
A Leaning Tower and One Final Sunset
We drove through Tuscany to Pisa next, and yes, we did the cliché leaning-tower photos. But what stood out was our visit to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, where we stood watching the city under the pink blush of sunset. My mom turned to me and said, “This whole trip... I feel like I am living a second youth.”
The final stop was Rome, and honestly, it was grand. We explored the Vatican, stood breathless in the Sistine Chapel, and stared up at St. Peter’s Basilica with respect.
As we drove past the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Piazza Venezia, I was overwhelmed.
On our last night in Rome, we sat on the balcony of our hotel room. We talked about the pace of the trip. But then we laughed, realising we would not trade a single moment for comfort or sleep.
Read More: Thrillophilia Europe Reviews