The Stamps of Love: Ashish Rastogi’s Italian Escape with Thrillophilia
One evening in early 2024, I was searching through our study for an old receipt when I found our passports. They were clean and waiting to be filled. My wife looked over my shoulder and said with a smile, “Maybe it is time that they see some stamps.”
The moment sparked a plan - a long-awaited journey through the European landscape.
We looked through several options, but Italy stood out the most due to its history, art, food, and romance. We added Paris and Switzerland to the itinerary, but our hearts were set on exploring Italy.
As we booked our trip with Thrillophilia, they took care of all the planning, the pace, and the little details we had not even considered. And, just like that, we took off for the journey to Italy in May 2024.
Paris & Swiss Peaks
Our journey began in the iconic city of Paris. On our first evening, we walked through Rue Cler, shared macarons, and watched people from cosy cafés. The next day was the time for sightseeing. We explored the Montmartre’s basilica, enjoyed the Eiffel Tower’s views, and took the Seine River cruise in soft golden light.
We smiled like children at Disneyland Paris while remembering stories from our childhood and snapping pictures with goofy smiles.
From there, we went to Switzerland, which offered a tranquil, majestic, and surreal experience. Mount Titlis and Jungfraujoch looked spectacular in Switzerland. We also took the Rotair cable car to snow-covered peaks and walked hand in hand through the Ice Palace. It was indeed very peaceful.
But, we were long waiting for the day of our visit to Italy.
Floating Through Romance in Venice
As soon as we arrived in Venice, we felt like stepping into a dream that had waited patiently for us. The city looked gorgeous with tall buildings beside the water, slow-moving gondolas, and historical bridges.
We boarded a private boat from the Venice pier and sailed through Giudecca Canal toward St. Mark’s Square. The Murano glass demonstration was beautiful, but the most magical moment came during the Gondola ride.
During the ride, we drifted between ancient buildings down the canal and watched the sunset. My wife leaned her head on my shoulder and said, “I don’t want this to be a memory. I want it to be forever.”
We rested for the night in Padua, and the stillness that followed surprised us.
The Renaissance Experience in Florence and Pisa
Florence was different from Venice.
It was elegant, proud, and quietly powerful. We wandered the stone paths where artists once walked, stood under the Duomo, and admired the sculptures at Piazza della Signoria. There was history in the air.
At Piazzale Michelangelo, we stood at the top of the city and watched the sunlight covering Florence in gold. We did not speak much, just enjoyed the serene beauty.
From there, we travelled to Pisa. And yes, we did the “holding-up-the-tower” pose like every other tourist, but what we did not expect was how grand the Square of Miracles was in person. It was a place where imperfection stood proudly, refusing to fall. There was something deeply inspiring in that.
Enjoying Peace in Tuscany
On the 10th day of our trip, we reached Tuscany. It is located at the centre of Italy, and now, a piece of it lies in our hearts too.
The rolling hills are spread across with cypress trees and stone villas. Our stay was a peaceful estate which was surrounded by beautiful vineyards. During our time there, we took a short trip to local wine farms and learnt unique facts about wines from people who had created them for generations.
We also hiked to a small hill, enjoyed glasses of Chianti, and watched the sunset.
“I think this is the happiest I have felt in years,” I told her.
She nodded. “Because we are feeling the beauty of Tuscany.”
The Eternal Finale in Rome and the Vatican
Finally, we reached Rome. It was a perfect ending to our trip.
We were amazed to see the masterpieces in the Vatican Museum, especially Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. We raised our necks to witness centuries of devotion, detail, and artistry above us.
Moving forward, we saw the Colosseum, which was entirely different from what we had seen so far. When we stood inside that arena, I imagined the hustling of ancient crowds and read about the historical stories on stones.
We ended our tour with a quiet moment at the Trevi Fountain. With a coin in hand, we made our wishes. I did not ask for more travels or luck. I simply whispered, Thank you.
While returning home after the trip ended, I looked at the photos on my phone. Our smiles were full, lived-in, and content.
This trip allowed us to be present, slow down, and see the world through each other’s eyes.
To Thrillophilia, we can't be thankful enough. Also, a big thanks to our super-helpful and knowledgeable guide, who made our journey stress-free and deeply connected.
Italy filled our hearts with quiet joy, our relationship with renewed closeness, and our souls with a sense of wonder we will carry forever.
Read More:
Thrillophilia Italy Reviews