The Journey I Took with My Mother: Aashi’s Europe Trip Review with Thrillophilia
Some dreams are quiet as they sit in our hearts waiting patiently to be fulfilled. My mother’s dream of visiting Europe was one of them.
She did not talk about it often, but her eyes would stay on the Eiffel Tower, the snow-capped Alps, or Venice’s blue canals a bit longer while watching travel documentaries.
One evening, as she watched a video of Mount Titlis on YouTube, she sighed and said, “I do not know if I will ever get to see all this in real life.”
That sentence stayed with me. It became a promise. So, I booked a 14-day Europe itinerary with Thrillophilia for my mother.
Her Eyes Lit Up in Paris
We flew into Paris in June 2024. The moment we landed, I could already see the excitement she had tucked away for years. Thrillophilia had helped us plan the entire trip. Aman from their team was always just a message away, and our guide Rahul turned out to be an anchor throughout our whirlwind tour.
The first evening was spent settling in, followed by a comforting Indian dinner. My mother did not say much as she soaked it all in. But later, standing before the Eiffel Tower and glowing against the night sky, she whispered, “I cannot believe I am here.”
The next day was packed with Parisian classics. We visited the Louvre, where she stood in awe before the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Later, on the Seine River cruise, she simply stared at the passing architecture and smiled to herself.
On Day 3, instead of visiting Disneyland, we chose a slower pace and strolled through Parisian lanes, sipped coffee, tried macarons, and explored boutiques. That day, I watched her enjoy the city as someone fulfilling a very personal dream.
From Waffles in Brussels to Windmills in Amsterdam
On Day 4, we drove to Brussels, where the Grand Place was buzzing with life. My mom kept pointing out the intricate architecture and could not stop laughing at the tiny Manneken Pis statue. “That is what the hype was about?” she giggled.
At St. Michael’s Church, she lit a candle quietly. It was something she always did when she was thankful.
Later that day, we reached Amsterdam. The moment she saw the canals and bicycles, she said, “This city feels like it is meant for painters.”
The next day, we picked Zaanse Schans over the tulip garden. Watching clogs being made, visiting the windmills, and sampling cheese was such a unique experience. She even bought a tiny wooden shoe keychain as a souvenir.
We went on a canal cruise through Amsterdam in the evening. As the lights reflected off the water and a soft breeze filled the boat, she leaned over to me and said, “I have waited so many years for this. Thank you, beta.”
Cathedrals, Forests, and Snow in Switzerland
Day 6 took us to Cologne, where the grandeur of the Cathedral left us both speechless. “Just standing here makes me feel so small,” my mother said while tracing the carved stone with her fingers.
We reached Frankfurt in the evening and geared up for the most scenic part of our journey in Switzerland.
When we drove through the Black Forest, tiny villages, deep woods, and winding roads surrounded us. At Rhine Falls, my mom stood quietly and let the mist cover her face. “This is the kind of beauty you cannot describe in words,” she said softly.
In Zurich, we visited Mt. Titlis. The rotating cable car gave us 360° views of snow-covered peaks. She screamed in joy when she saw snow. On the Cliff Walk, she was both terrified and thrilled, and she clutched my hand as we crossed.
Later in Lucerne, we admired the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument, before strolling around for Swiss chocolates and souvenirs. My mom picked a little cowbell keychain to remember the Alps by.
Gondolas, Crystals, and Golden Evenings
Day 10 started in Vaduz in Liechtenstein, where a charming tram ride showed us this postcard-perfect capital. We then visited the Swarovski Crystal World in Austria. My mom’s eyes sparkled almost as much as the displays. “This place is like walking inside a jewel box,” she laughed.
In Innsbruck, we strolled through the Old Town and stood before the Golden Roof. Street musicians played soft tunes as we watched from a bench while sipping hot chocolate.
And then came Venice.
Taking a vaporetto across the lagoon and watching the city unfold before us was magical. St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and gondolas making their way through the water also felt surreal.
We skipped the gondola ride and walked along the quieter alleys instead. She liked the hidden parts of Venice - the worn stone steps, the clotheslines above canals, and the faded pastels of old buildings.
The Final Part of the Journey
On Day 12, we visited Pisa and joined everyone in the classic Leaning Tower poses. We then drove to Florence and reached Piazzale Michelangelo right before sunset. The city lay beneath us, where my mom stood silently. “This is a moment I will never forget,” she said.
Our final stop was Rome. Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel were more than just tourist spots. For my mother, they were spiritual milestones. “To stand here, under this ceiling painted by Michelangelo… it gives you chills,” she whispered.
We drove past the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient landmarks, and Rome felt timeless.
As we packed for home that night, we both sat on our beds in silence. The hotels had sometimes been far from the city centre, the itinerary had been tight, and some days felt exhausting. But what we loved the most was the beauty, the laughter, and the love.
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