A Mother-Daughter’s Escape to Europe with Thrillophilia: A Journey to Remember
Sometimes, the best trips are those that are not planned, the ones you take without any reason. That is exactly how it started for Aashi and her mother, a much-needed break from the daily rush of Old Delhi.
Aashi, being a software engineer, also wanted a pause from her repetitive work life and surprised her mother by taking her somewhere they would never forget. So, she booked a 2-week-long trip to Europe, and with Thrillophilia taking care of their journey, everything was one step easier.
Starting with Dreams, Lights and Long Walks in Paris
Paris welcomed Aashi and her mother with cloudy skies and the smell of fresh croissants. Their local guide, Rahul, met them at the airport. At first, he accompanied them to an Indian dinner, as it was Aashi’s mother who wanted a good desi meal after landing.
The next day, they walked along the Seine River before they joined the buzzing crowds at the Eiffel Tower. Aashi recalled how her mother, a retired history professor, had once taught her students about the architectural marvels of Europe. Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower now, she smiled and said, “It looked smaller in the textbooks.”
For Aashi’s mother, this was a memorable moment, as when she saw the Eiffel Tower shining, she also saw her daughter shining, who was the one to make her dream come true.
The next day, they visited Disneyland Paris, where the child in both of them came alive. “I wish I could bring you here when you were little,” Aashi’s mother said, happily waving at costumed characters and clicking photos like a child. She even tried a rollercoaster that she never thought she would.
Then, during the evening, they enjoyed the scenic views while taking the Seine River cruise over a perfect dinner, which marked their departure from Paris.
Through Amsterdam’s Canals and Cafes
Their next stop was Amsterdam. It was raining lightly when they arrived, making the streets shine. They explored the Van Gogh Museum and then at the Atrium cafe, they ordered Dutch pancakes and a large coffee.
Aashi’s mother shared stories from her younger days, how she once dreamed of visiting Europe during her college- “Back then, it was just a classroom map and daydreaming for me,” she said. They also visited the tulip gardens at Keukenhof. Though the season was ending, the remaining blooms still lit up the space. Aashi bent down to touch a yellow tulip and quietly said, “It reminds me of the paintings I made in my art class.”
Belgium's Sweet Pause
Brussels was short but sweet. They tasted Belgian waffles with strawberries and chocolate, visited the Grand Palace, and bought handmade lace and cookies from the local markets of Marché du Midi. Aashi’s mother kept pointing out the gothic architecture, matching it with lessons she once taught. “I wish I had brought my old notes,” she laughed. “This is better than any lecture slide.”
Here, the highlight for Aashi was waffles, and for her mother, it was shopping. She kept flaunting everything she bought such as Belgian chocolates and Atomium-inspired art pieces. Later, they found themselves sitting at the Manneken Pis cafe, laughing over extra chocolate syrup and sharing fries.
The Swiss Surprise
Switzerland was a major draw for them.
The moment they entered this place, Aashi felt like she was in a Barbie movie. In Engelberg, they visited Mount Titlis, took the Ice Flyer, and navigated across the Cliff Walk. That’s where they spotted something unexpected, a life-sized poster of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Her mother froze for a second, then she became excited like a teenager.
“This movie came out when you were a baby,” she said, trying to touch the cutout. “Your father and I watched it together. I never thought I’d see this here.” That evening, they even rewatched the movie in their hotel room, sharing a warm plate of rosti.
Lucerne’s wooden bridges, Zurich’s calm lanes, and the snowy Alps offered them peace and a lot of time to talk. For Aashi, the early mornings were her favourite part, just sipping tea with her mom while admiring the stunning views of the Swiss mountains.
Through Italy’s Art and Alleys
Their Italian culinary journey began in Venice. The gondola ride through the narrow canals was beautiful, and even though it ended quickly, they ended up making friends with the boatman who told stories about the old city.
But what stood tall as a lifetime experience was the Caffè del Doge, a small alley cafe. This place had a handwritten menu in Italian, and while Aashi could pick out a few words, her mother looked completely puzzled. Before Aashi could help, the barista smiled and sketched little coffee cup drawings to explain. Her mom laughed, pointed at the cappuccino, and said, “That’s the nicest menu I’ve ever seen.”
As they sipped the coffee, the barista suggested some best food options in broken English. Her mom smiled, “You deserve an award for this kind of hospitality.” She then ordered spaghetti aglio e olio, and said that it reminded her of a simple garlic noodle recipe she used to make when Aashi was little.
In Florence, they visited art galleries and markets. Her mother stopped in front of a Michelangelo sculpture and said, “I once gave a whole lecture on this. But seeing it now… it feels different.”
Later, they visited the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, walking on paths that were laid centuries ago. Aashi’s mother was quiet here. “This,” she said softly, “was once the heart of the Roman Empire. I can’t believe I’m here.”
Vatican City and Saying Goodbye
On their last day, they visited Vatican City. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel left them both in awe. Aashi's mother stood for a long time under the painted ceiling and whispered, “Art like this doesn’t just belong to history, it belongs to humanity”.
As their trip came to an end, there were moments they wished they had more time, especially in some places where they could not get enough space to explore alone. The hotels they had booked were a bit farther from the city centres, but the transportation facilities from Thrillophilia made up for that.
A Reliable Companion
Throughout the trip, the team from Thrillophilia stayed connected. Aman, their travel coordinator, was available whenever they needed help or clarification. From adjusting pickup points to explaining details about daily plans, he made things smoother. Their guide, Rahul, made sure they didn’t miss out on any experience.
On their flight back to Delhi, her mother looked out of the window and said, “I feel like I’ve lived a whole new life on this trip."
Aashi smiled and replied, “And I got to see you like never before.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a ticket, a suitcase, and a loved one to make memories worth a million. If you’re planning to travel with someone special, maybe now is the time. And if you're unsure where to start, just type in Thrillophilia.
Read More: Thrillophilia Europe Reviews