Experiencing the French way of life- Raghunath’s Workation with Thrillophilia
Raghunath was out for a business meeting. The sky gloomed its way that night, turning all back with rain and thunder. Since his meeting was over, he was walking along the French shoreline of Monaco, admiring the Mediterranean Sea.
He already had plans with Thrillophilia to tour some parts of the country once, covering the French Riviera, and Paris. They were to start the next day, so technically he had the day to explore Monaco. He quickly searched for some of the best pubs to hit in the area, and just in time, it rained. He had his colleague with him who hastily ran across the street searching for some shade.
But Raghunath stood still. He loved the rain, and the sea looked spectacular. The French city of Monaco, known to be a rich and luxurious place boasting docks and ships, lay in between French and Italian territory, giving it a unique appeal. And in that moment of rain, the city looked normal. Calm and in solace.
Their French tour started off at Monte Carlo, exploring the casinos and the bars, and soaking in the extravagant nightlife of the place. He and his colleague were both quite thrilled to have experienced the famous Monte Carlo essence. But France was much more than that and they knew it.
The next day they were to join the group of travellers with whom the next part of the journey was to take place. 4 days of touring the French Riviera, and then off to Paris for a good three days.
Odd roads, better experiences
The reason for planning such an off-beat trip to France was because of Raghunath's curiosity to witness the mediaeval settlements of Europe. He was always interested in touring historical places, re-imagining battle scenes and thinking about the old times, and how it would have been.
From the cobblestone streets of quiet towns to the wineries of the French countryside, Raghunath and his colleague witnessed it all. They also went on wine-tasting tours and spent some time strolling on the beaches of France. They also went to Marseille and Arles, both of which stunned them. One of the most prominent features of these places was the docks, with hoards of ships and boats lined neatly.
So, as a part of their travelling activity, they went on a boat tour in Marseille- the oldest city in France. They visited the Vieux-Port (the Old Port) and boarded a ship there. It went off to a satisfying distance away from the shoreline, and they took out their fishing lines for a nice and lazy recreation. Catching fish, they were enjoying a laid-back time basking in the sun and marvelling at the sweet blue colour of the endless sea.
Starry, starry night
Next up, they visited the beautiful city of Arles- the inspiration of Van Gogh’s painting of “Starry Night”.
The charm of the city felt far and near. From the moment they set foot on the streets of Arles, they knew this place had to be special. The place is home to a range of historical masterpieces like the Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d'Arles) and the Roman Theatre. They also visited The Yellow House, where Van Gogh painted his Magnum Opus, and toured the beaches of the place as well.
They made a tonne of memories in Arles. This city offered them some spectacular sights, especially during the sunset. Keeping aside the beauty of sunsets on beaches, they saw a mind-blowing visual of the sun setting over the red-crick terraces of the town. They both genuinely felt as if they had been transported back to the Mediaeval ages of Europe. But what intrigued them the most was the night sky…it made their jaws drop.
They finally witnessed the sight that Van Gogh had captured in his painting.
Bonjour Paris!
Finally, they made it to the City of Love, Paris.
“This city is host to some of the world-renowned heritage sites and historical monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Exploring such places moved us highly, looking at 12-19th century marvels as if instilling a sense of importance for this significant time in world history”, said Raghunath.
Since they were travelling with 38 other foreigners in the same coach, they also had the chance to interact with them and gain some other insights about these places. This levelled up their experience all the more.
The day Raghunath and his friend took a tour of the River Seine by cruising, they saw all these tourist spots from a different and much more dynamic perspective. Sipping on some champagne and munching on fruits and nuts, they had a great time.
The next highlight was the museums, the Louvre, the Orsay, and the original Van Gogh and Claude Monet art pieces showcased there. They also saw the Moulin Rouge Show which transformed their perception of a live performance.
Picking up the last pieces
Although they had much more to cover in France, they were satisfied with this trip. They received a lot of help and guidance from Thrillophilia, as to how to optimise the days to the fullest and have a diverse travel experience. Their arrangement was also good, starting from transport to stays and breakfasts, punctuality and consideration helped them significantly. Upon this, they had a gem of a guide, not just one, but all of them.
Raghunath’s corporate trip turned vacation gave him memories to cherish for life - such a trip to France was as unexpected as it was beautiful. With an urge to come back and explore Northern France this time, he bid bonjour to the City of Love, and finally headed home.
Read More: Thrillophilia France Reviews