A Promise Under the Eiffel: Pankaj’s France Journey with Thrillophilia

There are some journeys that begin long before a ticket is booked or a suitcase is packed. For Pankaj Ravindra and his wife, the spark for their European adventure was lit years ago in a tiny local French café tucked in a Mumbai alley where they had their first date. The croissants were dry, the coffee slightly bitter, but something about the French music playing in the background and the flickering candle between them made it magical. They promised each other then, over clinking cups and quiet laughter, that one day, they would see France together.

In February 2025, after years of shared dreams, corporate deadlines, and quiet longing, that promise finally unfolded.

And it unfolded spectacularly.

A Slow Waltz Through Amsterdam

The journey began in Amsterdam, a start to the romance that awaited in France. They landed on February 26th to cloudy skies and fresh air that smelled of winter and waffles. A seamless transfer to their hotel gave them time to relax before heading out for the evening canal cruise.

As their boat glided through golden-lit waterways and past houseboats, Pankaj and his wife soaked in the calm. "It already feels like a dream," his wife whispered while holding his hand tighter.

The following day brought them face to face with history. The Anne Frank and WWII walking tour was sobering yet deeply moving. Their guide painted pictures of survival and resilience that tugged at their hearts. There were no words between them as they left the Anne Frank House - only silence and quiet respect.

But even as Amsterdam charmed them, their hearts were inching closer to France.

The City That Stole Their Hearts

On February 28th, aboard a high-speed train making its way through the countryside, they watched the landscapes shift. The moment they stepped into Gare du Nord, it was as if the world changed colours. Paris was electric. Every cobbled street and corner café pulsed with poetry.

Their hotel was nestled in Montmartre, not far from Sacré-Cœur. The view from their room included sloping rooftops and the distant sparkle of the Eiffel Tower. It was everything they had imagined and more.

The Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour gave them the perfect balance of exploration and ease. Pankaj, a photography enthusiast, found himself lost behind the lens, while his wife marvelled at the secondhand shops lining the Seine. They stopped at the Notre Dame, strolled down Champs-Élysées, and even caught street musicians playing "La Vie en Rose."

But it was the Eiffel Tower that made their hearts stop. On March 1st, with reserved access, they climbed to the summit. The city lay beneath them like a mosaic pattern. They spent some time there, exploring the attraction.

Later, they went on a gentle cruise on the Seine, which melted them into the romance of the city. The reflection of Parisian lights on the river was like watching stars float. At one point, a couple danced to a street violinist playing on the riverbank. Pankaj and his wife leaned into each other and soaked in the beauty of the place.

Mickey Ears and Childhood Cheers in Disneyland Paris

The next day, they embraced a different kind of magic at Disneyland Paris. Far from the refined charm of the Eiffel, it was all colour, joy, and cotton candy. The moment they entered, a wave of nostalgia washed over them. Parade music floated in the air, children screamed with joy, and everywhere they turned, there were castles, characters, and dreams on display.

Pankaj laughed when his wife insisted on wearing Mickey ears right at the entrance.

They ran from ride to ride like teenagers. Space Mountain held them in adrenaline-filled laughter, while It’s a Small World made them pause and sing along. They munched on churros, sipped warm cocoa, and waved at Belle and Cinderella during the afternoon character parade.

His wife dragged him to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, insisting they climb all the way up. From the stained-glass windows, they looked out at the kingdom below - tiny, colourful, and extremely beautiful. Later, they took turns posing with Goofy and Donald Duck, laughing like kids when Pankaj attempted a silly face that made Donald crack up mid-photo.

As evening fell, they went in front of the castle for the final act - the legendary fireworks show. Lights exploded in the sky as classic Disney songs filled the air. Tinkerbell soared across the tower in a blaze of glitter. Pankaj glanced at his wife as her face was illuminated by the bursts of colour.

“We are ridiculous,” he whispered with a smile. 

"We are perfect," she replied.

Swiss Symphony

The romantic notes of Paris slowly faded into the serene harmonies of Switzerland as they boarded the morning train to Zurich on March 3rd. The ride was straight out of a painting - snow-draped trees, sleepy hamlets, and silver-blue lakes.

Zurich welcomed them with quiet sophistication. They spent the day walking along Lake Zurich, sipping mulled wine, and marvelling at how different yet equally stunning it was from Paris. Their Swiss Pass turned out to be the golden key to exploring the country seamlessly.

Mount Titlis was their next stop. Pankaj, who had barely seen snow before, was like a child again. They played snowball fights, rode the rotating cable car, and took selfies with snow-covered peaks as their backdrop. Later, in Lucerne, the Kapellbrücke and swans on the lake added a fairytale finish to the day.

A Dance with Nature in Interlaken

They went to the Jungfrau region on March 5th - Interlaken and Grindelwald. Surrounded by mountains that touched the sky, they found peace in the silence of nature. Pankaj had never seen his wife so at peace, lying on a sunlit bench by the lake, eyes closed, face turned to the sun.

On March 6th, they stood before the mighty Rhine Falls. The thunderous sound of water crashing into the river below was both thrilling and symbolic. Their trip had been a cascade of moments - each one louder, more beautiful, and more powerful than the last.

Before leaving, they visited the Lindt Home of Chocolate. Pankaj, the self-proclaimed chocolate snob, was wide-eyed throughout the tour. They tasted, they laughed, and they filled their bags with chocolates and memories.

As they prepared to fly back on March 7th, they felt gratitude that they had done it. That they had kept their promise made over a decade ago in that tiny café.

Read More:
Thrillophilia France Reviews