Gajendra’s Journey of Firsts in the Heart of Switzerland with Thrillophilia
Not all dreams are chased in youth. Some wait, tucked away in the corners of our hearts, making quiet promises to be fulfilled - ONE DAY.
For my partner and I, that dream was travel. Not just weekend getaways or family vacations, but a real adventure - one where we could lose ourselves in a new world, just the two of us. But life had its own plans. Careers, family responsibility, and saving for the future - everything took priority. We watched others explore the world while telling ourselves, Someday, it will be our turn.
That "someday" arrived in February 2024. With responsibilities lighter on our shoulders, we finally booked our first international trip. And not just anywhere - we were heading to Switzerland, the land of snow-capped peaks, postcard-perfect towns, and stories waiting to be lived.
The itinerary had us covering Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, and more. But for both of us, Switzerland was the dream we had been saving for all these years.
A Place Where We Found Ourselves Again
The moment we stepped into Switzerland, something inside us shifted. Everything felt untouched, like a world crafted with patience and precision. The air smelled of pine and fresh snow. The tall mountains had an overwhelming presence.
Our first real taste of Switzerland was Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, which is the largest waterfall in Europe. The roar of the water and the icy mist on our faces - it was the kind of moment that shakes you awake.
“Can you believe we are really here?” my partner asked, gripping my hand.
I smiled. “We should have come sooner.”
She nodded, but I knew what she was thinking. Maybe we were not late. Maybe we had arrived at the perfect time - when we could truly appreciate it.
The next day, we made our way to Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe. The train ride alone felt like something out of a dream. Snow-covered valleys stretched endlessly, wooden chalets with sloping roofs lined the hills, and frozen lakes reflected the sky like mirrors.
When we finally reached the summit of 3,454 metres, my partner gasped.
“This… this is unreal.”
And it was. The Aletsch Glacier stretched endlessly below us, along with the fresh alpine air and the absolute silence - it felt like we had stepped onto another planet. We walked through the Ice Palace and marvelled at the sculptures carved into the frozen walls. Moreover, we stood at the Sphinx Observatory to watch the clouds swirl below us.
For the first time in years, there was no rush, no deadlines, no responsibilities pulling us back. Just us, in the heart of the Alps, rediscovering the sheer joy of experiencing something new.
The Thrill of Firsts at Mt. Titlis
If Jungfraujoch was about surprise, Mt. Titlis was about fun. My partner, who had always been the cautious one, surprised me when she insisted we take the Cliff Walk, the highest suspension bridge in Europe.
“Are you sure?” I asked, half-laughing, half-terrified.
She grinned. “We did not come all the way here to play safe.”
Hand in hand, we walked across the swaying bridge, and the abyss was wide open below us. It was terrifying. It was thrilling. And it was one of the best moments of our trip.
Later, we took the Rotair Cable Car, the first rotating gondola in the world. As we climbed, we watched the landscape shift beneath us - forests giving way to snowfields and the sky turning a deeper blue. At the summit, we played in the snow like children, laughing as we threw snowballs at each other.
When the day ended, we took a cruise on Lake Lucerne, whose water was still like glass. Sitting on the deck and watching the mountains reflect perfectly in the lake, my partner leaned her head on my shoulder.
“I never thought we would do this,” she said softly.
I exhaled. “Me neither.”
And yet, here we were - living a dream we had almost forgotten.
Walking Through History Beyond Switzerland
Our journey continued through Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy, each place adding a new story to our adventure.
In Innsbruck, we wandered through the medieval streets, stopping at cafés and simply watching life unfold. At the Swarovski Crystal Museum, my partner was captivated by the artistry, and her eyes shone brighter than the crystals on display.
Venice was absolutely magical. We glided through the Grand Canal on a gondola, and the golden lights of the city reflected on the water. In Florence, we traced the footsteps of artists and poets, standing in awe before the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And in Rome, we touched history - walking through the Colosseum, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and feeling the weight of centuries in the Vatican City.
But no matter how breathtaking these places were, Switzerland remained our greatest love.
A Journey Worth Waiting For
On our final night in Switzerland, we found a quiet spot by a lake, where the mountains stood tall under the moonlight.
“This was worth the wait,” I said, breaking the silence.
My partner smiled. “I think we were meant to do this now.”
And maybe she was right. Maybe some dreams need time. Maybe we needed to cross a certain threshold in life to truly appreciate this journey.
Read More: Thrillophilia Switzerland Reviews