25 Years, One Dream Destination: A Trip to Scandinavia Through Joana’s Parents' Eyes
Because some stories deserve a spectacular backdrop…
My parents have always had the kind of love story you read about in romance novels—the kind that stays steady through life's highs and lows, the kind that somehow seems to shine brighter each year.
So, when their 25th anniversary was approaching, my sister and I wanted to make it a celebration they’d never forget. We’d been dreaming of a big party or maybe a vow renewal, but, in a surprise twist, Dad shared his own plan: a trip to Scandinavia for the two of them, something Mom had dreamed about ever since they met.
Scandinavia seemed perfect, a place as magical as the two of them. After all, it was the one destination she had always wanted to see—fjord-filled landscapes, Northern Lights, cosy cabins, and romantic nights beneath starlit skies.
With help from Thrillophilia, we found the ideal package, one that whisked them through Stockholm, Norway’s fjords, and Copenhagen. We got updates every now and then, but when they finally came home, the stories they shared turned out to be far more magical than we’d imagined.
Where Every Corner Is a Love Letter
Their adventure began in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, where the ancient-old streets led them through old town alleys, past grand palaces, and into cozy cafés that seemed right out of a dream. "Stockholm felt like it was made for romance,” Mom said, describing Gamla Stan, the city's medieval heart.
They strolled through narrow, winding streets, soaking up the history around them. Dad laughed as he shared how she stopped at every other storefront and café, enchanted by the charm and intricate details.
One night, they had dinner at a quaint Swedish restaurant overlooking the water. Dad remarked, “That place has a soul.” Stockholm became their muse—a place that set the tone for their journey, filled with little moments they tucked away like treasures.
You Could Lose Yourself Here…
From Stockholm, they journeyed to the mystical fjords of Norway, a world away from city lights. They set out on a fjord cruise, gliding between towering cliffs that seemed to touch the sky, with waterfalls cascading down rocky slopes.
Mom confessed she felt as though she was stepping into a painting, so still and serene that it took her breath away. Dad, always the calm and collected one, admitted, “I couldn’t look away—each turn revealed something even more beautiful. I could lose her here forever, and she’d be perfectly at home.”
At one point, their boat drifted close to a hidden, misty cove where wildflowers bloomed along the water’s edge. In hushed voices, they shared stories with other travellers, comparing this secluded paradise to hidden dreams and shared wishes.
By the time they returned, they both agreed that Norway’s fjords would forever hold a special place in their hearts, a place as grand and quiet as their love itself.
When the Sky Becomes a Stage…
If there was a moment that defined the trip, it was in the Arctic Circle, where they saw the Northern Lights. But for us back home, it was a whole different experience. After their consistent updates, we suddenly heard nothing for an entire day.
Panic set in. We called and messaged, frantically checked for flight statuses, and finally called Thrillophilia to track them down. Turns out, they’d accidentally turned off their phones—lost in the spell of the Northern Lights and unaware of the worry they’d caused back home!
When they called us the next morning, they could hardly contain their excitement. They described how they had waited in freezing temperatures, wrapped in blankets, holding hands and watching the sky.
“It was like the sky itself was dancing,” Mom said, her voice full of wonder. Dad added with a laugh, “For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world, like the lights had come just for her.”
Under that glowing, celestial display, they talked about the years they’d spent together, the dreams they’d shared, and the future they’d yet to see.
Things We’ll Tell the Grandkids Someday…
Their Scandinavian journey ended in Copenhagen, a city that blended the magic of fairy tales with a vibrant, modern pulse. They explored Nyhavn, the famous harbour with colourful houses, where they spent an afternoon sipping coffee at a café, watching the boats pass by. Mom loved the romance of the city’s cobbled streets and winding canals, comparing it to a storybook come to life.
One evening, they visited Tivoli Gardens, a historic amusement park. Laughing, they shared how they felt like kids again, walking hand-in-hand under sparkling lights, sampling Danish pastries, and watching live performances
Dad told us he’d written a letter to Mom on their last night there. “You can’t be in a place that is beautiful and not feel inspired to write,” he explained, but he wouldn’t share the letter's contents—it was, as he said, “Just for her, for that night.” Mom chuckled as she admitted he’d managed to surprise her once again, after all these years.
Their journey back home was filled with stories of ice hotels, surreal landscapes, and people who made them feel like family. It was clear that the trip wasn’t just a holiday for them; it was a renewal of vows, without any ceremony, just the pure experience of being together in some of the world’s most magical places.
And as Dad finished telling their tale, he turned to Mom with a quiet smile and said, “I told you—I’d take you to the end of the world if I had to.”
Read more: Thrillophilia Scandinavia Reviews