Shalini’s Journey of Love, Laughter, and Lifelong Memories in Paris with Thrillophilia
Every love story wants a chapter in Paris.
For years, my husband Roopesh and I dreamed of sipping coffee by the Seine and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle as the sun set behind it. But life, as always, had its plans.
So when our dear friends Govindappa and Sowmya called one evening and said, “Shalini, let’s just book a trip to Paris,” we were ready for an escape.
In April 2025, the four of us stepped off the plane into the fresh Parisian air with lots of excitement in our hearts. We were just not entering another country, but reconnecting with each other, laughing like kids again, and making new memories with old friends.
Lights, Love, and the Eiffel Tower
Paris, on the very first night of the trip, felt like magic. We checked into our hotel and freshened up. The fatigue of the travel melted away slowly with every glimpse of the city’s timeless charm. As the evening sky turned into the shades of lavender and rose, we headed to the Eiffel Tower.
The lift to the top was mesmerising. Roopesh and I stood there hand in hand. “We are really here,” he whispered, almost to himself.
The panoramic views of Paris from above were spectacular. The city lights glowed like scattered diamonds, and our audio guide shared stories of love, history, and revolution. It was all incredibly romantic. But the moment that stole our hearts right after was the Seine River cruise.
As we glided along the Seine, the city sparkled around us. The golden glow of the streetlamps reflected off the water, and the soft tune of Parisian life played like background music. We passed under romantic arched bridges and saw the outlines of the grand monuments. The Eiffel Tower shimmered in the distance, casting a magical spell on the night. It was a feeling that one could see, hear, and almost touch at that moment on the river.
Childhood Revisited at Disneyland
If the Eiffel Tower was about romance, Disneyland Paris the next day was pure joy.
We reached the shuttle point early as we were unable to contain our excitement. Roopesh, who pretends to be the "mature one," was the first to rush toward Space Mountain. Govindappa and I laughed till our stomachs hurt when Sowmya screamed her way through the Tower of Terror.
We waved at Mickey, ate a churro, took silly selfies with Sleeping Beauty's Castle, and sang along to the parade tunes like overgrown kids. Somewhere between those rides and cotton candy moments, we let go of adulthood and embraced pure fun.
The parade in the late afternoon was stunning. The floats were filled with our favourite Disney characters. Music was such that it brought out our inner child, and the dancers were full of energy that made us sway along without even realising it. We also loved wandering through the different zones of the park, like Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland. Each corner brought back stories from our childhood and new laughs that we will cherish for a lifetime.
"You know," Roopesh said, sharing an ice cream with me as fireworks lit up the sky, "this is the happiest I have felt in years."
So was I.
From Paris to Swiss Peaks
On the fourth day, we took our train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel, Switzerland. The scenic train journey gave us a chance to reflect. As the French countryside turned into Swiss valleys, I felt a new kind of peace.
Lucerne looked beautiful with lakes, cobbled streets, and alpine beauty. There, we explored the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. The serenity of this lakeside town was a soothing contrast to the lively energy of Paris.
The next day, we climbed Mount Titlis. We laughed our hearts out as we climbed the Cliff Walk and threw snowballs at each other like teenagers.
Later, we took a scenic train to Zurich to admire the Rhine Falls. And of course, the Lindt Home of Chocolate was a sweet ending to the day (and the perfect excuse to pack some souvenirs... mostly for ourselves).
The Top of Europe & a Bittersweet Goodbye
Our final adventure took us to Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe. The journey by cogwheel train was remarkable. Snow-capped peaks surrounded us like guardians of an ancient world.
Walking through the Ice Palace, touching the icicles, and breathing in the cold alpine air, it all felt surreal. Roopesh and I stood hand in hand at the panoramic platform to soak in the view. "I don't think I have ever felt this alive," he said.
We could not have asked for a better ending.
On the 8th day, we boarded our flight back home. I looked around at our little travel family, and they were smiling, satisfied, and just a little sad that it was over.
But I knew one thing for sure: Paris gave us romance, Disneyland gave us laughter, and Switzerland gave us peace.
And together, they gave us a memory we would carry forever.
Read More: Thrillophilia Paris Reviews