From Dreams to Reality: Badar and His Family’s European Escape with Thrillophilia
“The beauty of Europe is best seen through the eyes of loved ones- each moment is a memory waiting to happen.”
The first time I truly felt the pull of Europe was when I saw the Eiffel Tower in a magazine. I was too young then, but the image stayed with me. Years later, as I was about to get married, I thought it would be the perfect honeymoon destination! However, my sweetheart had her heart set elsewhere.
Years later, after completing my studies, building my career, and raising two lovely children one of whom is now a teenager. I finally embarked on that long-awaited trip to Europe.
Here’s to celebrating my dream adventure with my family by my side!
Our Museum Relay Race through Europe
All four of us are history buffs and there’s no better place for our kind than the European museums!
So, the first museum we visited was the Louvre Museum in Paris. There were so many incredible pieces to see, but we were most excited to see the famous Mona Lisa.
All this time, we thought it was a huge painting, but in reality, it’s just 2.5 feet tall! My kids were surprised by how small it was compared to all the hype.
Our guide Michel was fantastic! He narrated fun historical stories and facts throughout our trip. We saw artefacts like Egyptian antiquities and Venus de Milo. My favourite was the huge Coronation of Napoleon painting, which felt larger than life. I must say that the Louvre’s collection was beyond impressive, but seeing the Mona Lisa up close was definitely the highlight of my day.
My daughter was over the moon at Madame Tussauds in London when she "met" Deepika Padukone- not the real one, of course, but the wax statue! She was so excited and spent ages posing for pictures with her.
The whole family had fun, too! We saw wax figures of global icons like David Beckham, Adele, and even The Queen. My son’s favourite was Iron Man, while my wife and I couldn’t resist a selfie with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
We lastly visited a car lover's heaven, the Autoworld Museum in Belgium. This was, without a doubt, our favourite museum of the trip! The collection of vintage and classic cars was incredible, from sleek 1920s models to sports cars from the 60s and 70s.
My son’s eyes lit up when we saw the shiny Ferrari collection, and we were both blown away by the stunning Mercedes display. The beautifully restored Rolls Royce and old-school Bentleys were pure elegance, and seeing some iconic Formula 1 cars up close was a huge thrill. It felt like stepping into a car enthusiast’s dream, and my son couldn’t have been happier- it was an unforgettable father-son moment!
My wife’s favourite place was the Swarovski Kristallwelten- the Crystal World Museum in Austria. From the moment we entered, the displays of sparkling crystals took our breath away. We knew this visit was going to be magical when we saw The Giant- a massive sculpture at the entrance.
My wife loved the Crystal Forest, where crystal-covered trees created a stunning, otherworldly atmosphere. We also saw this art installation called “Crystal Cloud”. It was made of thousands of suspended crystals. The exhibits were a hit and it was truly a worth-it experience.
Our Parisian Days……..
Paris was my favourite part of the trip.
From the moment we arrived, the city felt magical. We took a city tour that took us to some of the most beautiful spots.
Seeing Notre Dame and Arc de Triomphe was just incredible for us. My daughter loved the tall towers and pointed out how they looked like they touched the sky.
Walking down the Champs-Élysées, we stopped at charming cafes to enjoy fresh croissants and hot chocolate. The smiles on our faces were huge, and the parks we visited felt like hidden gems where we could relax and laugh together.
The next day was all about Disneyland Paris. From the moment we stepped in, my daughter’s eyes sparkled with excitement. We rushed to meet Mickey Mouse, and she couldn't stop giggling when he gave her a big hug. We rode fun roller coasters, and my son screamed in delight while I held on tightly!
The parade was a highlight; we all waved to our favourite characters as they passed by. At the end of the day, we watched the dazzling fireworks above the castle, and I felt so grateful to share these moments with my family.
On our last day in Paris, we strolled through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. The Tulips were blooming, and my kids were chasing each other around the fountains while me and my better half watched them from afar.
And then it was THE EIFFEL TOWER!
Standing beneath it, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. This was where my dream of visiting Paris began so long ago. We climbed to the top and were amazed by the stunning view. As we looked out over the city, I realised that this trip had brought us closer together as a family, creating memories that we would cherish forever.
Thanks for the Amazing 15 Days!
Our trip with Thrillophilia was truly wonderful, and I can’t say enough good things about it! From the start, we were impressed by our guide, Michael. He made every tour interesting by sharing stories. Since he was also our driver he was always punctual which made our days run smoothly.
I also want to appreciate Adithi who helped us a lot from the beginning, with visas, and tickets, and even kept a check on how we were every day. It was so nice of her.
Overall, it was an awesome experience with Thrillophilia. I’m so grateful for the 15 days filled with memories that we will hold onto for life. Thank you to everyone involved- you truly made our family trip special!
Read more: Thrillophilia Europe Reviews