When Rishi’s college friend, Shashwat, visited us with his wife, Swapnil, they were excited but also a bit anxious about their first trip to Europe. To help them ease into their travels, they asked us to join them at the beginning of their journey. Since this was our third time visiting Paris, we decided to add a stop in Champagne to explore something new along the way.

Day  1 – 21 August 2024

With our luggage packed and an early start to the day, we set off towards Paris. Since Belgium lay along our route from the Netherlands, we couldn’t resist making a few stops in two of our favourite cities: Brugge and Brussels. The drive was not just for us to revisit these beautiful places, but also to show Shashwat and Swapnil around. We wanted them to experience the charm of Brugge’s medieval streets and Brussels’ mix of history and modernity before continuing on our way to Champagne and, ultimately, Paris. The scenic roads and lively cities made the perfect introduction to our European adventure.

Arriving in Brugge, we set out to show Shashwat and Swapnil the best parts of the city. We began by wandering along the canals, taking in the scenic beauty of the city from the iconic Rozenhoedkaai view. The calm waters and charming architecture made it feel like stepping into a fairy tale. After some sightseeing, we stopped for lunch at the House of Waffles, where we indulged in delicious Belgian waffles that were as sweet as the memories we were creating. We then admired the bustling Grote Markt, with its stunning mediaeval buildings and vibrant atmosphere. A visit to the Rothenburg Christmas shop brought back nostalgic memories of our trip to Rothenburg, with its festive decor and cosy ambience. Throughout the day, we made sure to take our friends to all the spots we knew and loved in Brugge, making it an unforgettable experience for all of us.

After our lovely time in Brugge, we drove to Brussels, eager to show Shashwat and Swapnil more of Belgium’s charm. Our first stop was the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a stunning glass-covered shopping arcade known for its elegant boutiques and historical atmosphere. Feeling a bit snacky after our waffles in Brugge, we indulged in some crispy, flavourful Belgian fries, a perfect treat to fuel us for the rest of the day. As we explored further, we passed by the impressive Brussels Stock Exchange building, a grand example of 19th-century architecture that adds to the city’s blend of old and new.

After exploring the charming cities of Belgium, we continued our journey towards France. Our destination for the night was Louvignies-Quesnoy, a small town located just at the border of Belgium and France. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of our accommodation, both inside the room and in the surrounding area. The open, airy feel of the place made it feel like we were truly living in the peaceful French countryside, offering the perfect respite after a day of travel.

Day 2 – 22 August 2024

We started our journey to Champagne early in the morning, excited for the wine tasting ahead. Once we arrived at the winery for our booking, we parked the car and decided to hunt for a local bakery to enjoy a light breakfast. Fortunately, we found a charming bakery nearby, where we picked up some fresh pastries to start the day off right before heading to our wine experience.

Our guide, Tom, was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making our visit to Champagne Harlin truly special. He took us to the original farm in the owner’s backyard, where it all began, and walked us through the vineyards, explaining the different grape varieties, the importance of soil, and their sustainable, organic farming practices. We explored the wine cellars, learning how Champagne is aged and why only wines from this region can bear the name “Champagne.” Since we were quite curious and asked plenty of questions, Tom was happy with us and even gave us a special tour of their underground cellar, which isn’t open to all visitors. The tasting session was the highlight, where we sampled three champagnes, each showcasing the distinct terroirs of Mareuil-le-Port, Épernay, and Tours-sur-Marne. Tom also taught us the correct way to open a champagne bottle and introduced us to Ratafia Champenois, a traditional regional liqueur. Charmed by his passion, we ended up buying a bottle for €35—the most we’d ever spent on wine! Later, we laughed at how we had been so easily won over.

After our wine tour, Tom recommended a scenic spot for us to take in the beauty of the Champagne region—the Statue d’Urbain II, which overlooks the rolling vineyards of the Champagne Valley. Eager to see the landscape from above, we made our way there, and the view did not disappoint. Endless rows of vineyards stretched across the hills, creating a breathtaking panorama. We simply sat there, soaking in the peaceful scenery, appreciating the quiet beauty of the region before continuing our journey.

After our time in Champagne, we drove to Paris and checked into our accommodation. We had booked a room with a kitchenette, but what surprised us was how spacious, nice, and clean it was—easily the best place we had stayed in across our three trips to the city. Wanting to make the most of our stay, we picked up groceries like eggs, rice, and chicken. For lunch, we cooked some rice and paired it with ready-to-eat Indian curries we had brought along. Swapnil was eager to learn, hoping to cook for the rest of the trip, so we showed them how to prepare the meal using the ready-to-eat food we had packed from home. After a satisfying homemade lunch, we took some time to rest before heading out to explore Paris.

We took the Seine River cruise at night, when Paris was beautifully illuminated, casting a magical glow over the city. While the sights looked stunning under the night lights, capturing good-quality pictures was tricky, even with our phones. The cruise took us past some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks—the Eiffel Tower, which sparkled with its golden lights; the Louvre, standing grand and majestic along the riverbank; and the Notre-Dame Cathedral, partially under renovation but still breathtaking. We also passed beneath the city’s famous bridges, like the Pont Alexandre III, known for its elegant golden sculptures. Despite the challenge of night photography, the experience of gliding along the Seine, soaking in the illuminated cityscape, made for an unforgettable evening.

After the cruise, we wandered around to find the perfect spot to watch and capture the Eiffel Tower in all its glory. The tower still displayed the Olympic sign, a reminder that the Paris Olympics had just ended a few days ago. As we waited for it to sparkle, the anticipation built up, and when the lights finally twinkled, it was just as mesmerising as the first time—if not more. Even on our third visit, the sight of the Eiffel Tower shimmering against the night sky never failed to amaze us.

Day 3 – 23 August 2024

Spending the entire day at Disneyland Paris felt like stepping into a fairytale—I was completely mesmerised by every little detail, like a kid seeing magic for the first time. To truly get into the spirit, we even bought Minnie Mouse hairbands, blending right into the enchanting atmosphere.

We kicked off our adventure with thrilling rides, starting with Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril, a fast-paced roller coaster that had us twisting and turning through an ancient temple. But our absolute favourite was Big Thunder Mountain—we loved it so much that we stood in line to ride it twice! The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was another standout, with its detailed sets and immersive experience making us feel like we had stepped right into a dazzling adventure.

In between rides, we explored some of the park’s iconic attractions. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle was as dreamy as ever, standing tall as the heart of Disneyland. We wandered through Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, getting delightfully lost in its winding paths and quirky details. For lunch, we dined at Fuente del Oro Restaurante, a beautifully themed spot inspired by Disney’s Coco, bringing a vibrant taste of Mexico to our day.

As the evening approached, we found a good spot for the Colour Parade, where our favourite Disney characters came to life in a dazzling spectacle of music, dance, and vibrant floats. But nothing could prepare us for the grand finale—the fireworks display. With Sleeping Beauty’s Castle as the backdrop, the sky lit up in a breathtaking show of colours and lights, perfectly synchronised to classic Disney music. It was the kind of magic that made us feel like we had stepped into a dream, leaving us with unforgettable memories of a truly amazing day.

Day 4 – 24 August 2024

After days of early-morning rushes, we finally gave ourselves the luxury of a slow and relaxed morning. The excitement of Disneyland had left us exhausted, so we took our time, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and getting ready at our own pace. It was a much-needed break, allowing us to soak in the last few quiet moments of our Paris trip before heading out for the day.

We stopped at Amorino for some delicious gelato, treating ourselves to their signature flower-shaped scoops. The display of flavours was tempting, making it hard to choose, but in the end, we each picked our favourites. The creamy texture and rich taste were just what we needed—a sweet little start to our Paris adventure before continuing on our way.

We took Shashwat and Swapnil to Palais Garnier because it had been one of our favourite places from our previous trip to Paris, and we wanted them to experience its beauty firsthand. Stepping inside once again, I was just as mesmerised as the first time—the grand chandeliers, intricate gold detailing, and the stunning ceiling by Chagall made it feel like stepping into a palace. Even though this was my second visit, I couldn’t stop taking pictures, trying to capture every breathtaking detail of this architectural masterpiece.

Since we were playing tour guides for the day, we wanted to make sure Shashwat and Swapnil got to see the Louvre, even if we didn’t go inside. We walked around the stunning courtyard, admiring the grand architecture and the iconic glass pyramid. The contrast between the historic palace and the modern design was just as striking as ever, and we took plenty of pictures to capture the beauty of the building and its surroundings.

Our final stop of the day was Sacré-Cœur, one of our favourite places in Paris. The basilica itself is beautiful, but what makes it truly special is the breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city from the top. As we stood there, taking in the sweeping skyline, it felt like the perfect way to end our day of exploring Paris.

Wanting to stock up on groceries for dinner and some ready-to-eat meals for Shashwat and Swapnil’s trip, we searched for Indian stores and found a few on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis. When we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into a little slice of India—maybe even South India—right in the middle of Paris. The street was lined with Indian grocery stores, indian clothes shops, gold jewellery shops, and signs in French, English, and a South Indian language. Despite this being our third visit to Paris, it was the first time we had come across a place like this, making it a surprising and memorable stop, even though we didn’t take any pictures.

Our last night in Paris was all about good food, good wine, and great conversations. We cooked dinner together in our room, filling the space with delicious aromas and laughter. With wine in hand, we shared stories—reminiscing about how we met our spouses, exchanging little romantic tales, and listening to Rishi and Shashwat’s fun college memories. The night was warm, filled with nostalgia, laughter, and the perfect end to our time in Paris.

Day 4 – 24 August 2024

The next morning, we said our goodbyes as we dropped Shashwat and Swapnil at the train station, where they would catch their train to Switzerland. They had plans to travel through Switzerland, Italy, and eventually Montenegro, where we would reunite. After cooking and travelling with us, they felt confident they could manage the rest of the trip on their own. Once the goodbyes were said, we returned to our hotel, took some time to rest, and then got ready, checked out, and began our drive back to the Netherlands.

Our trip to Belgium, Champagne, and Paris was a perfect blend of showing Shashwat and Swapnil the best spots we knew while also discovering new gems like Champagne and Disneyland. It was a journey filled with laughter, exploration, and unforgettable memories that we’ll cherish forever.