It was refreshing to speak with someone who understood without needing an explanation. We talked about everything from our favorite Christmas memories to our shared love for travel. It turned out he was on the same tour, and we laughed at the coincidence, both secretly grateful for the companionship.

The trip was magical. We wandered through the Christmas markets of Germany, the air filled with the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine. In Austria, we took a horse-drawn carriage ride through snow-dusted landscapes that looked like scenes from a storybook. Switzerland offered stunning vistas of snow-capped mountains, their beauty leaving us both in silent awe.