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I went to one of Europe’s biggest theme parks and met my Prince Charming on a surprisingly relaxing ride

Insider’s Sam Tabahriti and the Europa entrance.

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  • I went to Europa-Park, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks that can welcome 60,000 visitors a day.
  • I tried several of the big rollercoasters but met my Prince Charming on a more relaxing ride.
  • I even felt at home in the French district and left the park feeling happy.

I went to Europa-Park, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks in Rust, southwest Germany, tried some crazy rides – and met my Prince Charming.Empty Europa-ParkThe Poseidon rollercoaster.

Philipp von Ditfurth/Getty Images

Adult tickets cost $57 (€55) and parking is $8. An aquatic park called “Rulantica” is also attached to Europa.The park's mascot.The park’s mascot is Ed Euromaus.

Europa-Park

As I arrived at the entrance of the park, which can accommodate 60,000 guests a day, I became a kid again – excitement took over.Entrance of Europa-Park.The entrance of the park.

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I was so excited to hop on all the rollercoasters, including this wooden ride called Wodan. It’s noisy, but it is the one I laughed the most on.A view of a ride at the park.A view of the Wodan.

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Sun was out – it reached nearly 100 degrees that day, and it couldn’t be more pleasant. The park wasn’t too crowded and the longest we waited to get on a ride was 45 minutes.Insider's Sam Tabahriti.Insider’s Sam Tabahriti.

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Queue times vary, depending on what days you visit, but the queues tend to move quickly. There could be a 60-minute queue for Silver Star, but you rarely get held in one spot for too long.Visitors of Europa-Park queue up in front of the main entrance of the theme park in front of the ticket countersQueues at the entrance of the park.

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What surprised me was the church in the middle of the park. Its website says: “We consider the stave church as an oasis of quiet in the midst of fun-filled liveliness, between wildwater rafting and rollercoasters.” It can be used for “a wedding anniversary, a themed service or a surprising conversation with us.”A view of a church in the middle of the park.A church is located in the middle of the park.

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The park is massive – about 234 acres, or 95 hectares. It has six hotels, a campground and a movie theater.A view of a part of the park.The park was not too crowded when I visited.

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The Silver Star is probably one of my favorite rollercoasters. Fast and smooth, it feels as though you’re flying. Compared with the Wodan, this one is gentle and it doesn’t feel shaky.Visitors ride the "Silver Star" roller coaster at EuropaparkSilver Star.

Silas Stein/Getty Images

The park has many rides involving water. I wouldn’t have minded a swim that day, but I went fjord rafting instead.Michaela Henderson-Thynne (standing), partner of England football player Stewart Downing, and Coleen McLoughlin (left), partner of England footballer Wayne Rooney, go on a water ride at the Europa Park, GermanFjord rafting.

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The Atlantica SuperSplash is also a great way to cool down. It starts by going up, before descending backwards and then hitting the big splash.Visitors ride through a watersplash on a rollercoaster at Europa Park in Rust.Atlantica SuperSplash.

Sebastien Bozon/Getty Images

The park has everything you could want, from children’s rides to extreme rollercoasters for the most daring. There are even two ways of getting from one end of the park to the other: a train and a tram called the EP Express.A picture of the ride Blue Fire.Blue Fire, one of the two biggest rollercoasters.

Europa-Park

The EP Express takes you from Spain to the other side of Europa-Park, stopping at Greece, Germany and the hotels.The EP Express during winter, surrounded by snow.EP Express.

Europa-Park

The park has more than 100 attractions and shows, 13 rollercoasters, and 18 themed areas including France – where I am from.A screengrab of a map showing Europa-Park.A map of Europa-Park.

Europa-Park

The “Quartier Français” (French area) has bridges resembling those in Paris, as wel as restaurants with terraces. The smell of crepes filled the air, and music was playing softly in the background.Picture of a French restaurant in the park.The park’s French restaurant.

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It even has a replica of the Moulin Rouge – a landmark of Parisian nightlife that has been lit up on Montmartre since the 19th century – and a ride called the CanCan Coaster.A replica of the Moulin Rouge.A replica of the Moulin Rouge.

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After a long day of being thrown into the air, having an adrenaline overdose, it was time for a calmer ride.A view of the front of the bark aboard Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.

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I was surprised how this calm ride made me feel. I wasn’t ready for what came next.A picture showing the entrance of what seems to be a castle.Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.

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My Prince Charming, who was holding a golden rose, had been waiting for me this whole time. He looked at me and I knew straight away: let us continue this journey together.A statue of a charming prince.Statue of my charming prince.

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As we glided along, he introduced me to his mother (or so I assumed), Josefina. She was elegant and looked at me kindly.Josefina appears toward the end of the ride.Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.

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Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey was truly magical. My day ended on a positive note and despite its madness I still felt rested.Inside a ride that featured a ceiling made of flowers.Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.

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