Fifty-three years ago, Carol and Jim took on Europe with a single backpack, two Eurail passes, and all the confidence of people who could survive a week on baguettes, brie, and cheap wine. It was 1971. They slept in hostels that now look like inspiration for horror movies, admired world-famous art without knowing what they were staring at, and figured “shower every three days” was a perfectly acceptable lifestyle.
They swore they’d come back someday—with better shoes and enough money to order wine without asking, “Is this the house red… or the house paint thinner?”
This spring, they did just that—this time with the help of Champlain Tours, the masters of crafting stress-free itineraries with just enough “wow” to make your inner 20-year-old jealous. Their “Second Grand Tour” was a nostalgic upgrade—like going from flip phone to smartphone overnight.
In Florence, they faced Michelangelo’s David again, but this time with an art historian who could explain why David wasn’t just “that really buff guy holding a rock.” Dinner under the Tuscan stars included a truffle risotto so good Jim declared it “worth waiting 50 years for.”
Lucerne brought another déjà vu moment. Their old hostel had turned into a chic lakeside hotel, and instead of bunk beds, they had feather duvets, panoramic mountain views, and a bellhop who didn’t look like he’d just come from a Led Zeppelin concert. Over breakfast, they traded stories with a honeymooning couple who couldn’t believe people once traveled without Wi-Fi.
Champlain Tours even planned a secret vow renewal in Bellagio. Jim pulled out his original 1971 vows—written on an index card that somehow survived five decades of moves—and read them again, pausing only to admit, “I was too nervous to write a second draft back then.” A violinist, arranged by Champlain, played La Vie en Rose while they toasted with prosecco (instead of cheap beer).
The trip ended in Paris, where they mailed actual postcards—with stamps—and wandered the Luxembourg Gardens without worrying about catching a $10 train to nowhere.
It wasn’t about checking boxes. It was about celebrating where they’ve been, who they’ve become, and the joy of seeing the world—this time, with better beds and zero backpacks.
Champlain Tours made it effortless. And unforgettable.
We believe every trip should tell your story—whether you’re rekindling romance in Italy, celebrating retirement with flair, or finally taking that “someday” Grand Tour (with room service this time).
Burlington, Vermont | Designing journeys worldwide
www.champlaintours.com.
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