Volvo Delivery Mishap Leads to Unforgettable Family Adventure

A planned 12-month European road trip is cut in half, but the St. John family makes the most of their 6-month journey.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:20pm

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Robert St. John had meticulously planned a 12-month European road trip for his family of four, centered around Volvo's European delivery program. However, upon arriving in Gothenburg, Sweden, they were informed the car could only be kept for 6 months, forcing them to drastically edit their itinerary on the fly. Despite the setback, the St. Johns made the most of their abbreviated adventure, creating lasting memories and inspiring St. John's future travel business.

Why it matters

This story highlights the flexibility and resilience of family travel, as well as the unexpected twists and turns that can arise even with the best-laid plans. It showcases how a challenging situation can be transformed into an unforgettable experience, and how a single trip can have a profound impact on one's life and career trajectory.

The details

After two years of planning, the St. John family - Robert, his wife, 10-year-old son, and 14-year-old daughter - arrived in Gothenburg to pick up their Volvo and begin their 12-month European road trip. However, they were informed on the first day that the car could only be kept for 6 months, forcing them to drastically edit their itinerary. Rather than cancel the trip, the family adapted, cutting their planned destinations in half but still creating lasting memories. The trip inspired St. John to later launch his own travel business, Yonderlust Travel, which has grown to over 1,500 guests across more than 72 trips to Europe.

  • In August 2011, the St. John family arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden to pick up their Volvo for a planned 12-month European road trip.
  • On the first day, the Volvo dealership informed the family they could only keep the car for 6 months, not 12 as originally planned.
  • The family traveled for 6 months, visiting countries like France, Italy, Spain, and others before returning home.
  • In the years since, St. John has hosted over 1,500 guests on more than 72 trips to Europe through his travel business, Yonderlust Travel.

The players

Robert St. John

A restaurateur who, after the family's 6-month European road trip, launched a successful travel business called Yonderlust Travel that has hosted over 1,500 guests on more than 72 trips to Europe.

Robert St. John's wife

Accompanied Robert and their two children on the 6-month European road trip.

Robert St. John's 10-year-old son

Went on the 6-month European road trip with his family.

Robert St. John's 14-year-old daughter

Went on the 6-month European road trip with her family.

Dr. Milton Wheeler

A history professor who had hosted over 100 tours, and who St. John met with weekly for a year to get advice and information for planning the family's European trip.

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What they’re saying

“We're going home tomorrow.”

— Robert St. John

What’s next

St. John plans to take his current Yonderlust Travel tour group 200 miles above the Arctic Circle to Tromsø, Norway to try and see the aurora borealis, something he has had on his bucket list for decades.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the power of adaptability and resilience in family travel, as well as how a single trip can inspire a lifelong passion and career path. Despite the unexpected setback of having to cut their 12-month European adventure in half, the St. John family made the most of their 6-month journey, creating memories that would go on to shape the rest of their lives.