Was There a European Vacation Before Christmas Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

Are you a fan of the classic holiday movie, “Christmas Vacation”? If so, you may be wondering if there was a European vacation before the Griswold family’s disastrous Christmas adventure.

Well, the answer is yes! In 1985, “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” was released as a sequel to the popular “Vacation” film. The movie follows the Griswold family as they win a trip to Europe on a game show and embark on a whirlwind tour of London, Paris, Germany, and Rome.

The Plot

The film begins with Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) winning a two-week European vacation on the television show ‘Pig in a Poke.’ Along with his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), son Rusty (Jason Lively), and daughter Audrey (Dana Hill), they set off for their adventure.

Their first stop is in London where they visit famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. They then travel to Paris where they have some mishaps at the Eiffel Tower before moving onto Germany where they visit Oktoberfest.

Finally, they end up in Rome where they are mistaken for wealthy tourists and get caught up in wild escapades. The movie ends with them returning home to their suburban life in Chicago.

The Cast

As mentioned earlier, Chevy Chase played the lead role of Clark Griswold. Beverly D’Angelo played his wife Ellen.

Jason Lively played their son Rusty while Dana Hill played their daughter Audrey. In addition to them, there were several other notable actors who appeared in the movie including Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane.

The Reception

While not as well-received as its predecessor or sequel (Christmas Vacation), European Vacation still remains a favorite among many fans of the franchise. It grossed over $49 million at the box office and has since become a cult classic.

The Legacy

The Griswold family’s European vacation may not have been as memorable as their Christmas one, but it still holds a place in movie history. It paved the way for future installments in the Vacation franchise, including “Vegas Vacation” and “Vacation,” which was a reboot of the original film.

Overall, National Lampoon’s European Vacation is a fun and entertaining movie that showcases the Griswold family’s antics in a new setting. So if you’re a fan of the Vacation series or just looking for a good laugh, give this movie a watch!

  • Buckingham Palace
  • Piccadilly Circus
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Oktoberfest