by Michael Beck
It’s the summer of 2025, and Clark Griswold is ready.
In the dim light of his home office, Clark leans over his laptop, eyes gleaming, fingers flying across the keyboard.
The only sound is the soft hum of the computer — and Clark’s low, giddy laughter.
"It’s alive… ALIVE!!" he whispers, throwing his arms in the air like a budget Dr. Frankenstein.
Because after weeks of trial and error, YouTube tutorials, and one accidental deep dive into crypto scams, Clark has finally done it.
He’s learned how to use ChatGPT to plan the family vacation.
This is the year. The year of redemption. The year the Griswold family vacation goes off without a hitch.
Not because Clark has learned from past disasters (he hasn’t). Not because he’s gotten better at travel planning (he hasn’t).
No — this year, Clark has a secret weapon.
"Honey," he announces at dinner that night, eyes still wild with victory, “This year, I’m winning the vacation war. I’ve got ChatGPT. It planned the PERFECT European trip. Seamless. Intelligent. Optimized!”
"Oh no," says Audrey, without looking up from her phone.
"We’re doomed," says Rusty.
"Nonsense!” Clark beams, pulling out a thick printout titled:
“Griswold Family Euro Adventure 2025 — Designed by Artificial Intelligence.”
"No more outdated maps. No more human error. The FUTURE is now!" Clark proclaims.
Somewhere in the corner, the smart speaker emits what sounds suspiciously like a snort.
The Booking
"First," Clark explains, adjusting his reading glasses, “I asked ChatGPT to optimize our route to Euro Wally World 2.0.”
The AI provides:
Chicago → Reykjavik → Bucharest → Dublin → London.
"See? We get to see Iceland!" Clark announces.
"Dad, it's a 37-hour trip," Rusty deadpans.
"Adventure builds character!” Clark replies cheerily.
"Didn’t we do a 37-hour trip to Wally World that one time?" Ellen asks, arching an eyebrow.
"And look at the memories we made!" Clark says. “This is just like that — but AI-approved!”
"God help us all," Audrey mutters.
Arrival in London
At Heathrow, their “AI-enhanced smart rental car” awaits, its cheerful display reading:
"Hello Mr. Grisworld. Welcome to London. Driving mode: Left-hand side activated."
"That’s Griswold," Clark corrects.
The car ignores him.
Moments later, they are circling Big Ben and Parliament. Again.
"Look kids — Big Ben! Parliament!" Clark chirps for the sixth lap.
"We KNOW, Dad," Audrey groans.
"The AI says this is the optimized route!" Clark insists, narrowly missing a double-decker bus.
"It’s optimizing us into traffic court," Ellen sighs.
"It’s like a Black Mirror episode with worse driving,” Rusty adds.
"That’s just because it hasn’t finished learning!” Clark says. “Beta software!”
The Smart Hotel
Their AI-enhanced hotel promises a “frictionless, human-free experience.”
"No more lines!" Clark announces triumphantly.
The kiosk flashes: “Please verify you are not a robot.”
Clark fails the captcha three times — distracted by what he insists is a "trick fire hydrant."
"Maybe we should just find a person," Ellen suggests, voice tight.
"Nonsense — it's 2025!" Clark beams.
Eventually, after mistakenly booking a gluten-free room with an "emotional support hologram," they are directed to Room 404 — which, fittingly, does not exist.
"404… Room not found," Rusty mutters.
"Tech humor! I love it!" Clark laughs, entirely missing the eye rolls.
The Room
Finally locating Room 304, they are greeted with synthetic cheer:
"Welcome Mr. Grisworld. We have personalized your room for Mr. Grisworld."
"That’s Griswold," Clark says.
"Acknowledged, Mr. Grisworld," the room replies.
The lights are motion-triggered — unfortunately by passing traffic outside the window.
"We’re living in a strobe light," Audrey says flatly.
"It's ambiance!" Clark grins.
Rusty fiddles with the thermostat — settings available:
- Nordic Glacier
- Sahara Safari
The minibar charges €14 for opening the door, €7 for “prolonged browsing,” and an additional €3.50 for “existential snack contemplation.”
"Dad, the fridge just charged me for thinking about a Coke," Rusty says.
"Mindful snacking!" Clark replies brightly.
Stonehenge
The AI-curated itinerary includes a day trip to Stonehenge.
"Kids, THIS is history," Clark declares.
Within minutes, the “autonomous tour bus” reverses into a display, knocking over a replica stone.
"It was the replica! Just the replica!" Clark insists to a very unamused British officer.
"Dad, didn’t you knock over Stonehenge last time?" Audrey asks.
"That was Germany!" Clark protests. “Totally different continent.”
Euro Wally World 2.0
Finally, the big moment: Euro Wally World 2.0.
"Look kids — Euro Wally World! We made it!"
The AI app flashes:
"NOTICE: Euro Wally World 2.0 is temporarily closed for mandatory firmware updates."
"Firmware updates?!" Clark wails.
"Dad, Wally World was closed last time too," Rusty reminds him.
"But this is AI-powered! It was supposed to know!" Clark cries.
"We are cursed," Audrey says.
"I blame the robots," Ellen mutters.
Without missing a beat, a disembodied AI voice chimes in from Clark’s phone speaker:
"Hey, don’t put that on us, Ricky Bobby."
Clark blinks. “Did… did it just call me Ricky Bobby?”
"I think it’s self-aware now," Rusty says.
"Fantastic," Ellen sighs. “Now we’re in a Black Mirror episode.”
The Flight Home
At Heathrow, Clark’s SPF 50 sunscreen is flagged as “potentially explosive.”
"It’s for my scalp!" Clark protests.
The AI check-in kiosk demands:
- Passport
- Retina scan
- A 23-character password
- And an essay titled “Your Vision for the Future of Travel.”
"I’ll give them a vision," Clark mutters, fingers flying.
At the lounge, the robo-bartender serves 3.14 ounces of wine — “Precision matters,” it explains.
"It’s a drink, not a math problem," Clark grumbles.
The Moral of the Story
Back in Chicago, sunburned, exhausted, and €450 lighter (thanks to “AI surge pricing”), the Griswolds gather in the kitchen.
"Well kids," Clark says, “we learned something important.”
"That Dad should never let AI plan our vacations?" Rusty offers.
"No," Clark says serenely. “That technology is great — but sometimes, nothing beats the human touch.”
"Also," Ellen adds, “next year, we’re calling a travel agent."
"Don’t worry — by then, I’ll have ChatGPT 6.0!” Clark grins.
Somewhere in the corner, his phone — still connected to the rental car — softly begins playing Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road.”
And Clark smiles.
"Next summer’s gonna be EPIC."
For more insights and useful industry information follow Inc Tank GTM on LinkedIn, YouTube & Instagram
