“Explore the World: Family Travels 22 Years in a 1928 Car”
Herman and Candelaria Zapp left Argentina on 25 January 2000 in a vintage Graham-Paige. Their vehicle had its original engine, a wooden trunk, and a loud horn. What began as a six-month plan to reach Alaska became a way of life.
From a promise to a lifelong journey
The couple had agreed to travel after twelve years of marriage. They originally planned to cross about 15 countries without using planes or boats. Reaching Alaska was meant to be the trip’s end and their return point to settle down.
At a roadside sign near Alaska they decided otherwise. Instead of ending the adventure, they chose to continue. That choice extended their trip into 22 years on the road.
The 1928 car that carried a family
Their transport is a 1928 Graham-Paige with its period engine. The car struggles above 50 km/h and has non-sealing doors. The windshield wiper is manual and snow once blew in during a 5,000‑metre Himalayan pass.
Herman bought the vehicle three months before departure. It did not run at first and required weekend work from a helpful mechanic. The car finally started two days before their planned leave.
Mechanical failures and unexpected stories
The old car failed often along the way. Each breakdown became a story and a memory. Repairs demanded creativity and local assistance in many countries.
Travels, milestones and statistics
The family logged roughly 362,000 kilometres. They visited 102 countries and stayed in over 1,300 family homes. Their itinerary included canoeing the Amazon and balloon flights, and encounters with African tribes.
The trip passed through Tibet, the Everest region, and remote landscapes. Their travels combined adventure sports and deep cultural exchanges. Those moments shaped their daily life and worldview.
Raising children while on the road
The Zapp children were born on four continents. Pampa arrived in North Carolina. Tehue was born in Buenos Aires, Paloma in Canada, and Wallaby in Australia.
Candelaria taught the children with place-based lessons. Biology, geography and culture were shown in real situations. The family worked as a team and shared daily responsibilities.
Funding long-term travel
They ran out of savings in Ecuador. To earn income, Candelaria began painting and Herman framed the work. They sold art in town squares and later created postcards and notebooks.
Herman wrote a first book, which helped finance the journey. Today they have published four books and used them to support continued travel.
Return home and a new chapter
In 2022 the family returned to Argentina. They opened a project called Zapparancho to host travelers. The site offers camping, a hostel, rooms, and space for building or parking motorhomes.
Zapparancho also provides mechanical help and document support. The goal is to repay the hospitality they received worldwide. They want to inspire others to explore and share practical assistance.
Reflections and advice
The Zapps highlight human kindness as the trip’s greatest lesson. Hosts sometimes offered beds, food, and friendship in modest homes. These encounters validated their decision to keep going.
The couple urges would-be travelers not to use children as an excuse. They advise against waiting until one feels perfectly prepared. Their message is to Explore the World, embrace Family Travels, and trust that the 22 Years ahead will teach you much while your 1928 car carries you onward.
