Two twentysomethings met in 1976 by happenstance. Bensalem provided them with a home base, but only as a jumping-off point for their eventual global exploration. Kellie Patrick Gates corralled them long enough to get their story for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Marianne and Joe Trovato introduced themselves to each other at a church dance. The event was a bust, but some common threads emerged: a love of music, a free spiritedness, and a desire to see the world.

“There was a connection right away,” Marianne remembered.

“She kissed me goodbye and gave me a piece of paper with her phone number on it,” said Joe.

They married in 1983 and honeymooned in Europe.

Two boys doubled the size of the young family. The four took a memorable California road trip from San Francisco to Tijuana.

As the Trovato sons aged, however, their desire to travel with mom and dad cooled. They’d head to the shore with an aunt while their parents explored.

Now that retirements are setting in, the calendar is open to yet more globetrotting. They couple cruised the Caribbean, hiked to Machu Picchu, and walked the great Wall of China.

It took COVID-19 to get them to stay home for a while; a trip to Antarctica was scotched.

But in its aftermath, the travel bug is starting to bite again.

The Trovatos are heading to Iceland this September.

More on this have-suitcase-will-travel couple is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.