It's 1963, and Scott is on his way to Geneva to get a Masters in International Relations. He takes a ship to Europe and visits London and Paris on his way. The writing is descriptive and reads easily with an 'old-world' feel. The blurb lets you know that he eventually has an affair with a countess. We meet her briefly on the ship, but have no idea how they meet again. I am intrigued enough and invested enough I Scott to want to know the rest of his story. He also connects with a couple of other younger women on the ship and then on the train to Geneva.