Racheal’s Wheely Amazing Gap Year: The Next Instalment - From Canada to Continental Europe

At HomeCareDirect, we’ve been following Racheal’s Wheely Amazing Gap Year ever since we first introduced her bold journey of discovery in our original blog post - Here 

Racheal, now 19, set out with her best friend, Summer, and her mum, Helen, to experience a true ‘Gap Year’: To travel, explore, and redefine what adventure means when you approach it with curiosity, courage, and the right support.

Since that first introduction, the trio have packed more into their gap year than many people do in a lifetime.
From the wide-open spaces of Canada to the winding roads through pre-Christmas Europe, Racheal’s adventure has been full of remarkable moments, each one a testament to her zest for life and to what’s possible when accessibility and determination come together.

The Canadian Adventure, Broad Horizons and Big Wheels

Their Canadian travels kicked off with a deep dive into Canada's landscapes and culture.
Beginning in Ontario and travelling east across the country to Nova Scotia, Racheal, Helen and Summer explored the rugged beauty of the Atlantic provinces.
They based themselves in Bridgewater, in a charming riverside boathouse, where the scenery of boats, water and open skies set the tone for their early days.

One highlight of this leg was the iconic Ocean Train journey.
This 800-mile overnight train trip from Montréal to Halifax wasn’t just transportation; it was an adventure in itself.
The trio navigated the length of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia together, absorbing the changing landscapes and living the kind of travel experience most people only dream about.

Montréal offered a vibrant urban contrast to their coastal wanderings.
Nicknamed the City of Saints for its numerous churches, Racheal’s time in Montréal was filled with architectural wonder, accessible city living and plenty of cultural immersion.
The accessible apartment near Central Station became a welcoming base from which they could explore this dynamic city.

Through Canada’s forests, waterways and cities, Racheal and her companions found that travel isn’t just about where you go – it’s how you go.
Planning accessible stays and transport, and adapting to each new environment, became part of the adventure itself.

The European Road Trip, History, Markets and Mountains

After their Canadian chapter, the focus shifted to Europe, a pre-Christmas road trip through Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czechia, Germany and France.
The journey kicked off with a scenic drive to Luxembourg and quickly became a tapestry of cultures, cuisines and historical cities.

In Luxembourg, accessible accommodation near Remerschen gave them a comfortable launch point for their continental crossing, and the trio got their first taste of European road travel.

Their time in Florence, staying in an accessible chalet at the Firenze HU Camping Village, allowed Racheal to delve into Italian architecture, history and charming neighbourhoods.
The group used local buses and routes to navigate the city’s famous sights, showing once again how adventure can unfold when plans and accessibility meet.

Crossing into Venice, they encountered the famous canals and the city's intricate layout. Venice presented navigational challenges for wheelchair users, but with perseverance and friendly local guidance, including accessible water buses for companions, the trio enjoyed the city's magic from the water and on land.

The journey continued with Mozart and Markets in Salzburg, cobblestone explorations around Vienna, and festive Christmas markets in Germany.
Each stop offered new opportunities for discovery, from cafe lunches by the Danube to train rides into Berlin for an afternoon’s adventure.

Highlights like a slow, scenic train into Berlin and accessible hostel stays in Leipzig also underscored how adaptability and advance planning can unlock great travel experiences even in places that seem initially difficult to navigate.

Reflections on the Journey So Far

What stands out most across these incredible travel legs isn’t just the destinations themselves – but how Racheal, Helen and Summer embraced each day with enthusiasm and a willingness to explore.
Whether it was adjusting travel routes, finding accessible accommodations, tackling long train journeys, or soaking in the culture of major cities, they’ve embodied resilience, joy, and shared curiosity at every turn.

Their journey beautifully echoes the spirit of independence and possibility we celebrated when we first shared Racheal’s story: That independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone; it means opening opportunities for experiences that enrich, challenge and inspire.

As the Wheely Amazing Gap Year continues, with more to come from their current European explorations and beyond, we’ll be cheering them on, sharing updates and celebrating the wonderful ways they show what life can look like when you travel with heart, courage and support.