The new school year has officially begun, bringing significant changes to the Morris household and setting the stage for a bustling travel season. With Robert no longer being homeschooled, John and Stevie Morris have been able to collaborate more closely on their various endeavors. However, managing the delicate balance between family life and a growing enterprise has proved to be a humbling experience.
Reflecting on the realities of daily life, John admitted that he initially assumed household productivity would skyrocket after marriage. Instead, managing a home alongside a young child has revealed the immense logistical challenges that come with parenthood. John expressed profound respect for his wife, Stevie, who managed household operations single-handedly prior to their marriage. Crediting both of their families for their unwavering love and support, the couple has adopted a new household motto coined by Stevie: "We can do hard things."
That philosophy is being put to the test immediately as the family dives headfirst into an exceptionally busy autumn schedule. The autumn season marks the launch of an ambitious "Autumn Abroad" initiative, featuring three back-to-back group trips across Europe, including itineraries in Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy. More than 30 readers of Wheelchair Travel will participate in these excursions, marking a major milestone for the community-focused travel platform.
The journey began with a successful group trip to Switzerland through the Wheelchair Travel Group Trip program. Described by John as an inspiring introduction to the autumn travel block, the Swiss Alps tour offered participants stunning vistas and accessible mountain experiences. A full photographic recap and detailed overview of the Swiss adventure are scheduled to be published in an upcoming newsletter. In the meantime, the demanding travel schedule presses forward as the group transitions to subsequent tours in Southern Europe.
Recent Accessibility Updates: Cartagena and U.S. Bus Transit
While international group travel commands much of the immediate schedule, ongoing reporting on global accessibility developments continues through the Wheelchair Travel platform. Recent updates highlight notable improvements in beach accessibility and intercity transit infrastructure that could benefit travelers planning future trips.
In South America, recent investments in coastal accessibility have transformed portions of the beachfront in Cartagena, Colombia. During a recent visit, John explored the newly accessible public areas of Bocagrande Beach, which now feature continuous boardwalk pathways, designated accessible seating zones, adapted restroom facilities, and manual beach wheelchairs available for public use at no charge. These additions aim to open up coastal destinations that were historically difficult for wheelchair users to navigate independently.
Accommodations in the area are also evolving to meet diverse accessibility needs. John evaluated the accessible room offerings at the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias, a modern luxury property situated directly on the Bocagrande beachfront. While the hotel features spacious accessible rooms equipped with roll-in showers, the evaluation notes that individual requirements may vary, particularly for travelers who rely on specific equipment or who prefer traveling with their own portable shower chairs.
Domestically, a significant resource for ground transportation has debuted in the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics has released the Intercity Bus Atlas, an interactive mapping tool designed to simplify route planning for travelers who rely on intercity buses. Although intercity bus travel is frequently overlooked, major carriers such as Greyhound and Megabus operate fleets equipped with multiple wheelchair securement spaces. The new atlas maps nearly 2,000 routes and 3,500 stops across the country, making it significantly easier for wheelchair users to identify accessible coach services and plan regional itineraries.
Upcoming 2027 Group Tour: Germany and Poland
Building on the momentum of current European excursions, Wheelchair Travel Tours has officially announced its next major international itinerary for the 2027 season. The upcoming 11-day tour will explore Germany and Poland, offering participants a deep dive into the culture, history, art, and gastronomy of Central Europe.
The itinerary features immersive stops in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, alongside the historically significant Polish cities of Krakow and Warsaw. The tour is scheduled to take place from August 8 through August 18, 2027, and is designed to balance major tourist attractions with accessible cultural experiences.
In a departure from standard open-enrollment procedures, the complete tour itinerary will be released exclusively to paid members of the newsletter on Monday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Paid subscribers will receive a four-day private booking window. If remaining spots are available after this initial period, registration will open to free subscribers on Friday, September 22.
Expanding Digital Engagement and Future Outlook
After a prolonged hiatus, John has returned to active social media engagement, utilizing platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share behind-the-scenes moments, live global updates, and bonus content—including lighthearted snapshots from the recent Swiss expedition.
As John embarks on the European tour circuit, Stevie Morris will take over a portion of the newsletter responsibilities, preparing a series of articles scheduled for publication in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, John’s autumn itinerary includes a brief four-day window between the Portugal and Sicily tours. Rather than returning home for the short interim, he will travel to Cologne and Wuppertal, Germany, for the first time, scouting potential stories and accessibility insights for future publication.
