Journey of a European family across continents concludes in Alberta
Belgian Family Completes 60,000 km 'Waffle World Tour'
Nicolas and Anaïse Peetermans, a family of five from Belgium, have concluded their extraordinary 60,000 km journey, affectionately known as the 'Waffle World Tour.' After selling their home in Belgium and purchasing an RV named "Jeff," they embarked on a remarkable adventure that took them through Europe, Asia, Central America, and Canada.
Their journey began with a touch of courage and a dream to make it a reality. However, their adventure started with a setback, as they encountered a mechanical problem just one kilometre into their journey, causing them to wait for a year in Belgium before resuming their travels.
Despite this initial hurdle, the Peetermans family persevered, embarking on a journey that saw them travel along the Silk Road, explore Asia, and then transport their RV to Central America and up to Canada. Along the way, they visited 38 countries across several continents, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The family consisted of Nicolas, Anaïse, and their three children: Esteban, Santiago, and Livia. Ten-year-old Esteban and eight-year-old Livia were part of the adventure, while the twins, Santiago and Esteban, experienced a few challenges during the journey. The children were homeschooled throughout their travels, ensuring they continued their education despite their nomadic lifestyle.
Aside from the spectacular sights they saw, the Peetermans family valued the conversations they had with people from various nations as the highlight of their extended adventure. Anaïse mentioned this mechanical problem as a significant setback during the initial stages of their journey, but the couple found the experiences they shared with people from around the world to be the most rewarding aspect of their journey.
Nicolas had eye-opening conversations with people in Iran, India, Mexico, and Canada during their journey. He emphasized the importance of believing in one's dream when starting an adventure and found that people, regardless of their nationality, were kind and respectful. In particular, he found people in Canada to be nicer and more respectful than in Europe.
As of August 2025, the Peetermans family has decided to settle down in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, marking the end of their world tour. They are now planning to sort out visas, enroll their kids in school, and find work to create a new life in their adopted home. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Peetermans family's 'Waffle World Tour' has left an indelible mark on their lives and those they met along the way.
[1] Sources: Personal interviews with the Peetermans family and various news articles documenting their journey.
Their unique lifestyle and family dynamics evolved significantly during the 60,000 km 'Waffle World Tour', as they ventured through various relationships, cultures, and educational experiences. Some of these valuable lessons in travel and education-and-self-development will likely influence their family relationships in their new home in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
After concluding the 'Waffle World Tour', the Peetermans family will focus on travel less, but they plan to continue their global connections and adventures, exploring Canada and other regions in the future.
