Penny Zibula
Legally blind since birth, and now totally blind, my travel experiences have been somewhat unique. A keen awareness of sounds, smells, and tastes have been my backdrop for learning about cultures, history, and people. My guide dogs have given me the confidence to travel safely and independently in many countries. They have also been the catalyst for situations that would never have occurred without their sweet presence.
I hope that you will be entertained and inspired as I share my travel experiences that continue to enrich my life. Perhaps your curiosity about people, places, and cultures will excite you to the point where you will say, “I want to have that experience, too.”
From The Blog. . .
“I” is for Israel
Although Israel occupies a mere 8,000 square miles the history and traditions of this melting pot of cultures and religions spans well over 2000 years. Be prepared to explore this magnificent country and then wish you had budgeted time to see even more.
“I” is for Israel
Although Israel occupies a mere 8,000 square miles the history and traditions of this melting pot of cultures and religions spans well over 2000 years. Be prepared to explore this magnificent country and then wish you had budgeted time to see even more.
“H” is for Harrisburg:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania welcomes visitors of all ages and interests with a seemingly endless array of first-rate things to see, do, and experience.
“H” is for Harrisburg:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania welcomes visitors of all ages and interests with a seemingly endless array of first-rate things to see, do, and experience.
“G” is for Guimaraes, Portugal:
When in Porto, Take a Delightful Day Trip to this Charming Medieval Town (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Guimaraes is a small city approximately 30 miles northeast of Porto. Known as the Cradle City of Portugal, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the city in a day, which is what we did during our time in Porto. What originally drew us to Guimaraes was its history,...
“G” is for Guimaraes, Portugal:
When in Porto, Take a Delightful Day Trip to this Charming Medieval Town (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Guimaraes is a small city approximately 30 miles northeast of Porto. Known as the Cradle City of Portugal, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the city in a day, which is what we did during our time in Porto. What originally drew us to Guimaraes was its history,...
Turnstone Facility and Services in Fort Wayne, Indiana:
When it comes to inclusion, this facility leaves no stone unturned. (In my July 13 post, “F” is for Fort Wayne, I promised a detailed account of our visit to Turnstone Services and Facilities. So without further ado, here is the story of this shining jewel in Fort Wayne’s crown.) Upon our arrival at Turnstone, Tina Acosta, Director of Outreach, greeted us. Over the next two hours, she introduced us to all this groundbreaking facility had to offer. During our tour, we came upon one innovative...
Turnstone Facility and Services in Fort Wayne, Indiana:
When it comes to inclusion, this facility leaves no stone unturned. (In my July 13 post, “F” is for Fort Wayne, I promised a detailed account of our visit to Turnstone Services and Facilities. So without further ado, here is the story of this shining jewel in Fort Wayne’s crown.) Upon our arrival at Turnstone, Tina Acosta, Director of Outreach, greeted us. Over the next two hours, she introduced us to all this groundbreaking facility had to offer. During our tour, we came upon one innovative...
“F” is for Fort Wayne:
Friendly, inclusive, and innovative, Fort Wayne is the best town you probably never thought of visiting. (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) If spending a vacation or weekend getaway in a mid-size city in the Midwest sounds boring, Fort Wayne, Indiana will quickly change your mind. When it comes to outdoor activities, sports, entertainment, and history, this affordable, accessible, family-friendly town...
“F” is for Fort Wayne:
Friendly, inclusive, and innovative, Fort Wayne is the best town you probably never thought of visiting. (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) If spending a vacation or weekend getaway in a mid-size city in the Midwest sounds boring, Fort Wayne, Indiana will quickly change your mind. When it comes to outdoor activities, sports, entertainment, and history, this affordable, accessible, family-friendly town...
“E” Is for Emilia-Romagna:
Accessible, affordable and less crowded, this geographically diverse Italian region will steal your heart. (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Name a region in Italy I haven’t visited, and I’ll tell you I want to go there. Name a region in Italy I have visited, and I’ll tell you I want to go back. So it was, and now is, with the Northern region of Emilia-Romagna. Emilia-Romagna is bordered by Liguria,...
“E” Is for Emilia-Romagna:
Accessible, affordable and less crowded, this geographically diverse Italian region will steal your heart. (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Name a region in Italy I haven’t visited, and I’ll tell you I want to go there. Name a region in Italy I have visited, and I’ll tell you I want to go back. So it was, and now is, with the Northern region of Emilia-Romagna. Emilia-Romagna is bordered by Liguria,...
Documentation for Guide Dogs Traveling to Countries Outside the U.S.A. ~ by Simon
(Before I turn this space over to Simon, here are two suggestions that might be helpful. Updated in June 2020. (1) The following information, in most cases, applies to pets in general. If you’re planning to take your furry friend outside the U.S., always check the official government website of the country you will be visiting. This is also true of Hawaii, which has very stringent conditions for animals coming into the state. (2) Before reading the information below, make sure that you have a...
Documentation for Guide Dogs Traveling to Countries Outside the U.S.A. ~ by Simon
(Before I turn this space over to Simon, here are two suggestions that might be helpful. Updated in June 2020. (1) The following information, in most cases, applies to pets in general. If you’re planning to take your furry friend outside the U.S., always check the official government website of the country you will be visiting. This is also true of Hawaii, which has very stringent conditions for animals coming into the state. (2) Before reading the information below, make sure that you have a...
“D” is for Durham, North Carolina:
The City where “Bull” is in and Boredom is Out (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Durham is a friendly mid-sized city in central North Carolina. It is known as the Bull City, in honor of its highly successful and wildly popular Triple-A baseball team. It is also often referred to as the second half of Raleigh-Durham, but this is incorrect. If you tell me you’re going to Raleigh-Durham, I’ll tell you to...
“D” is for Durham, North Carolina:
The City where “Bull” is in and Boredom is Out (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Durham is a friendly mid-sized city in central North Carolina. It is known as the Bull City, in honor of its highly successful and wildly popular Triple-A baseball team. It is also often referred to as the second half of Raleigh-Durham, but this is incorrect. If you tell me you’re going to Raleigh-Durham, I’ll tell you to...
“C” is for Cremona
Discover One of Italy’s Lesser-Known Treasures Without the Crushing Crowds. (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Cremona, located in Italy’s Lombardi region, wasn’t on our radar until it was. Somewhere between our enchanting stay in Emelia-Romagna and the anticipation of a few days in Cinque Terre, we suddenly realized we could learn how violins were crafted in the hometown of Antonio Stradivari himself....
“C” is for Cremona
Discover One of Italy’s Lesser-Known Treasures Without the Crushing Crowds. (The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Cremona, located in Italy’s Lombardi region, wasn’t on our radar until it was. Somewhere between our enchanting stay in Emelia-Romagna and the anticipation of a few days in Cinque Terre, we suddenly realized we could learn how violins were crafted in the hometown of Antonio Stradivari himself....
“B” is for Besalú:
This magnificently preserved medieval town proves that good things really do come in small packages. (This is the second installment in a new series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) A visit to the town of Besalú is like a magical journey into the past. Located in the Northeast of Spain in the Catalonian province of Girona, Besalú is an absolute must-see when visiting the Costa Brava. A mixture of Roman, Jewish, and Christian structures,...
“B” is for Besalú:
This magnificently preserved medieval town proves that good things really do come in small packages. (This is the second installment in a new series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) A visit to the town of Besalú is like a magical journey into the past. Located in the Northeast of Spain in the Catalonian province of Girona, Besalú is an absolute must-see when visiting the Costa Brava. A mixture of Roman, Jewish, and Christian structures,...