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. . .
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 surprise after another. As our awe intensified, so did our respect for the services available for individuals with disabilities of all ages and with every kind of physical challenge imaginable. We began our tour in the 125,000 square foot Plassman athletic center, which was constructed as an addition...
“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,...
“A” is for Antietam National Battlefield:
Immerse Yourself in a Combination of Natural Beauty and Heartrending Tragedy (This is the first in a new series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) In rural western Maryland lies Antietam National Battlefield. There you’ll find gently rolling countryside, dense woods teeming with wildlife and the site of the American Civil War’s bloodiest one-day battle. Antietam National Battlefield is one of the best-preserved combat sites of the Civil...
“A” is for Antietam National Battlefield:
Immerse Yourself in a Combination of Natural Beauty and Heartrending Tragedy (This is the first in a new series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) In rural western Maryland lies Antietam National Battlefield. There you’ll find gently rolling countryside, dense woods teeming with wildlife and the site of the American Civil War’s bloodiest one-day battle. Antietam National Battlefield is one of the best-preserved combat sites of the Civil...
The Devastating Coronavirus Impacts on Travel-Related Entities:
The Present is Bleak, the Future Uncertain, but these Creative, Committed People Refuse to Give-up. In recent posts, I’ve documented our experiences during the Coronavirus (CoVid-19) crisis: our tumultuous two weeks in Europe, how we’re coping at home, and resources to keep us from going crazy. As a travel writer, I strive to inform, entertain, and inspire my readers to find their individual travel sweet spot. But I would be remiss in not acknowledging the heartbreak that sometimes comes...
The Devastating Coronavirus Impacts on Travel-Related Entities:
The Present is Bleak, the Future Uncertain, but these Creative, Committed People Refuse to Give-up. In recent posts, I’ve documented our experiences during the Coronavirus (CoVid-19) crisis: our tumultuous two weeks in Europe, how we’re coping at home, and resources to keep us from going crazy. As a travel writer, I strive to inform, entertain, and inspire my readers to find their individual travel sweet spot. But I would be remiss in not acknowledging the heartbreak that sometimes comes...
Don’t Let Coronavirus Curb Your Wanderlust:
How to Shelter in Place and Still See the World. Passing Trams in an Older Section of Lisbon (©simon@myeclecticimages.com) To say these are strange times is an understatement. The government tells us that because of coronavirus we can’t leave our homes, visit family and friends, gather for religious and social activities, or travel. Our so-called leaders demand we shelter in place except to obtain the most essential items: food, medical care, alcohol, and ammo. The human spirit is nothing if...
Don’t Let Coronavirus Curb Your Wanderlust:
How to Shelter in Place and Still See the World. Passing Trams in an Older Section of Lisbon (©simon@myeclecticimages.com) To say these are strange times is an understatement. The government tells us that because of coronavirus we can’t leave our homes, visit family and friends, gather for religious and social activities, or travel. Our so-called leaders demand we shelter in place except to obtain the most essential items: food, medical care, alcohol, and ammo. The human spirit is nothing if...