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. . .
“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 have a nice flight, because you’re going to an airport. As for us, we have had the good fortune to live a mere two-and-a-half hours drive from our home in New Bern. This has given us the opportunity to savor Durham slowly over several visits. We recommend you get to know this walkable,...
“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...
A Review of My UK SIM Card:
Staying Calm, Cool, and Connected. We often take for granted the degree to which we are dependent on our cell phones. This hit home in September 2019 when Simon and I arrived at London Gatwick late at night and couldn’t activate our European SIM cards properly. We had purchased them before leaving the U.S. and inserted them into our phones on the flight over. Our immediate concern was not how we were going to text our sons that we had arrived safely. It was how the heck we were going to find...
A Review of My UK SIM Card:
Staying Calm, Cool, and Connected. We often take for granted the degree to which we are dependent on our cell phones. This hit home in September 2019 when Simon and I arrived at London Gatwick late at night and couldn’t activate our European SIM cards properly. We had purchased them before leaving the U.S. and inserted them into our phones on the flight over. Our immediate concern was not how we were going to text our sons that we had arrived safely. It was how the heck we were going to find...
Coronavirus, Europe, and “What the Hell Do We Do Now?”:
How what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, smarter, and more compassionate It was supposed to be a magical six-week journey to Italy, Croatia, and England. We had been planning this trip for months: Exploring Milan for the first time, TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange) in Sicily’s stunning port city of Catania, and the press trips associated with the conference, acquainting ourselves with the region of Puglia, about which we had heard so much, visiting Croatia for the first time and a hosted...
Coronavirus, Europe, and “What the Hell Do We Do Now?”:
How what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, smarter, and more compassionate It was supposed to be a magical six-week journey to Italy, Croatia, and England. We had been planning this trip for months: Exploring Milan for the first time, TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange) in Sicily’s stunning port city of Catania, and the press trips associated with the conference, acquainting ourselves with the region of Puglia, about which we had heard so much, visiting Croatia for the first time and a hosted...
History Comes Alive at JORVIK Viking Center in York, England:
Where modern technology brings the past into the present York, England is one of my favorite places to visit. Not only because my sister-in-law and her husband live there, but because the city consists of layer upon layer of history. One of these fascinating layers is comprised of remnants of the Viking era, 800 - 1050 AD, and the absolute best place to immerse oneself in Viking history in York is the JORVIK Viking Center. I had wanted to visit the JORVIK Viking Center every time we were in...
History Comes Alive at JORVIK Viking Center in York, England:
Where modern technology brings the past into the present York, England is one of my favorite places to visit. Not only because my sister-in-law and her husband live there, but because the city consists of layer upon layer of history. One of these fascinating layers is comprised of remnants of the Viking era, 800 - 1050 AD, and the absolute best place to immerse oneself in Viking history in York is the JORVIK Viking Center. I had wanted to visit the JORVIK Viking Center every time we were in...
An Italian Days Food Experience to Pamper Your Palate:
Take an entire day to savor the edible jewels of Emilia Romagna. Italy is known for many spectacular attributes, but it’s the food for which it is most famous. Each region has its unique cuisine, culinary history, and traditions. On our most recent trip, it was the food of Emilia Romagna that stole our hearts. And it was the food and wine of Bologna #1 tour from Italian Days Food Experiences that transported us beyond the fabulous foods we discovered into a culture of traditional techniques...
An Italian Days Food Experience to Pamper Your Palate:
Take an entire day to savor the edible jewels of Emilia Romagna. Italy is known for many spectacular attributes, but it’s the food for which it is most famous. Each region has its unique cuisine, culinary history, and traditions. On our most recent trip, it was the food of Emilia Romagna that stole our hearts. And it was the food and wine of Bologna #1 tour from Italian Days Food Experiences that transported us beyond the fabulous foods we discovered into a culture of traditional techniques...