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. . .
How the Covid Grinch Stole 2020 and Other Tales from the Twilight Zone:
A year of regrouping, relocating, and refocusing It wasn’t the best year or even the worst, but 2020 was definitely the strangest I can remember. It was challenging to say the least. A deadly pandemic, nationwide riots, despicable politicians, and a long-distance move tested our resilience and patience. On the other hand, the love of our family and friends, our optimism, and the ability to roll with the punches got us through. The year began benignly enough. In late January, Simon, Splendid...
How the Covid Grinch Stole 2020 and Other Tales from the Twilight Zone:
A year of regrouping, relocating, and refocusing It wasn’t the best year or even the worst, but 2020 was definitely the strangest I can remember. It was challenging to say the least. A deadly pandemic, nationwide riots, despicable politicians, and a long-distance move tested our resilience and patience. On the other hand, the love of our family and friends, our optimism, and the ability to roll with the punches got us through. The year began benignly enough. In late January, Simon, Splendid and I attended IMM (International Media Marketplace) and the New York Times Travel Show in NYC. This was our third year, and this time we came away with press trip invitations that would take us to Italy and Croatia in March and April, and cities in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and...
“M” is for Moving:
Taking a Break from Blogging to Relocate. This post is overdue, and it was supposed to be entitled “M” is for Milan. Now, my tale of this remarkable Italian goddess of a city will have to wait until the New Year. We are in the process of moving from New Bern, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina. I’ll share more details in my year-end post. The short version of the story is we will be closer to our sons, we will be less isolated, we will have more access to services and excellent...
“M” is for Moving:
Taking a Break from Blogging to Relocate. This post is overdue, and it was supposed to be entitled “M” is for Milan. Now, my tale of this remarkable Italian goddess of a city will have to wait until the New Year. We are in the process of moving from New Bern, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina. I’ll share more details in my year-end post. The short version of the story is we will be closer to our sons, we will be less isolated, we will have more access to services and excellent...
“L” is for Lucca
A Small, but Brilliant, Tuscan Jewel (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) If you are in Florence and headed for Carrara to see the marble quarries, you will pass right by the walled city of Lucca. That is how we found ourselves making a brief visit to this delightful town in 2003. But because we had done no prior research and since we were on a tight schedule, we spent about an hour wandering around the...
“L” is for Lucca
A Small, but Brilliant, Tuscan Jewel (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) If you are in Florence and headed for Carrara to see the marble quarries, you will pass right by the walled city of Lucca. That is how we found ourselves making a brief visit to this delightful town in 2003. But because we had done no prior research and since we were on a tight schedule, we spent about an hour wandering around the...
“K” if for Krakow – Part 2:
Where Turbulent History, a Fire-Breathing Dragon, and Perfect Pierogi Converge Exploring the Jewel that Is Krakow For centuries, the Jews of Krakow enjoyed a peaceful existence where their culture and community thrived. Then the Nazis nearly erased Judaism from Krakow’s landscape. In the first part of this story, we explored Kazimierz and the site of the Krakow Ghetto. But Krakow, whose entire old town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, is a city that holds many wondrous...
“K” if for Krakow – Part 2:
Where Turbulent History, a Fire-Breathing Dragon, and Perfect Pierogi Converge Exploring the Jewel that Is Krakow For centuries, the Jews of Krakow enjoyed a peaceful existence where their culture and community thrived. Then the Nazis nearly erased Judaism from Krakow’s landscape. In the first part of this story, we explored Kazimierz and the site of the Krakow Ghetto. But Krakow, whose entire old town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, is a city that holds many wondrous...
“K” is for Krakow:
Where Turbulent History, a Fire-Breathing Dragon, and Perfect Pierogi Converge Part I: The Jews of Krakow (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) My memories of Krakow never fails to arouse in me an intensity that refuses to fade with time. Much of her complex history is tragic and bloodstained. Nevertheless, the courage, resourcefulness, and talent of her people insured she would prevail. Today, Krakow is...
“K” is for Krakow:
Where Turbulent History, a Fire-Breathing Dragon, and Perfect Pierogi Converge Part I: The Jews of Krakow (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) My memories of Krakow never fails to arouse in me an intensity that refuses to fade with time. Much of her complex history is tragic and bloodstained. Nevertheless, the courage, resourcefulness, and talent of her people insured she would prevail. Today, Krakow is...
“J” Is for Jerusalem:
The Beating Heart of Israel (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Jerusalem is one of the most volatile, yet revered, cities in the world, It has haunted me over the decades. It is where I was born; the place where I spent the summer after college graduation; and, the city where cherished family members still live. This timeless city calls me back to indulge my curiosity about its tumultuous and glorious...
“J” Is for Jerusalem:
The Beating Heart of Israel (The next installment in the series,, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.) Jerusalem is one of the most volatile, yet revered, cities in the world, It has haunted me over the decades. It is where I was born; the place where I spent the summer after college graduation; and, the city where cherished family members still live. This timeless city calls me back to indulge my curiosity about its tumultuous and glorious...
“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...