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. . .
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 our way from the airport to our hotel after midnight without GPS, as our rental car didn’t have onboard navigation. Fortunately, Simon was able to get excellent directions from a convenience store clerk, but that experience left us determined to find a better SIM card provider before our next...
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...
Take to the Sky at the National Soaring Museum:
Discover Sailplanes Past and Present at this Elmira, New York, Treasure Among other things, Elmira, New York is a "soar spot" for me. No, that’s not a typo. This charming town in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes is known as the soaring capital of the world. One reason is the National Soaring Museum, atop nearby Harris Hill, one of two such museums in the USA. Another is the robust programs for children and adults who happily embrace the sport of soaring. Simon, Otto, and I had the...
Take to the Sky at the National Soaring Museum:
Discover Sailplanes Past and Present at this Elmira, New York, Treasure Among other things, Elmira, New York is a "soar spot" for me. No, that’s not a typo. This charming town in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes is known as the soaring capital of the world. One reason is the National Soaring Museum, atop nearby Harris Hill, one of two such museums in the USA. Another is the robust programs for children and adults who happily embrace the sport of soaring. Simon, Otto, and I had the...
Remembering 2019:
Deepest Darkness and Brilliant Light It all began on New Years Day 2019 with a flat tire. We were leaving our friends’ timeshare where we had spent a couple of days of fun, relaxation, great food, and even better company. I hope this isn’t an omen for the coming year,” (expletives excluded) I grumbled to Simon. But in my heart, I feared it was. The Nightmare Begins The first two weeks of January passed without incident. We had been teaching a course, “An Introduction to International Travel”,...
Remembering 2019:
Deepest Darkness and Brilliant Light It all began on New Years Day 2019 with a flat tire. We were leaving our friends’ timeshare where we had spent a couple of days of fun, relaxation, great food, and even better company. I hope this isn’t an omen for the coming year,” (expletives excluded) I grumbled to Simon. But in my heart, I feared it was. The Nightmare Begins The first two weeks of January passed without incident. We had been teaching a course, “An Introduction to International Travel”,...
See Inside Casablanca with Urban Adventures Tours:
When Time is Short, Go Local. Casablanca is a city with a rich history, a hodgepodge of architectural styles, and fabulous food. So, how do you experience this delightful city when you only have a few hours? This was our dilemma on our most recent Holland America repositioning cruise. And our answer was the “Medina and Beyond Tour” with Urban Adventures Tours. We were picked up a short walk from where the Rotterdam docked and whisked away in a van for a four-hour immersion into Casablanca’s...
See Inside Casablanca with Urban Adventures Tours:
When Time is Short, Go Local. Casablanca is a city with a rich history, a hodgepodge of architectural styles, and fabulous food. So, how do you experience this delightful city when you only have a few hours? This was our dilemma on our most recent Holland America repositioning cruise. And our answer was the “Medina and Beyond Tour” with Urban Adventures Tours. We were picked up a short walk from where the Rotterdam docked and whisked away in a van for a four-hour immersion into Casablanca’s...
Make Colonial House Inn Your NYC Happy Place:
A Charming Oasis in the Heart of the Big Apple New York City is an unforgettable place to visit, but it can easily become an assault on the senses. Towering skyscrapers can make you feel closed in. Competing smells of deli food, Asian fair, and a host of other foodie fantasies compete with not-so-pleasant smells. Sounds of honking horns, emergency vehicles, screeching brakes and people hurling greetings and/or creative curses at each other can make you want to run and hide. So when you need a...
Make Colonial House Inn Your NYC Happy Place:
A Charming Oasis in the Heart of the Big Apple New York City is an unforgettable place to visit, but it can easily become an assault on the senses. Towering skyscrapers can make you feel closed in. Competing smells of deli food, Asian fair, and a host of other foodie fantasies compete with not-so-pleasant smells. Sounds of honking horns, emergency vehicles, screeching brakes and people hurling greetings and/or creative curses at each other can make you want to run and hide. So when you need a...
God’s Buried Children by Daniel Farcas Ph.D.:
A Tale of Cruelty, Courage, Compassion and Survival If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that “Look for the surprises,” is my motto. In this case, the surprise found me in the form of Daniel Farcas. He emailed me, asking if I would review his 2014 book, “God’s Buried Children.” The story chronicled the lives of a group of destitute orphans living under the streets of Bucharest before and during the 1989 revolution that freed Romania from the tyranny of communism. It was a few...
God’s Buried Children by Daniel Farcas Ph.D.:
A Tale of Cruelty, Courage, Compassion and Survival If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that “Look for the surprises,” is my motto. In this case, the surprise found me in the form of Daniel Farcas. He emailed me, asking if I would review his 2014 book, “God’s Buried Children.” The story chronicled the lives of a group of destitute orphans living under the streets of Bucharest before and during the 1989 revolution that freed Romania from the tyranny of communism. It was a few...
CityPASS Savings On Sightseeing:
Taking in Top Attractions Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank When visiting a city with more than one must-see attraction, the costs can add up fast. And if you’r traveling as a family, the admission fees can be prohibitive. In a number of major metropolises, CityPASS can help keep costs down while making those must-sees more affordable. How CityPASS Works When you purchase a ticket booklet from CityPASS, your admission to major attractions are pre-paid. Depending on the city your savings can be as...
CityPASS Savings On Sightseeing:
Taking in Top Attractions Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank When visiting a city with more than one must-see attraction, the costs can add up fast. And if you’r traveling as a family, the admission fees can be prohibitive. In a number of major metropolises, CityPASS can help keep costs down while making those must-sees more affordable. How CityPASS Works When you purchase a ticket booklet from CityPASS, your admission to major attractions are pre-paid. Depending on the city your savings can be as...