
What do you get when you mix an unconventional life with years of restaurant work, expat experience, a lifelong battle against a deadly genetic disease, and a passion for words? The multi-faceted portfolio of Zanny Merullo Steffgen. Keep scrolling to check out her recent, award-winning work, or visit the About page to learn about her background.
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Based in Colorado.
ZANNY MERULLO STEFFGEN
Disabled Travel Journalist
Contemplative Essayist
Copywriter
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Covering Travel as a Force for Good:
- Adventure travel (often with an accessibility angle, focus on hiking and scuba diving)
- Stories that humanize and bridge cultural differences
- Businesses, tours, movements, and organizations that make a positive impact
- Food and beverage (with a focus on wine)
- Other lifestyle topics​
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Destination Expertise:
Southwest US, New England, Cambodia, Italy, Germany
Recent trips to Central and South America
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TRAVEL WRITING

FIGHTING EXTRACTIVE ECONOMIES IN A PANAMANIAN PARADISE, BLUEDOT LIVING
September, 2025

HOW TO BEAT THE CROWDS IN MUNICH, VIATOR
August, 2025

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: VISITING THE FLOATING VILLAGES OF SIEM REAP, VIATOR
July, 2025

BEST VIEWS IN MILAN, VIATOR
June, 2025

THIS IS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A TOURIST IN NORTH KOREA, FODOR'S
June, 2025

THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD TOURISM, GLP FILMS
March, 2025

THE BEST HOTELS IN SOUTH AMERICA, FODOR'S
September, 2024

WHAT TO DO IN AREQUIPA, TRAVEL AGE WEST
September, 2024


7 THINGS I LEARNED AFTER HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ABROAD, MATADOR NETWORK
January, 2024

WHERE TO GO IN 2024, GOING
December, 2023

DÖNER KEBAB: THE TURKISH DISH BELOVED ACROSS GERMANY, GOING
JOURNALISM

CAN GOLF MAINTAIN ITS REPUTATION?
COMMON GOOD MAGAZINE
August, 2023
PERSONAL ESSAYS

GOLF TAUGHT ME EMOTIONAL REGULATION, BUSINESS INSIDER
December, 2024
April, 2024

MY SUDDEN SYMPTOMS LEFT DOCTORS STUMPED, NEWSWEEK
June, 2024

A SCUBA DIVING HONEYMOON WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS, SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE
May, 2022
April 2022

I QUIT MY CUSTOMER SERVICE JOB TO BECOME A FREELANCER, BUSINESS INSIDER
April 2022

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PLAY SCUBA POKER, SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE
February, 2023
SEO BLOGS

DIVERSE VOICES IN TRAVEL, SOUL OF TRAVEL
OTHER PROJECTS
For additional copywriting samples, please reach out.
Documentary Script Writing


































































