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 work, or visit the CV 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:
- 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
CLINIC LES ALPES, OUTTHERE
October, 2024
THE BEST HOTELS IN SOUTH AMERICA, FODOR'S
October, 2024
HOW DID THE DÖNER KEBAB BECOME GERMANY'S MOST POPULAR SNACK?
ADVENTURE.COM
June, 2023
DIVERSE VOICES IN TRAVEL, SOUL OF TRAVEL
July, 2024
DÖNER KEBAB: THE TURKISH DISH BELOVED ACROSS GERMANY, GOING
March, 2023
JOURNALISM
LOCALS USE INSTAGRAM TO FIGHT HOUSING CRISIS, DAILY DOT
November 2022
PERSONAL ESSAYS
A SCUBA DIVING HONEYMOON WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS, SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE
May, 2022
OTHER PROJECTS
Documentary Script Writing
MEDIA APPEARANCES
Zanny is a guest on the Bounce Back Stronger podcast to talk about her relationship with travel, health, and mindfulness.
Zanny is a guest on the Oldish podcast to talk about the Substack she writes with her father: Hi Zan, Hi Pa.
An interview with Zanny for a class at The College of St. Scholastica on Writing for Mass Media.
Zanny appears in a documentary short by TripAdvisor's Wanderlab
Award Nominations
In 2022, Zanny was a finalist for Travel Media's Young Writer of the Year Award! In 2023, Zanny was a finalist for AITO's Young Travel Writer of the Year Award!
Zanny is mentioned in a segment on New England Public Media.