
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.
​
Based in Colorado.
ZANNY MERULLO STEFFGEN
Disabled Travel Journalist
Contemplative Essayist
Copywriter
​
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​
​
​
Destination Expertise:
Southwest US, New England, Cambodia, Italy, Germany
Recent trips to Central and South America
***
TRAVEL WRITING


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

CLINIC LES ALPES, OUTTHERE
October, 2024

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

SHINTA MANI FOUNDATION: POWER RANGES, OUTTHERE
August, 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

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

Zanny is a guest on the Limitless Living podcast to talk about how taking a gap year changed her life.
Zanny is interviewed by former classmate Kevin Zhen about choosing not to go to college.
