Rene Cizio's Blog, page 11

Visiting the Old Salem Moravian Community in North Carolina

I stumbled upon the Old Salem Moravian village while looking for an excellent place to walk and see the giant coffee pot I’d read about. What I wasn’t looking for was an old Moravian settlement, but it turned out to be the most exciting part of my trip to North Carolina. I’d never even heard of Moravians before I walked into Old Salem, so you can imagine my surprise at seeing an entire town that looked hundreds of years old. The first hint that I was about to go back in time occurred at the old, covered pedestrian bridge, which looked new but was constructed in a very old style. Then I entered the village and wondered if the bridge was some sort of portal back in time. I’m kidding, but that’s the Old Salem Moravian community’s effect on me. Here’s what I learned about this unique place and a few reasons you want to visit it too. Walking around the Old Salem Moravian Community I didn’t realize when I arrived that Old Salem is a historic district in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A sign told me the Moravian community settled the town in 1766. But wait – what’s a Moravian? […]

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4 Must See Roadside Attractions in North Carolina

If you’re visiting North Carolina anywhere near Winston-Salem, you’ll notice the roadside attractions – and you’ll definitely see them because they’re too big to miss. I only stayed in the area a few days, but by the end of the second, I’d spotted a theme: BIG novelty architecture objects on the side of the road. There are several that I stumbled upon and maybe more that I didn’t. Here’s what I found. 1 BIG Coffee Pot In Old Salem, the Winston-Salem historic district centers around a former Moravian village settled in 1766. These people were followers of John Huss in Moravia (now the Czech Republic) and founded the Protestant Moravian Church. The district – now National Historic Landmark – showcases preserved communal buildings, churches, houses and a living history museum, which is what I went to see. But a giant coffee pot at the front of the village caught my attention as soon as I arrived. The giant silver percolator sits on a wood pedestal and is over 7 feet tall. A sign says it can hold up to 740 gallons of coffee. That’s nearly 12,000 cups, so I hope you’re thirsty. The coffee pot is made entirely of silver […]

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Visiting St. Augustine, Florida; America’s Oldest City

There’s a lot of flash in St. Augustine, Florida. There’s music playing from seaside cafes and long haired retirees driving by on trikes and bikes. There are oodles of people wearing swimsuits with subtle coverups, and the scent of suntan oil wafts on the breeze. Local shops sell brightly colored swimwear and kitschy souvenirs that say things like “Life is better at the beach,” while children are chased by their parents as they cross the brick-lined streets. It’s loud, busy, colorful, and entirely Florida. There’s also a lot of history – it’s the oldest city in the United States. As I was driving to St. Augustine, Florida, I spotted a big black bear seated in the back of a pickup truck. It encompassed most of the bed. When I took a double take, I realized it was stuffed. The truck had a Florida license plate. I laughed and wondered, is Florida as weird as everyone says? I’ve been to Florida several times, but always for short stints of a week or less and always in different places. I’ve been to Miami a few times and through the entirety of the keys and Fort Lauderdale. Now, remembering those trips, maybe Florida […]

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10 Things to do in Charleston

There are so many things to do in Charleston, South Carolina; you can stay occupied for weeks if you’d like to. I recently spent several months in the southern United States and found Charleston filled with activity, history, unique architecture and alligators than I bargained for! But it is all splendid, and I’ll happily return again and again. Here are a few things I found to do in Charleston that are worth your while. 1 Go on a Carriage Tour The number one thing to do in Charleston is take a carriage tour. It may sound overly quaint, but hear me out. Charleston is known for its rare extensive collection of historically preserved homes and buildings. There’s nearly no other place in America where you’ll see so much historic colonial history in one area. The neighborhoods built in the 1670s include carriage houses, various outbuildings, and cobbled alleys with many details and hidden features for you to discover. You can walk or drive the neighborhoods, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned carriage ride for a few reasons. One: the pace of the carriage allows you to see more area than you will if you’re walking, and if you’re driving, you’re […]

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3 Unique Charleston Plantations Worth Visiting

South Carolina isn’t as known for its Charleston Plantations as it should be. Most people know about its historic colonial architecture, coastal seafood, and the old southern way of life. Still, it should also be known for its preservation of history through a series of stunning plantations. While I was in the area for more than a month, I visited three unique plantations that preserve important pre-civil war history. While plantations are representations of our grim past with enslavement, they’re being repurposed as educational centers that teach about American slavery, are being used as working farms, and give visitors an immersive glimpse of southern life of the past. These plantations tell stories and show a way of life from the early colonial period through the Civil War era, showcasing what land used to mean to the nation. Here are three plantations I visited and liked for different reasons. Middleton Plantation Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark, focuses on the preservation and historic interpretations based on the Middleton family’s lives and the enslaved African Americans who lived and worked here. Henry Middleton, who commissioned the design of the plantation and grounds, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This plantation […]

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One Year of Living in Airbnb: Pros, Cons and Cost

I’ve been living in Airbnb on a solo road trip since February 2021. So far, I’ve stayed in over 25 Airbnbs across every corner of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. I’ve also stayed in a few hotels, traditional BNBs and even my van when I’m camping. During this time, I’ve learned a lot about renting temporary places and experienced all sorts of different accommodations. No one sponsored this post. It’s just my truthful experience. Travel lifestyles are on the rise across the world. With the increase of remote work and the gig economy, it’s finally possible in a way it has never been before. According to a study by MBO Partners, roughly 19 million American adults plan to start the lifestyle over the next few years, and 45 million are considering it. Here are the pros and cons I’ve found while living in Airbnb for more than a year that might help you if you’re considering it – or just curious. While my experience relates specifically to Airbnb, it likely applies to any similar apps or services. Pro: Monthly Discounts on Airbnb Rentals For me, the idea of living in Airbnb formed when I realized many hosts offered discounts on […]

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1 Year of Living in Airbnb: Pros, Cons and Cost

I’ve been living in Airbnb on a solo road trip since February 2021. So far, I’ve stayed in over 25 Airbnbs across every corner of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. I’ve also stayed in a few hotels, traditional BNBs and even my van when I’m camping. During this time, I’ve learned a lot about renting temporary places and experienced all sorts of different accommodations. No one sponsored this post. It’s just my truthful experience. Travel lifestyles are on the rise across the world. With the increase of remote work and the gig economy, it’s finally possible in a way it has never been before. According to a study by MBO Partners, roughly 19 million American adults plan to start the lifestyle over the next few years, and 45 million are considering it. Here are the pros and cons I’ve found while living in Airbnb for more than a year that might help you if you’re considering it – or just curious. While my experience relates specifically to Airbnb, it likely applies to any similar apps or services. Pro: Monthly Discounts on Airbnb Rentals For me, the idea of living in Airbnb formed when I realized many hosts offered discounts on […]

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5 Categories of Fun Things to do in Savannah

There are so many more things to do in Savannah than touring the squares and searching for ghosts, but those are two great choices. I recently spent six weeks in the city and explored many great places and spaces that make the region so spectacular. Plenty of activities, day trips, tours and places to eat will leave you happy, and I’ve highlighted some of my favorites. If you’re planning a weekend trip or longer, you won’t want to miss these five categories of things to do in Savannah. Walking tours House tours Activities Places to eat Day trips 1. Walking tours Savannah is famous for its squares that make up the historic district downtown. Savannah’s founder, James Oglethorpe, created six neighborhoods in 1733, built around a central square. Today, 22 of the original 24 squares still exist. The 22 squares serve as focal points throughout the historic district, each with unique statuary, fountains, flowers, trees and seating areas. The huge live oaks draped in Spanish moss bring romantic southern charm to the squares and make taking a stroll around each one the best way to spend your time in Savannah. Much of life and tourism centers around the historic district […]

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Flannery O’Connor in Savannah: House Tour

The life of Flannery O’Connor in Savannah was poignant and undoubtedly shaped her for the writing that would make her famous. I toured the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home in Savannah, and what I learned helped me better understand the writer, the era and how she became a southern gothic novelist. Touring houses in the Savannah squares is one of the best activities many tourists participate in when visiting the city. It’s even better when it’s one where someone famous lived. A great choice is the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home.   The home of Flannery O’Connor in Savannah, Georgia, gives you a glimpse into her upbringing and the family lifestyle that formed this prolific writer. From here, the seeds that would become her famous stories about life in the south were planted.   Why Flannery O’Connor was Famous O’Connor, born in 1925 in Savannah, was a southern gothic novelist, short story writer and essayist. She won the O. Henry Award three times and the National Book Award for “The Complete Stories.” She’s a much-revered American writer famed for her sardonic portrayals of offbeat characters and surprising plotlines. When she began submitting stories during her college years, many publishers couldn’t believe she […]

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Going on the Sorrel-Weed House Ghost Tour

I went on a ghost tour of the Sorrel-Weed House in Savannah, and it’s a decision I’ve regretted ever since. The guides were terrific, and the information provided was top-notch. It’s the outcome I regret—the fear, nightmares and sleepless nights that have plagued me since. Even now, three months later, I am afraid anew. Judge it how you will; I’m not trying to convince you of anything; this is my impression of the place and my feelings after. It was on one of the infamous Savannah Ghost Hearse tours when I learned about the Sorrel-Weed House. The guide said it’s one of the most haunted sites in the city, possibly America. Further, for those who dared, they host midnight lock-ins with ghost hunting equipment. Fool that I am, I immediately decided to visit. History of the Sorrel-Weed House Many consider Savannah the most haunted in the country, and the Sorrel-Weed House is among the most haunted buildings. It’s also historic for its Greek Revival and Regency architecture and was the first state landmark in Georgia. It’s one of the biggest houses in Savannah, at nearly 16,000 square feet. Francis Sorrel had the house built in the 1830s and sold it […]

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