Rene Cizio's Blog, page 3

How to See the Napali Coast: A Thrilling Raft Trip

The Napali Coast in Kauai, Hawaii, is a stunning, remote coastline you can see only by hiking, boat, or helicopter. Which would you pick?

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Where to See Monarch Butterflies Near Mexico City

Every autumn, the Monarch Butterfly migration takes place. Millions of butterflies travel over 3,000 miles from northeastern North America. They spend the winter in the forests of southwestern Mexico. There are four preserves about two hours outside Mexico City. Visitors can see the butterflies high up in the mountain. Experiencing the migration of the Monarch Butterflies near Mexico City is something out of a dream. It is one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena in the world. It’s mind-bending when you ponder how Monarchs manage to travel so far without a “map.” They end up in the same place year after year. This happens in a tiny area in the mountains of central Mexico. These specific butterflies have never been there before. It’s a question for the universe. El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Preserve I’d paid a guide to drive me to one of the reserves in the mountains. The entire drive was peppered with traffic and concrete, garage-like housing. Despite driving two hours outside of Mexico City, it didn’t seem like we’d ever be in the wild. Eventually, though, the population became noticeably less dense. It wasn’t until the last 20 minutes that we were finally in the woods.   […]

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Unique Things to Do Day or Night in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Visiting Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park offers an extraordinary experience, featuring two of the world's most spectacular volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano. The park provides hiking trails, night-time stargazing, and opportunities to witness flowing lava.

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How a Year of Solo Travel Transforms a Life

When I started traveling alone on a long road trip, it would be for three months. It ended up being almost two years. I didn’t intend to transform. Now, I know that experiencing and learning so many new things about myself and the world makes it unavoidable. Inevitable. My solo travels have taken me through many states in the US, parts of Mexico and Canada. With time alone in ways that we are otherwise never alone, I dove deep. It allowed me to discover many things about my life, my personality and how I see the world. Solo travel reveals or renews your sense of self I’ve realized that solo travel gives us a new perspective, whether done in short bursts or long term. It helps us see and understand ourselves anew. Not only are the places new, but we are different in those places. Every place we go, some new aspect of our character is created. This aspect would have never existed if we hadn’t traveled. We discover new flavors, smells, and tastes in each place. We encounter new sights, textures, and sounds. In response, we learn new likes, dislikes, and behaviors. I’m always finding new foods, music, clothes […]

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Coffee in Hawaii is an Experience Worth Having

Beyond the beaches, coffee in Hawaii deserves your attention. If you love coffee like I do, there’s something unique and delicious for you in Hawaii. Exploring the coffee culture is just the thing. From the many plantations, custom roasters, and the region’s unique history, coffee in Hawaii is an adventure you’ll savor.   Things to Know About Coffee in Hawaii  I love coffee. Whenever I travel anywhere, I find local roasters and cafes. It’s less common I can get right to the source – the growers. Yet, Hawaii’s mineral-rich volcanic soil creates ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. It’s known for its coffee production and you’ll find plantations across the islands, each with its unique beans. I visited plantations on the Big Island and Kauai.   Where they Grow Coffee  There are coffee plantations across the Hawaiian islands where the diverse microclimates contribute to the complex flavors of Hawaiian coffee. Many coffee farmers focus on sustainable practices that protect the delicate ecosystem. The hospitality of the locals adds to the charm of a coffee tour.   The Big Island’s Kona Coffee is the crown jewel of Hawaiian coffee. Kona coffee, grown in the Big Island’s Kona district, is the most celebrated Hawaiian […]

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Go Beyond the Beach: Explore Hawaii’s Waimea Canyon

They call Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Imagine it with more color and tropical foliage, less crowded, and more wild. This canyon is more than just a deep cut in the earth. It’s a living ecosystem. Native Hawaiian plants cling to the canyon walls, rare birds flit through its cliffs and waterfalls flow from its edges, making it an excellent place for a hike.   What Makes Waimea Canyon So Special  Waimea Canyon stretches over 10 miles long, one mile wide, and reaches depths of up to 3,600 feet. Within that, the unique geological formations, lush vegetation, and dramatic red, orange, and green cliffs create a landscape of stunning beauty.   Carved by the Waimea River over millions of years, the canyon’s name comes from the Hawaiian word for “reddish water,” which describes the canyon’s primarily red earth. This vibrant red hue is caused by iron oxide, a mineral formed by the decomposition of volcanic rock.  Volcanic Origins and Geology   The canyon’s dramatic landscape began from volcanos. Millions of years ago, volcanic eruptions built up layers of lava and ash, creating Kauai. The various layers form the colorful canyon, which, due to erosion, now reveals a […]

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Explore Weir Farm: A National Park for Art

You’ve probably heard of Yellowstone and Yosemite, but did you know Weir Farm is a national park for art? Most people are familiar with the popular scenic parks, but the National Park Service manages more than 400 sites dedicated to history, people, and events. Weir National Park in Connecticut is the only national park for art dedicated to American Impressionism. It was once the home of American Impressionist J. Alden Weir. I visited the park during my two-year road trip as a nomad. The Weir Farm National Historic Site includes 71 landscaped acres filled with the Weir home, other houses, barns, and the art studio. The beauty includes historic flower beds, stone walls and old-growth trees making it easy to see why Weir called this the “Great Good Place.” It’s the only national park for art where you can explore art showcases and expect to see artists outside painting en plein air. If Weir Farm sounds familiar, it should. In 2020, the United States Mint created the Weir Farm National Historic Site Quarter as one of the America the Beautiful Quarters. It pictures a painter at an easel on the historic farm. Who Was J. Alden Weir? Julian Alden Weir […]

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Vow of Silence Broken: What It’s Like at a Silent Retreat

I’m not supposed to be writing this. I’m at a silent retreat and even writing to myself is forbidden. Now, every whisper on the page is a broken vow, a crack in my facade of serenity.   When I signed up for this five-day retreat, I expected it to be easy-ish. How hard could it be to be quiet, enjoy solitude, healthy vegetarian eating and yoga? Five days of silence. No phone, no internet, no chattering chorus of social media. Just me, the mountains, and my thoughts. Easy peasy.  I’m looking for more peace, a retreat from the relentless symphony of busy, modern life. I didn’t expect that my thoughts would be a deafening hum or that I’d have to give up my daily journaling habit. But here we are.   When I asked what I should do instead of journaling, the teacher said, “Why do you need something to do? Try to just sit with yourself.” I’m not even sure what that means, I said. She suggested walking among the trees. “Be with nature, not just in it.” Okay, I sigh under my breath. The process, however, will be gradual; I’m still technically allowed my journal today. But tomorrow, well, tomorrow, […]

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6 Things Nobody Tells Solo Female Travelers

I never thought I’d count myself among solo female travelers, but there were places I wanted to go and often nobody to go with. Relationships come and go; friends have other responsibilities, lack funding, or aren’t interested in the same places. I could wait indefinitely and hope for the right circumstances to appear or find my courage and go alone. I chose the latter and it’s a decision I’ve come to love.  If I hadn’t found the courage to travel solo about 15 years ago, the list of places I’ve seen would be much, much smaller – like nonexistent. Today, I’ve been to dozens of places alone, and my life is so richer because of it. It’s no longer something to fear but rather something I cherish. There are pros and cons to solo travel, some specific to women and a few we never talk about. A survey by Statista titled “Leading obstacles for female travelers to go on a solo trip worldwide in 2021” found that some of the top reasons were safety, higher costs of solo travel, dining alone and being discriminated against. I can vouch for all of these.  Planning to Travel Alone is More Work but Worth it […]

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An Insider’s Look at the Guest House at Graceland

 The gates swing open, revealing a sprawling estate bathed in the warm glow of the Memphis sunset. It looked immediately familiar as the iconic home of the King himself, Elvis Presley, but it wasn’t. It’s the Guest House at Graceland next door.  I stayed at the hotel overnight during a quick stop at Graceland and found it to be a resort experience fit for a rockstar or at least someone who wants to feel like one.  As a lifelong Elvis fan, I’ve visited Graceland before, but this was the first time I could stay so close to the house. Until the Guest House at Graceland opened a few years ago, the nearest hotels were several miles away. Now, you can stay just steps away from the famous mansion. I couldn’t resist and the experience didn’t disappoint.   When I pulled up to the gates outside the hotel, I noticed that the exterior windows and white pillars resembled Graceland, but the main building had a delightful pink tint.  Inside the Guest House at Graceland  Stepping into the lobby is like entering a fever dream for Elvis fans. Crystal chandeliers glitter overhead, and plush carpeting bore the iconic “TCB” lightning bolt – Elvis’s motto […]

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