Author: Renata Green

The world is my oyster: I'm Renata, founder and editor of this travel blog. bye:myself - no, that's not a typo, it's referring to me saying bye to my comfort zone and heading for new shores solo. Having been a solo traveller, flashpacker, and poverty jet setter for ages made me an avid and savvy planner and organizer of worldwide travel. Since I've been an author and journalist practically all my life, I love to put my travel experience into writing to encourage, inspire, and assist you. Looking forward to meeting you somewhere on this planet!

Weekend in GHENT – Medieval Heritage Meets Metropolitan Vibes

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Nobody told me that two days might be rather short for a visit to Ghent. In fact, few cities blend centuries of rich heritage into modern urban life as effortlessly as Ghent. Massive medieval structures, picturesque canals, and centuries-old guildhalls form one of Belgium’s most atmospheric historic centers. Yet, behind its magnificent facades, Ghent is a vibrant university city boasting a truly unique energy. Less crowded than Bruges and far more laid-back than Brussels, it strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity.

Korenlei in Ghent.
Ghent’s historic Korenlei waterfront combines centuries of history with a very contemporary zest for life.
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What to Do in ANTWERP in Three Days – The Obvious and the Unexpected

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So you’re looking for a city trip to a place that’s as trendy as Amsterdam, but without the crowds? A place bursting with Flemish architecture and history like Brussels, but without the hectic pace of a capital city? And one with the creative energy and outstanding design of Copenhagen, but without the Scandinavian price tag? Don’t look any further, as Antwerp unites all those strong suits and still keeps a very laid-back vibe.
In this comprehensive guide to Antwerp, I show you what to see and do in three days – the obvious as well as the very unexpected.

Groenplaats in Antwerp.
If you’re looking for a good place to take a break and enjoy some people-watching, Groenplaats, right behind the Cathedral of Our Lady, is the perfect spot.
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KINDERDIJK – a Day Trip into Authentic Dutch Heritage

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In my post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands, I raved about the trendy, dynamic, and multicultural vibe of Holland’s second-largest city. Although I fell in love with Rotterdam instantly, there were moments when I missed the cutesy, traditional side of the Netherlands. Luckily, I found exactly that just about half an hour east of the city. In Kinderdijk, nineteen historic windmills rise along the waterways and make a day trip from Rotterdam a truly authentic experience.

Collage of Pictures from Kinderdijk
In Kinderdijk, everything revolves around windmills.

For centuries, they have shaped a landscape that is not only picturesque but, above all, functional. Here, it becomes clear how closely the country’s history is intertwined with the constant struggle against the elements. However, it’s the authenticity that makes Kinderdijk so very special. Those mills are not merely an attraction for visitors, but part of a historic water management system that has been used for centuries and remains largely intact to this day. In 1997, UNESCO honored Kinderdijk as an exceptional testament to Dutch engineering by recognizing it as a World Heritage Site.

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24 hours in ZURICH

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Zurich was one of the very first cities for which I compiled an itinerary in my 24 Hours in… series. This is because the series was born out of necessity, due to the long hours I had to waste unproductively at layover airports on flights. So why not transform them into a short mini-vacation?

The neoclassical statue at Bürkliplatz depicts the beautiful youth Ganymede from Greek mythology, who was abducted by Zeus to Mount Olympus.
This neoclassical statue at Bürkliplatz depicts the beautiful youth Ganymede from Greek mythology, who was abducted by Zeus to Mount Olympus. Today, it’s one of the most popular photo motifs.

Zurich, along with cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon, is one of the airports where I most frequently change planes. Consequently, it immediately made the list.

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24 hours in BASEL

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I always try to book the cheapest flights. This often involves at least one layover, frequently lasting several hours. Hence, my many long layovers in major hub cities like Paris, London, Lisbon, and others have inspired my series 24 Hours in…. There, I offer fellow travellers suggestions on how to transform those unproductive hours into a mini-vacation.

View of Basel's old town across the river Rhine.
View of Basel’s old town across the river Rhine.

Now, Basel’s airport isn’t one of the most frequented hubs. Nevertheless, due to the city’s location at the tripoint of Germany, France, and Switzerland in the heart of Europe, it often lies on the globetrotter’s route, especially if you travel by train or long-distance bus across the continent. And also my road trip through Europe brought me back to Basel – and enabled me to put together this 24-hour itinerary for this often underrated and overlooked art hub.

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What not to Miss in ZURICH – A City of Undervalued Natural Wealth

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Nestled between Alpine panoramas and a vibrant urban pulse, Zurich surprises with an unexpected blend. Switzerland’s largest city is not only a financial center. It is also a place where ideas have always converged and new things were born. Emigrants, artists, and thinkers have left their mark here, a legacy that is still palpable today.
At the same time, Zurich boasts not only financial prosperity but also abundant natural wealth that is definitely not to miss. Lake Zurich shimmers in the heart of the city, and the Alps seem almost within reach. Between trendy neighborhoods, historic alleyways, and creative spaces, a city unfolds that is open, lively, and surprisingly progressive.

The jetty at Bürkliplatz.
The jetty at Bürkliplatz is one of Zurich’s major tourist magnets.
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Best of BASEL – What Not to Miss on a Weekend in the Tri-Border Arts Hub

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Basel is one of those cities that feels like it should be bigger than it is. Not in size – but in presence. Sitting right where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, it exists in a constant cultural overlap: Swiss precision, French flair, and German structure all blending into something unexpectedly creative. Even if you spend just a weekend in Basel, you’ll quickly realize how much there is you simply shouldn’t miss – and in this post, I’m showing you the best of the best.

Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin
Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin: very Swiss, very artsy, very Basel.
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An Audience With GENOA – What Not to Miss When Visiting the Queen of Liguria

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As the Republic of Venice built its palaces in the lagoon, another maritime power gazed out over the Mediterranean further west: Genoa. Here, nestled between steep hills and the open sea, a city arose that for centuries thrived on trade, ships, and the courage of its merchants.
So let me show you what not to miss on a visit since even today, Genoa feels like a hidden chapter of Italian history—less overrun than Venice, but all the more rugged, authentic, and surprisingly multifaceted.

Old harbor of Genoa.
Genoa is a jumble of all the elements you can see in this busy picture.

However, Genoa is not a place that reveals its charm and beauty right at first glance. But that is precisely its allure. Meander through streets between splendor and patina. Lose all sense of time and space in the maritime whirlwind of a glorious past and an enchanting present.
This is Genoa, the Queen of Liguria.

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Comprehensive Guide to COMO – a Lake to Like

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I love Italy: the Renaissance, the coastal landscapes, the gelato, the dolce far niente. Somehow, I’m tangled in these clichés like a fork in a heap of spaghetti. The amazing thing is, on my frequent trips to Bella Italia, I actually encounter all these images. For example, in the picturesque lake district of Northern Italy. Need proof? Here’s a comprehensive travel guide to the breathtaking Lake Como – truly a lake to like.

View of lake como and the Alps.
Blue waters, charming villages, and the snow-capped mountaintops in the background: That’s what Lake Como is all about.
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