Author: Renata

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!

Take a Break: The Best Day Trips from PALERMO by Public Transport

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There’s no question about it: Palermo is a very cool place with tons of things to see and to do. This being said, spending a couple of days in a row in such a busy city can quickly become a bit stressful. Fortunately, there are quieter places within reach, even by public transport, that are perfect for day trips away from the hustle and bustle of Palermo.

View of Cefalù.
Just one hour east of Palermo the sun bathes the coast at Cefalù in an unreal, beautiful light.

Hence, I’m introducing you to four amazing places that you can reach quickly and easily by train or bus. Whether you are looking for archeological remnants, Baroque architecture, Sicilian cuisine, a shopping spree, or relaxing hours on the beach: I promise you’ll find it in this post.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in PALERMO

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While Palermo as such is very much underrated, the city’s best street art also thrives in the shadows. Very unjustly so!
In this post, I’m taking you on a tour of the city’s hotspots for urban art.
Prepare for some truly powerful murali!

Best Street Art Palermo: Portrait of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino
Immortalized in the heart of Palermo: Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Travel Planning With Google My Maps

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You know the drill: At the end of each of my travel guides, you will find a map on which you can see the location of all the featured landmarks, eateries, train stations, in short, all relevant places. This way, you can orient yourself quickly and easily during your own visit.
So far, so good.

Travel Planning Google MyMaps
Photo by Michaela 💗 from Pixabay

I have been creating these maps for you for years.
But it wasn’t until some time ago that it came to mind that I could create a map on Google My Maps ahead of a trip to optimize my travel planning.
This way, I have my itinerary clearly arranged and with all the information in one place.
My personal little travel guide in my pocket – literally.
In this post, I’m introducing the basics of Google My Maps and getting into detail about how you can personalize it and use it exactly the way it suits you best.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in TENERIFE

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Tenerife is by far not just about beaches’n’volcanos: In this post, I’m introducing the best in street art the island has to offer.

Best street art in Tenerife
In Tenerife, you can find great street art at literally every corner.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in RIGA

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Since Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the city has gradually embraced public art as a form of expression, moving from underground subculture to more mainstream recognition. Today, street art in Riga combines Eastern European influences with the best of contemporary urban creativity.

Street Art in Riga.
With this mural, you can even become part of the motif.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

PARIS for Free!

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In my last post on Paris, I introduced the Paris Museum Pass*, which makes every culture vulture’s stay in the self-proclaimed city of light smoother and, most importantly, far cheaper.
While that’s already pretty great, it actually gets even better: There are tons of fantastic things to see in Paris for free! Whether inspiring museums, amazing views, lush parks and gardens, the old saying that the best things in life Paris are free is absolutely right!
So leave your wallet at home and let’s explore Paris completely free of charge.

Eiffel Tower and a Carousel in Paris. Paris for free.
You can make Paris your playground without breaking the bank.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

PARIS Museum Pass: Skip the Lines And See It All For Less

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You’ve been to the Eiffel Tower, you’ve seen Sacre Coeur, and sailed on the river Seine? Great, after you’ve checked the most important tourist sites off your list, you, my fellow culture vultures, can focus on Paris’ amazing museums.
Actually, it’s mainly the city’s museums and monuments that make me come back to Paris again and again.
Therefore, in this post, I’m introducing the key that allows me to skip the lines and quickly open the doors to the best venues: It’s the Paris Museum Pass that grants access to no less than 50 museums and monuments at a very reasonable flat rate.

A visit to the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is included in the Paris Museum Pass as well. Paris Museum Pass Skip Lines
A visit to the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is included in the Paris Museum Pass as well.

Isn’t that far too much, you might ask? Well, you probably won’t visit all of them in one go.
Nevertheless, since with the Paris Museum Pass*, you don’t have to wait in the long lines that often form at the entrance doors, you’ll get to see more than you’ve ever expected.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

What Not to Miss in PARIS: 20 Must-Dos, Not Only for First-Timers

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Paris is the city of light, love, and unmatched charm! No matter if it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, the French capital never fails to enchant. Whether it’s the elegant boulevards or authentic quartiers, the leafy parks or world-famous museums: Paris blends effortlessly beauty, history, culture, and style.
But where to start and what to see?
Fear you not, as in this guide, I put together all the must-dos during your stay in Paris, no matter if you’re one of the lucky first-timers or a hooked regular. This way, you will soak in the essence of the city from the very moment you arrive.

Panoramic View of Paris.
This view never gets old.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in CHELTENHAM

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Cheltenham is the proverbial Cultural Heart of the Cotswolds for a reason. And a trip through the Cotswolds was actually the main reason for my stay in the city. However, since Cheltenham, in addition to its magnificent architecture and lush parks, boasts a considerable number of fantastic murals, I’ve taken my stay as an opportunity to compile the best street art the city has to offer.

Mural depicting sentimental farewell scenes combined with train tickets, one of the best pieces of street art in Cheltenham.
Sentimental farewell scenes, depicted by street artist Johnman from Dublin.
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Cheltenham in a Day: Paintings, Parks, and Promenades

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Cheltenham offers a very special mix: the city is historic yet trendy, sophisticated yet vibrant, cosmopolitan yet deeply rooted in the English countryside. Even in a single day, Cheltenham presents itself as an inspiring, diverse, and absolutely worthwhile city break.

The Montpellier Walk in Cheltenham.
The so-called Montpellier Walk from the 1840s features 32 elegant caryatid statues modeled on no less a place than the Acropolis.
This Way to the Whole Story ->