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!

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.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

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 ->

Enchanting COTSWOLDS: Self-Guided Day Tour by Public Bus

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Nestled in south-central England, the picturesque Cotswolds are the epitome of the British countryside with charming villages surrounded by rolling hills and endless meadows. The Cotswolds are often described as the Heart of England. As they stretch across several counties, covering an area of approximately 800 square miles, England certainly has a big, big heart.
And while the Cotswolds are considered a British dream destination, and many tour operators charge an arm and a leg for a day tour, in this post I’ll show you how easy it is to visit five of the most idyllic villages – self-guided and for very little money, simply by public bus. All you need is sturdy shoes – and a raincoat, too, because you never know, after all, this is England.

17th-century almshouses in Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds that you can visit selfguided by public bus.
The 17th-century almshouses in Chipping Norton are just one of many architectural jewels around the mesmerizing Cotswolds.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in BIRMINGHAM

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Birmingham, and mainly the neighborhood of Digbeth, is so inundated with street art that it is almost impossible to pick the best murals. But see for yourself what Brum has to offer.

Mural depicting Black Sabbath, one of the best pieces of street art in Birmingham.
I don’t claim this to be the most artistic piece. However, as this mural depicts the iconic Brum metal band Black Sabbath around Ozzy Osbourne, it simply has to be the featured picture. Especially, after Ozzy passed away on July 22, 2025.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

What to See in BIRMINGHAM: A Peek Behind the Blinds of Britain’s Second-Largest City

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Birmingham, with its industrial past and its not always easy and smooth present, can be a challenging place for first-time visitors to appreciate. But if you take the time to peek behind the blinds of Britain’s second-largest city, you’ll discover that Birmingham has a lot to offer beneath its rough, at-first-glance unappealing exterior. In this post, I’ll shed light on even the darkest corners and show you what there is to see in Birmingham.

Street in Birmingham.
Drama, baby: To cherish Birmingham’s attraction, you have to pull aside some dusty blinds.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

La Vie en Rose: How Vilnius Celebrates Soup with Exuberance

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There is Mother’s Day and there is Father’s Day. There is Independence Day and there is Groundhog Day. Every day of the year, something or someone is being celebrated.
And then there is soup.
Not as a snack enjoyed during those celebrations.
No, soup is actually the main character of a debauchery that the city of Vilnius celebrates as a kickstart into summer.
Not just any soup, obviously. It’s Šaltibarščiai, the traditional pink soup that gets its color from its two main ingredients, kefir and red beet. For Lithuanians, it’s not just a refreshing dish, it’s a vibrant symbol of the country’s rich heritage, pride, and most importantly, pink joy in every bowl.
La Vie en Rose!

Girl playing the piano in Vilnius.
Pink Soup Fest transforms the city of Vilnius into a pink wonderland.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best And Most Beautiful Coffee Houses in Vilnius

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While I love city breaks, I’m always completely exhausted afterwards. I have a severe case of FOMO, which is constantly triggered by the big city lights, its seductive museums, its tempting architectural gems, and other tantalizations.
Food? I can eat later; after all, I had breakfast just a couple of hours ago.
Drink? Fine, but only a sip on the go so I don’t become completely dehydrated.
Plus, this ascetic way of visiting saves me from time-consuming trips to the bathroom.
Two birds with one stone.
Fortunately, there are also cities like Vilnius where leisure’n’pleasure are an important part of the culture, allowing me to both fulfill my mission as a self-proclaimed city scout and at the same time pamper myself and relax. This brings me to Vilnius’ rich coffee house culture. It needed to be explored. Someone had to do the job, so I sacrificed myself and can introduce you now to the best and most beautiful coffee houses in all of Vilnius.

Poniu Laime, one of the best Cafés in Vilnius.
Poniu Laime is probably the only Café that’s at least as popular for its decoration as for its treats.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Street Art in VILNIUS

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Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania, is rapidly becoming a dynamic center of street art, delighting locals and visitors. From striking larger-than-life murals to subtle stencil drawings in hidden alleys, the city’s urban art scene reflects a diverse mix of civic engagement and creative freedom. Mind you, these values ​​hold particular significance in a country, finally independent after centuries of foreign hegemony and cultural oppression.

Mural by Os Gemeos, one of the best pieces of Street Art in Vilnius.
Brazilian twins Os Gemeos came back to Lithuania with a very personal mission: to pay homage to their grandfather, who is of Lithuanian descent.

In this post, I’ll take you to remarkable places where the best street art in Vilnius thrives. I’ll explore the stories behind some of the city’s most outstanding works and show you how urban art shapes Vilnius’ identity as a center of creativity and innovation.

This Way to the Whole Story ->