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!

Guide to PUERTO DE LA CRUZ – a Town Full of Contrasts

Posted on2024-03-052025-09-15AuthorRenata19 Comments

Way back in Tenerife’s early years of tourism, the former fishing village Puerto de la Cruz was apparently destined to become this major mass tourism resort. Sadly, in some spots, merciless planners succeeded so that the town has to endure some of those horrific, soulless high-rising prefab buildings. But as mass tourism finally moved mostly to the south coast, Puerto de la Cruz got somehow stuck between its old charm and the ugly remains from the second half of the 20th century. It remained in a peculiar limbo between idyllic beaches and striking urban art. There is the old and the new, the borrowed and the blue – all in all, Puerto de la Cruz is a place of many contrasts, which makes it the perfect base on Tenerife’s northern coast.

View of Parque Maritimo Cesar Manrique, Puerto de la Cruz — When the waters are too rough, you can always go for a swim at the Parque Maritimo, created by Canarian superstar Cesar Manrique.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

TAGANANA – Over The Hills And Far Away in Tenerife

Posted on2024-03-022025-09-15AuthorRenata1 Comment

Instead of joining the tourist crowds on large beaches, are you looking for small bays to swim’n’sunbathe? Do you prefer to enjoy local cuisine and homemade wine in a small tavern over wild party nights? Would you like to be enchanted by picturesque mountain ridges and dense, fairytale-like forests?
Then, I have the perfect place for you: A bit over 20 kilometers north of the capital Santa Cruz, Tenerife keeps one of its greatest treasures, namely the mountain village of Taganana – a place over the hills and far away.

View of Taganana, the other side of Tenerife — Lush vegetation and rugged mountain ridges above blue waters: The secluded village of Taganana consists of pure beauty.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Solo Female Travel to Morocco – All Your Questions Answered

Posted on2024-02-202026-02-18AuthorRenata22 Comments

Ready to step into mystic tales from 1001 night? Planning your trip to Morocco but you aren’t sure if a female globetrotter should travel there solo? Relax, in this post, I have you covered. I’m answering all your questions – even those you didn’t know you had.
So pour yourself a glass of mint tea and prepare for a wonderful journey.

Fez train station. — Exploring Morocco by train is reliable and comfortable – and perfect also for solo-travelling women.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Rocking it in METEORA: Monasteries and Beyond

Posted on2024-02-152025-08-17AuthorRenata51 Comments

I must admit that till the moment I began to plan my trip to Greece, to me, Meteora was not a mesmerizing place packed with monasteries.

Holy Trinity Monastery at Meteora, Greece — The Holy Trinity Monastery is not the largest of the six remaining cloisters, however, the most picturesquely positioned one.

It was just the name of my favorite CD by one of my favorite bands, Linkin Park.

Since last Christmas, I know better; much better: Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece, about 350 kilometers north of Athens. It is famous for one of the largest complexes of monasteries.

So my initial rock-band reference was not that mistaken, after all: Meteora is rocking – big time!

This Way to the Whole Story ->

ARUBA: The Powerful Murals of San Nicolas

Posted on2024-02-112025-08-26AuthorRenata22 Comments

While Aruba is famous for its beaches, far too few people venture to the hidden gem San Nicolas in the south of the island where you get to see some of the most powerful murals.

Street Art by ChemiS in San Nicolas in Aruba — He’s looking at you, kid.

In this post, I’m introducing some of San Nicolas’ most impressive pieces that you can explore self-guided or on an organized tour.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to PARACAS and the ISLAS BALLESTAS

Posted on2024-01-302025-08-23AuthorRenata23 Comments

Here comes a guide to Paracas which is actually only a short promenade along the shore. However, it’s a great gateway to natural treasures like the Islas Ballestas, Peru’s Galapagos Islands.

Going by boat to the Islas Ballestas off the shore of Paracas — Paying birds and beasts a visit.

Every morning, the tour boats leave the village and show the visitors the undisturbed wildlife on these rocks. Sea lions, flocks of different birds, and even groups of penguins are greeting from the shores.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to AREQUIPA and the COLCA CANYON

Posted on2024-01-302025-08-23AuthorRenata23 Comments

This is a guide to the white city of Arequipa from where a day trip to the Colca Canyon is indispensable.

Catedral de Arequipe — In front of the Catedral de Arequipa, protests from the workers of the mines surrounding Arequipa. They are digging for ore, silver, and gold – a trade, that destroys nature and the workers.

After all, it’s like they say: El Condor Pasa….

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to PUNO and a visit to lake TITICACA

Posted on2024-01-302026-01-07AuthorRenata13 Comments

This is a guide to Puno, a town on the shores of lake Titicaca from where you can visit the self-made Uros islands and the mesmerizing Isla Taquile where the men are knitting hats’n’gloves with the most varied patterns.

Man overlooking Lake Titicaca on the Taquile island - seen on a daytrip from Puno to the Uros Islands and Isla Taquile — A Taquileño overlooking the deep blue lake. I wonder if he’s dreamily enjoying the view – or just dreams of getting away from all that knitting.

However, you might want to prepare yourself for some annoying altitude sickness since Puno is more than 3,800 meters above sea level – so don’t hold your breath.

This Way to the Whole Story ->