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!

JIDAR Street Art Festival – How Rabat Celebrates International Urban Art

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Coming to one of Morocco’s imperial cities, you would probably expect a kasbah and a medina, mighty mosques, and colorful souks. But would you anticipate some of the most vibrant urban art scenes? Yet, every year, Morocco’s capital Rabat hosts a fantastic international street art festival called JIDAR. Then, artists from all over the world come to Rabat to leave their beautiful traces on the city’s façades.

Mural by Peruvian street artist El Decertor and Moroccan street artist Machima.
An amazing painting by Peruvian street artist Decertor and Moroccan street artist MACHIMA. Inspired by a red headscarf, they created a deep and meaningful work that you can see at the corner of Avenue Hassan II and Rue Al Khadir Ghailane.

Hence, in this post, I’m guiding you to some of the best murals that were created over the past years. So tie your trainers, polish your camera’s lens and just follow me.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Three Days in Mystic MARRAKECH – How to Get Lost Without Losing It

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Travelling to Marrakech? Getting a bit nervous? I don’t blame you! Although I’m an avid female solo traveller, the idea of spending three days by myself in mystic and mysterious Marrakech was simply petrifying. I saw myself wandering mindlessly through narrow alleys, lost between snake charmers and tourist enticers, entangled in 1001 pushy sales pitches, never finding my way back to my Riad.

Water bearer in mystic Marrakech
Of course, these guys aren’t selling water nowadays. But they are selling illusions. Actually, pretty suiting for a place like the enigmatic Jemaa el-Fnaa.

And although Marrakech was actually everything I expected – and even so much more – it did not intimidate let alone scare me. Yes, there were charmers – aiming at snakes and at tourists. But neither were the sellers as pushy as expected nor the alleys as confusing as feared. Did I get lost? Yes, but there was definitely no reason for losing it.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

RABAT – two days in the grand capital of Morocco

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Just like to everyone’s surprise Rio de Janeiro is not the capital of Brazil, Sydney isn’t the capital of Australia, and Zurich isn’t the capital of Switzerland, hardly anyone would expect the rather unknown’n’underrated city of Rabat to be the capital of mesmerizing Morocco.
Places like Marrakech or Casablanca are internationally far more famous, after all.

View of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, today's capital and on of the imperial cities in Morocco
View of the famous Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat.

Therefore let me guide you in this comprehensive post on Rabat to the most spectacular spots and landmarks that you can comfortably visit in just two days in the grand capital city of Morocco.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Two Days in MEKNES – the underrated Versailles of Morocco

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As many visitors to Morocco pay Meknes, supposedly the country’s Versailles, just a short visit on a day trip – or even skip it altogether – the charming city is much more serene and authentic than her big sisters Fez, Marrakech, and Rabat.

Man on a bike in Meknes, the Versailles of Morocco
Mesmerizing Meknes can be explored by various means of transportation, obviously.

Conveniently located between Rabat and Fez, Meknes is a perfect retreat for those who need a break from the hustle’n’bustle and still want a truly Moroccan experience. Ideally, you should spend not only a day, but at least one night in Meknes to truly enjoy its laid-back oriental vibe.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

BANGKOK – more than just one night

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Tradition and modernity in social graces, grand culture, and inspiring architecture are the reasons you should definitely visit Bangkok for more than just one night.

Panoramic View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount
Panoramic View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount

A visit to the vibrant capital is a must on every trip to Thailand. Therefore, it’s very convenient that most individual travellers are landing at one of Bangkok’s airports, anyway.

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Best Street Art in HAMBURG

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Hamburg has always been unique – on many levels. Hence, it’s only logical that much of the best street art in Hamburg is quite different from the murals you get to see in other cities.

Best Street Art in Hamburg
Portrait of Hamburg’s most celebrated son Hans Albers.

So, put on your most comfortable shoes, polish your camera’s lens, and let’s explore all those grand murals that are embellishing the walls of Germany’s self-proclaimed Gateway to the World.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

LA OLIVA – Fuerteventura Like in Ye Olden Days

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There are actually still a couple of majestic structures reminding the visitor that the small yet picturesque town of La Oliva used to be of high significance for Fuerteventura in Ye Olden Days.

Traditional Canarian buildings at Fuerteventura's former capital.
Traditional Canarian buildings at Fuerteventura’s former capital.

Whether the coronel’s former mansion Casa de los Coroneles, the old granary Museo del Grano La Cilla, or the church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria – the little town between Corralejo in the west and El Cotillo on the east coast is basically like an outdoor museum.

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10 Most Beautiful Palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris

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The Marais is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris. Cool bars and crowded restaurants, hip stores, and expensive, stylish apartments – these are just a few things you can find in the Marais neighborhood today.
In the 17th century, the Marais became the preferred residential area for the nobility, who had numerous villas and city palaces built there. In the course of the French Revolution, however, the nobility was expelled from the Marais. They probably took their belongings with them, however, they had to leave their posh cribs behind.
In this post, I’m inviting you on a stroll that will take us to 10 of the most beautiful palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris.

Hôtel de Sully, one of the 10 Most Beautiful Palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris
The manicured courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best STREET ART in PALMA de MALLORCA

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A couple of weeks ago, I’ve introduced Palma de Mallorca as a beautiful and vibrant city, however, I skipped an essential aspect, namely, the ingenious street art that looks back at a long tradition.

Bronze sculpture Usagi Kannon by Swiss-Japanese artist Leiko Ikemura at the Parc de la Mar in Palma de Mallorca
The bronze sculpture Usagi Kannon by Swiss-Japanese artist Leiko Ikemura decorates the Parc de la Mar until August 2021.

Actually, no beautiful and energetic city is complete without some ingenious and vigorous street art, right?

This Way to the Whole Story ->