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!

Day Trip Into a Fairy Tale: Lake Bled by Public Bus

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Lake Bled is one of those European places of longing. It is one of the sites whose pure name brings a sparkle to the eyes of any day-tripper.
Who hasn’t seen the image of Saint Mary’s Church which seems to float on an island in the middle of the iconic Slovenian lake?
And believe me, this picture is no illusion. These sceneries fulfill their promise of captivating you the moment you lay eyes on them for the first time.
I had the privilege to experience this for myself on a day trip to Lake Bled, which I was actually able to organize myself by taking the public bus from Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana.

View of Lake Bled on a Day Trip by Public Bus
Everybody loves Lake Bled.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

LONDON – Off the Beaten Path

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Yes, London is packed with iconic landmarks that every first-time visitor should see. But what if this is not your first visit to London or you simply want to add some unusual and quirky – in short: very British – spots to your itinerary? Fear you not, after many visits to London – and with a little help from a local – I put together the most intriguing, interesting, and idiosyncratic places off the beaten path.

Street in the center of London.
There’s a lot going on in the streets of London, hence, it’s not always easy to find your way off the beaten path. Yet, this is what this post is for.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

FRIEDRICHSTADT – A Little Piece of Holland in Northern Germany

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In northern Germany, the city of Friedrichstadt was founded by religious refugees from Holland in 1621 – and it shows to this date. On a weekend break or even just a day trip from for instance Hamburg or Lübeck, you find yourself amidst cute little gabled houses and can even enjoy a canal cruise just like in Amsterdam.

Dutch Architecture in Friedrichstadt
Houses like in Amsterdam.

It’s a shame that Germany just seems to stand for beer and cuckoo clocks and Gesundheit while there are so many beautiful places, quirky phenomenons, and natural wonders to discover.

On my blog, I made it a mission to introduce those highly interesting’n’intriguing places that are still under the international visitors’ radar.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Stroll the Fortress Wall of SUWON

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Yes, I know, there are tons of interesting and exciting things to do in Seoul. However, you should make time for a day trip from Seoul to the satellite city of Suwon where you can literally step into the past and the footsteps of Korean Royalty on a stroll on top of the Hwaseong Fortress Wall.

Northeastern Corner Pavilion - Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion which is part of the Fortress Wall of Suwon, visited on a Day Trip from Seoul.
The ancient wall with the modern city in the backdrop.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

A VAN-TASTIC TRIP to the ISLAND of FEHMARN

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Spending a weekend trip or a vacation on the island of Fehmarn in a camper van gives you a totally different perspective of the island’s cool activities and beautiful sceneries.

Surfer in front of the Fehmarnsoundbridge off the Island of Fehmarn
While the strong wind is the cyclist’s enemy, it’s definitely the surfer’s and kiter’s best friend. One of the hotspots is at Fehmarn’s southern strait next to the legendary Fehmarnsundbrücke, the Fehmarnsoundbridge

After I had spent a weekend on this Baltic island in Spring – when it still was a bit nippy – I thought, in Summer, this place must be paradise.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Take a Break: The Three Best Beaches You Can Easily Visit From VENICE

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There’s no question about it: Venice is absolutely magical. Strolling between the canals and over countless bridges. Losing yourself between majestic palazzi and gazing dreamily after the gondolas.
However, despite its ancient charm, Venice keeps you on your toes, and a visit can also get quite stressful. The masses of tourists, the queues, the pushing and the shoving at the jetties. In the summer there is also the heat.
Therefore, if you have the chance, it’s definitely worth adding one or two days extra to spend on one of the beaches off the Veneto shores.
Let me assure you: Pampering yourself with a day full of dolce far niente, hence, sweet idleness, will recharge your batteries and get you fit so that you can joyfully plunge back into the hustle and bustle of Venice.
Don’t know where to spread out your beach towel?
No problem: In this post, I’ll introduce you to the three best beaches that you can reach quickly and easily by public bus or the iconic water bus Vaporetto from Venice.

The Diga Faro Alberoni on the Lido di Venezia.
Taking a refreshing dip at the Lido di Venezia.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

VENICE on a Budget: When to Go, Where to Stay, What to Eat, And Much More

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Venice on a budget? Is that even possible?
Agreed, visiting Venice can be pretty pricey.
After all, you find yourself at one of the world’s most unique places – and it comes with a price tag.

Italy Venice Canale Grande
Every visitor to Venice will know this sight: The Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo across from the main train station Venezia Santa Lucia, photographed from the Ponte degli Scalzi.

However, if you follow my simple hacks, visiting Venice on a budget is easy and still very enjoyable.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

How to Visit the Biennale di Arte in Venice in 2024

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The Biennale di Arte, one of the world’s most important art events, takes place every two years. Although Venice is certainly a place worth visiting even when nothing special is on, my post on how to visit the city during the Biennale 2024 will make your trip even more memorable.

Facade of the central pavilion at the Giardini during the 60th edition of the Biennale di Venezia in Venice in 2024.
The Huni Kuin Artists Movement, or MAHKU in short, was founded in the Brazilian Kaxinawá Huni Kuin Indigenous Territory in 2013. MAHKU designed the facade of the central pavilion of the Giardini venue with the legend of the Kapewë Pukeni alligator bridge.
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Why the City of ULSAN is Absolutely Worth a Visit

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You might have never heard of Ulsan. In ye olden days, the city was known for whaling. Fortunately, all that’s left of this kind of animal cruelty is a whale museum and some memorabilia at the former whaling village Jangsaengpo.
Today, Ulsan prides itself on being the home to the world’s largest single industrial plant. Hyundai Industries consists of five independent factories with a total of approximately 32,000 employees. And while this is pretty impressive, I totally understand when it doesn’t sound like a good reason to squeeze a day in Ulsan into your already very tight itinerary for South Korea.
But wait, not so fast: In this post, I’ll give you three proper reasons why a visit to the underrated city of Ulsan is absolutely worth your while.

Daewangam Park on the coast of Ulsan. Just one reason why Ulsan is absolutely worth a trip.
As you leave the humongous industrial plants behind, you get to enjoy an absolutely exquisite stretch of Korea’s eastern coast.
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INCHEON – Best Things to Do in Korea’s Only Chinatown

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Basically, all visitors to Korea have heard about a place called Incheon – for the simple fact that the city 28 kilometers west of the capital Seoul is home to the country’s busiest airport. But this major hub is by far not all Incheon has to offer. In this post, I’m sharing with you the best things to do on a day trip to Korea’s only official Chinatown.

Chinatown Incheon
The backside of Incheon’s famous Paeru, the entrance gate into Korea’s Chinatown.
This Way to the Whole Story ->