Tag: STORIES&HISTORY

Self-Planned Day Trip to MONT SAINT-MICHEL – Easily Organized Even from Paris via Rennes

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The legendary Mont Saint-Michel in the tidal flats of the English Channel is one of the most mesmerizing places in Europe. Located about one kilometer off the coast of Normandy, it is surrounded by the sea and steeped in legend. For me, the greatest wonder, however, was how easy it is to visit this extraordinary place independently using public transport. With minimal planning, you can take a self-organized day trip to Mont Saint-Michel even from Paris via Rennes. In this post, I provide you with all the necessary information for optimal planning, ensuring your own trip becomes a complete success and you have an unforgettable visit.

Mont Saint-Michel visited self-organized on a day trip from Rennes which is also possible from Paris.
An iconic sight.
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From North German Ports to the Americas: Migration in the 19th and 20th Century

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In the 19th and 20th centuries, millions of people left Europe for the Americas in search of a better life – choosing a migration route through North German ports.

sculpture called Die Auswanderer, emigrants, remembering Migration from North German Ports to the Americas
This sculpture called Die Auswanderer, hence emigrants, is standing on the shore of the river Weser. It remembers the seven million passing through the port of Bremerhaven. Actually, this statue by Frank Varga was donated by the German-American Memorial Association.

As a counterpart to the arrival halls in Ellis Island, several museums in German cities remember the adventurous journeys of the emigrants in transit.

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Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art – the best-hidden Gem of Istanbul

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Hardly anyone I know has ever heard of the Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art, so I really think it’s the best-hidden gem in Istanbul.

Coming to this grand city on the Bosphorus River, obviously, everybody is standing in line to see the antique masterpieces at Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace. Or – if they venture away from Sultanahmet – the very ‘French’ Dolmabahçe.

Terrace of the Proje4L/Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art - Istanbul's best-hidden Gem
Homage to Masters of Sculpture, against the backdrop of Istanbul’s financial center view,
(Photo: Kayhan Kaygusuz)

But hardly anyone comes to Istanbul to see the young, fresh, and daring Turkish contemporary art.

Big mistake!

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Break a Leg – My Bumpy First Encounter With Gran Canaria

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It was in June when I booked a flight to the Canary Islands. It was on a Wednesday that I landed at Gran Canaria’s international airport south of the capital Las Palmas. This city would be my base, however, it had to wait another night for me. The first day was dedicated to Agüimes, a small town about 30 minutes inland at the foot of the island’s famous mountains.

Barranco in Gran Canaria where I did break a leg
Not a busy spot, indeed.

Agüimes is very picturesque, however, there is not that much to do. I spent the afternoon walking around, awing and taking pictures of alleys and well-maintained houses, and many statues telling stories about the town’s history and culture. Then, the next morning, I wanted to walk to the famous Barranco de las Vacas, a gorge with rock formations as beautiful as those in Utah.

And then it happened. I broke a leg.

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how fast travel health insurance pays off

Posted onAuthorRenata Green4 Comments

Doctor holding a syringe to show how fast travel health insurance pays off
A shot can be necessary – and expensive.

I was shocked when I had to experience for the first time how fast travel health insurance pays off.

For years and years of extended travel, I didn’t even think about getting health insurance. Which doesn’t mean that I never got sick. I did. But I was roaming Europe, where everything was covered by my regular German health insurance.

When going to the US, I always stayed for roughly ten days. Very short stays.

Albeit, I know that this argument is completely illogical because it takes minutes to get sick and seconds to die.

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Language Learning in Izmir

Posted onAuthorRenata Green25 Comments

Since my two weeks of educational vacation in Rome were of such great personal gain, two years later it was time to go back on the language horse. After many hours in front of the computer screen talking in rudimentary Turkish to a learning program, I decided to give Izmir a shot.

Nestled between palm trees and lamp posts: Izmir proudly presents the Saat Kulesi - its major tourist attraction.
Nestled between palm trees and lamp posts: Izmir proudly presents the Saat Kulesi – its major tourist attraction.
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i am not a dark tourist, the world is a somber place

Posted onAuthorRenata Green9 Comments

I am not a dark tourist, the world is a somber place. I realize that almost every country I’ve visited lately has had to endure terror and bloodshed related to civil war.

bye:myself - Renata Green - byemyselftravels: Rijeka Croatia
Visiting a country and learning about its history can lead you to quite dark places. 

What does this fact say about me? And what does it say about the world we’re living in?

Disclaimer: This is a sad reflection.

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How I Became A Citizen Of The World

Posted onAuthorRenata69 Comments

How did I become a Citizen of the World? Why do I have these itchy feet? Where does this greed for exploring come from? Why this fascination with foreign customs’n’cultures? Was there a specific moment? Or did I get injected this yearning for travel in homeopathic doses?

Renata Green on the Beach in Split, Croati
For the first time on Croatian beaches.

I’ve put together five anecdotes about my earliest – and most impressive – travel memories that might explain a thing or two.

It’s really amazing what my brain remembers, how these trips sank in and anchored in my mind and soul.

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Language Learning in Brazil

Posted onAuthorRenata Green6 Comments

My passion for travelling and my interest in learning yet another language took me to Rio de Janeiro, the legendary metropolis on the Atlantic coast of Brazil.

Renata Green in Rio de Janeiro while learning the Portuguese language in Brazil.
This is what Bildungsurlaub stands for: Getting inspired by seeing things from a new perspective!
Here at Rio’s Jardim Botanico, a beautiful, serene oasis not far from the beach of Ipanema. 
There is not only an eclectic mix of untamed nature growing next to manicured lawns and flowerbeds, decorated with old, weathered statues and fountains. There is also an exhibition of modern art taking place. 
My favorite piece is an installation by Gustavo Prado called “Caminho Inverso”/”Reversed Path”. It consists of about thirty mirrors facing the top of the palm tree alley which shows you the plants from many, many….different perspectives!
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