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!

LOS ANTIGUOS – borderline serenity

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Argentina is Latin America’s second-largest country and shares with Chile one of the world’s longest international borders – and at Los Antiguos, you can cross this borderline walking. From North to South, those two countries snuggle on about 5,300 kilometers!

Lago Buenos Aires at sunset
The sun is tenderly setting over Lago Buenos Aires.

Unless you are flying, these dimensions can make travelling a bit challenging. Routes can be very long, trips of about 15 hours are not unusual.

An invitation to include some stops – for instance in the border town of Los Antiguos.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

EL CALAFATE & EL CHALTEN – Argentina’s Winter Wonderland

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The mountains and glaciers around El Calafate and El Chalten are an eternal winter wonderland and therefore an unmissable highlight of a trip through Patagonia.

Couple taking pictures of the Perito Moreno Glacier close to El Calafate in Patagonia, Argentina
…and this is only a fraction of the gigantic glacier Perito Moreno!
This Way to the Whole Story ->

PUERTO SANTA CRUZ – the forgotten capital

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Travelling along the endless Argentine Atlantic coast, Puerto Santa Cruz is a perfect spot for a stopover.

Monument at the easternmost Punta Reparo, remembers the landing of Commodore Luis Py's Naval Squadron in defense Argentina against Chile in 1878.
Santa Cruz’s glory might be a bit forgotten, however, but it’s still very far from sinking. This monument, located at the easternmost Punta Reparo, remembers the landing of Commodore Luis Py’s Naval Squadron in defense of Argentina against Chile in 1878.

Actually, Patagonia’s former capital is so serene and pleasant that, for a while, you might forget travelling on.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

PUERTO MADRYN – all about whales and wales

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I included Puerto Madryn in my itinerary because it’s famous for its wildlife – however, apart from whales, it’s also known for Wales.

Patagonian Sea Lion on the Valdes Peninsula close to Puerto Madryn
Between beach days, you get to see fascinating creatures in the surroundings of Puerto Madryn.

Apart from its interesting history and amazing encounters with various species, it grants some beachfront relaxation; exactly what I needed at the end of my trip.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Best Things to Do in BARILOCHE – a Swiss Town in Northern Patagonia

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Dramatically jagged mountains, covered by a picturesque layer of eternal snow overtowering fir-covered hills – Bariloche is a Swiss Vacation, however, on the Opposite Side of the Globe.
Trouts jumping in ice-cold turquoise waters of glacier lakes, rivers, and creeks.
Still not Swiss enough?
Well, the town of San Carlos de Bariloche cranks it up a notch by manufacturing some of the world’s best artisan chocolate and making you pose with a Saint Bernard dog – including the small barrel of rum around the neck; his neck, not yours.
In this post, I’m introducing some of the best things to do in Bariloche, a Swiss town in Northern Patagonia.

Renata Green standing on the shore of Lago Puelo close to El Bolson on a day trip from Bariloche - enjoying a Swiss Vacation
Embracing Beauty!
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Welcome, World! Come In And Join Me In My Italian Online Course at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci

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Twice a week, I’m participating in an Italian online course at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci via Zoom – and welcoming classmates from all over the world to my humble living room.

Woman behind a laptop promoting learning online
Approaching my goal of being fluent in ten languages before kicking the bucket.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

TIVOLI – Villas, Waters, and Wealth. A Day Trip from Rome

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A day trip from Rome took me to Tivoli where I found mesmerizing villas and playful waters. In short, the remnants of Antique Roman wealth.

View of Tivoli from Hadrian's Villa, seen when visiting the Villas on a Day Trip
The so-called Poecile with the Roman Campagna in the backdrop.

Mind you, already Mr. Hadrian used to spend relaxing weekends at Tivoli almost 2,000 years ago.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

First Time in ATHENS – Beyond the Acropolis

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Yes, I’ve travelled the seven seas – at least metaphorically – but only recently I visited Athens for the first time. This is ironic since basically all of Greece is located on the seaside. With 13,676 kilometers of coastline – that’s roughly the little something of 8,498 miles – and 3054 islands and islets, Poseidon definitely is boss.

Not the only amazing facts. Next to Golgota and the Capitol, the Acropolis is one of the hills on which Europe was founded. So there is no excuse that I haven’t visited the cradle of our civilization before.

Cat at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
Although Greece is basically sea-girt, besides lots of water, there are many rocks. As well as cats.

So as we got nearer to Christmas and the holy days became holidays, the question of where I would spend them was quickly answered. Athens – for the first time.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Back to School: Italian Classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci

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Taking Italian Classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci is a quite distinctive experience. Whereby, I find that taking a language class in another country is a very special experience at any time and a grand opportunity for everyone.

The Fountain of the Books in Rome
Quenching the thirst for knowledge at the Fountain of the Books.

Not only can you practice what you have learned right on the spot – which will hopefully be an encouraging encounter. It also grants you the opportunity to experience life from a whole different perspective.

This Way to the Whole Story ->