Welcome to Salut Bye Bye, a travel blog born 12 years ago. I'm Marlène, 40 years old, based in Paris, and I share my travel stories, practical tips, and favorite spots to help you plan your next adventure — whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, as a family, or like me, as a solo mom! I created this blog to support other travelers and, above all, to encourage you to take the leap.
Traveling alone can be intimidating, and even planning your first trip can feel overwhelming. That’s why on this travel blog, you’ll find tons of tips to choose the right destination, build a clear itinerary, pack with peace of mind, and handle all the logistics stress-free.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway close to home, a family road trip during the school holidays, or a solo city break in Europe, you'll find a wealth of ideas here. This blog is for heritage lovers seeking cultural routes, parents looking for kid-friendly vacations, and curious travelers eager to explore something new. Expect to find activity ideas, travel guides, and practical tips for organizing a smooth, memorable trip — all based on real-world experience.
The goal is simple: to help you set off on an adventure, even if it’s nearby — no epic road trip required!
A solo travel blog turned solo mom travel blog
For several years, I loved traveling solo. I explored cities like Kraków, Lisbon, London, Nuremberg, and Prague. I wandered through Normandy, the Loire Valley, and the Paris region — sometimes just for a weekend, sometimes for longer. I followed my curiosity and created my own itineraries. I’ve always loved history, museums, memory sites, and scenic viewpoints — and I still do today!
Since becoming a mom, my adventures have taken on a new form. I've learned how to plan family trips with a toddler, adapt to a slower pace, and anticipate a child’s needs — while still feeding my own thirst for discovery. This blog has naturally evolved into a solo mom travel blog. I share the realities of traveling solo with a child: how to plan visits without overwhelming them, which places are stroller-friendly, how to balance your own curiosity with a little one’s needs.
Through my articles, I hope to reassure parents — especially solo parents — who are hesitant to travel alone with a child: it’s absolutely possible to create wonderful memories, even if everything isn’t perfect. You can visit cities with a baby, go on short hikes together, explore museums, aquariums, parks… enjoy an ice cream in the sun or climb a tower to admire the view side by side. Solo family travel can be full of unexpected joy.
On each trip, I’m amazed at how naturally my son embraces the adventure — learning new words, discovering routines different from ours, seeing countries through fresh eyes...
Travel destinations in France and beyond
You don’t always need to fly or go far to feel like you’ve escaped. Living in Paris, I often plan short getaways by train: a weekend in Normandy, a few days in the Alps, a trip to the Atlantic coast or a hop to the French Riviera or Corsica. This travel blog is packed with in-depth articles to help you plan a trip around France — whether you're into charming villages, historic towns, or nature-filled hikes.
I share itinerary ideas, scenic viewpoints, conveniently located hotels, and must-see attractions for kids and grown-ups alike. France has endless treasures to discover: castles, museums, local markets, mountains, bike or walking trails — there’s something for everyone, in every season and budget. I put a strong focus on what’s practical for families: accessibility, transport, baby-friendly spots, rest options, and more.
And for those who care about traveling responsibly: I usually travel without a car. Most of the places featured on Salut Bye Bye can be explored by train, bus, bike — or simply on foot!
But this blog also takes you abroad: Spain, Italy, Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium… I love city breaks — quick getaways to European cities where you can soak up history, architecture, cuisine, and local vibes in just a few days. These short escapes can be very family-friendly too, with a little planning. I provide complete guides, suggested routes, and personal favorites.
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with a baby, with older kids, or in a group, you’ll find practical advice here to plan a relaxed trip. Every post is written with this belief: travel feels easier when you’ve mapped things out — but it’s also important to leave room for surprises.
And since I have a thing for great views, you’ll often see photos taken from above: towers, rooftops, church steeples, mountains… I love seeing cities from a new angle and sharing that perspective in my stories. Everyone has their guilty pleasures ;)
Visit the must-sees — and go off the beaten path
On this blog, I try to balance two approaches: visiting the classics — the big sights that are often busy but still worth it — and letting curiosity lead me to hidden gems: quiet alleys, local viewpoints, lesser-known museums, small villages, or unexpected stops.
I don’t dismiss popular landmarks. Quite the opposite — I think it’s a mistake to skip them just because they’re “too touristy.” These places are often full of meaning and history. I simply try to experience them in my own way — by choosing a quieter time, a different access point, or taking the time to appreciate them slowly.
That said, I also love seeking out lesser-known places: somewhere you can reach by train, a walking trail, a local market, a quirky activity. It’s a great way to balance your trip, mixing iconic stops with more personal discoveries. And it’s also a way to travel more mindfully and sustainably.
I also aim to approach travel with kindness. There’s no one “right” way to explore the world. I personally enjoy planning every detail and organizing things myself — but I know that’s not for everyone. That’s why you’ll also find recommendations for guided tours or local agencies, whether it’s to visit a city, explore nature, or dive deeper into a historic site. A good guide can offer valuable context, fun facts, and help you explore further on your own.
Traveling solo, with a partner, with kids, with friends, with or without a guide, totally improvised or meticulously planned… every approach has its merits. What matters is finding the kind of travel that feels right for you — one that inspires you to explore more. And if this blog helps you do that, then I’ve accomplished my mission.
An independent, homegrown travel blog
Salut Bye Bye is a personal, independent blog. It’s not run by any agency or brand. Every post you’ll find here is based on my own trips — planned and paid for by me. I share my experiences honestly, whether they were magical or a bit more mixed. My goal is to provide useful info, save you time in your research, and help you plan a trip that truly fits your style.
I don’t sell any services, but some links on this blog are affiliate links. That means if you book an activity, hotel, or buy a guide through those links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It’s what allows me to keep this blog going, create quality content, and avoid intrusive ads or sponsored posts everywhere.
So if my articles help you plan your next vacation, weekend trip, or road trip — feel free to share them or drop me a message. And above all… happy travels!


