Welcome to Salut Bye Bye. My name is Marlène, I'm 40 years old, based in Paris, and I've been running this blog for 12 years. Here, I share my travels, itineraries, favorite spots, and everything I wish I had known before I left.
Whether you travel solo, as a couple, with family, or like me in recent years, solo with a child, you'll find here everything you need to plan your next trip.
My goal is simple: to help you take the leap and travel in the best possible conditions. Planning your first solo trip, managing a week away with your family during school holidays, organizing a city break in Krakow or a weekend in Normandy… it can all feel overwhelming at first. Here, you'll find guidance to choose a destination, build an itinerary that suits you, and get organized without spending months planning.
I write for heritage lovers, parents looking for kid-friendly destinations, and curious travelers who simply want a change of scenery. No unrealistic promises, no recycled lists: just real experiences, itineraries I've actually followed, and advice that's still relevant when you read it.
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years of travel blogging
From solo travel to solo mom travel
For years, I loved traveling alone. I explored Krakow, Lisbon, London, Nuremberg, Prague, as well as many regions in France - sometimes for a weekend, sometimes for longer stays.
I've always built my own itineraries, following what truly interests me: viewpoints, museums, places with history, and beautiful perspectives. That hasn't changed.
Since becoming a mom, the blog has evolved. I've learned how to travel with a young child, how to adjust the pace, anticipate needs, and still enjoy discovering new places.
I now also cover the very practical side of traveling solo with a child: how to structure a day without exhausting them, which destinations are stroller-friendly, and how to balance your own curiosity with your child's rhythm.
If you're hesitating to travel alone with a child: it's possible. It won't be perfect, and it will still be beautiful.
Travel guides designed for real life
You don't need to travel far to get away. From Paris, I often plan short train trips: a weekend in Normandy, a few days in the Alps, time on the Atlantic coast, or in Corsica or the French Riviera.
On this blog, you'll find a wide range of guides to help you plan a trip in France - from small villages to historic cities, hikes, museums, markets and walks, for all seasons and budgets.
I pay particular attention to practicality, especially when traveling with children: transport access, on-site services, and places where you can take breaks.
Most of my trips are done without a car, and many of the destinations I cover can be explored the same way.
I also take you abroad: Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel…
I love city breaks: short trips where you can experience history, architecture and food in just a few days. With the right planning, they work very well with a child too - I cover this in detailed guides with suggested itineraries and personal highlights.
Seeing the must-sees and going beyond them
I try to balance two approaches.
On one side, the must-see attractions - often crowded, but usually for a good reason. I don't avoid them just because they're popular; they're part of what defines a place. I simply try to approach them differently, at the right time or from a different angle.
On the other side, places that take a little more effort to reach: a small town accessible by train, a quiet walk off the main paths, a local market, a lesser-known museum.
That's what gives rhythm and depth to a trip.
I also believe in a non-judgmental approach to travel. There's no single right way to travel. I personally enjoy planning everything myself, but I know others prefer guided tours or organized trips - and I recommend them when they make sense.
An independent, personal travel blog
Salut Bye Bye is a personal and independent travel blog. There's no agency or brand behind it - everything you read here comes from my own trips, paid for myself.
I share both what I loved and what I didn't, with complete honesty.
I don't sell services, but some links are affiliate links. If you book a hotel, an activity or buy a guide through them, I may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you.
This helps me keep the blog running without intrusive ads or endless sponsored content.
If my guides help you plan a trip, feel free to share them - and most importantly: have a great trip.
