My name is Marlene. I'm 39 years old, and I decided to start sharing my travel experiences online 11 years ago. At that time, I had been working for several years in the music business alongside DJ/Producer Martin Solveig, managing his digital strategy. It was an exciting but demanding job! When I left his company to switch sectors, I decided to make the most of my free time by traveling more and starting a travel blog to share my adventures.
As I often traveled solo, it was also a way to share my discoveries with others. Today, Salut Bye Bye has 510 articles, and I continue to update it regularly.
Late Traveller
I've always enjoyed traveling—it seems to be in my Sagittarius nature! However, I didn't travel much until adulthood since my parents weren't avid travelers. On the other hand, we moved frequently, and from my childhood to today, I've relocated over twenty times across various regions in France, from Nantes to the Côte d'Azur, through Lille and the Paris region.
I settled in Ile-de-France (near Paris) in 2006. Unlike many who live there out of professional necessity, I truly appreciate what this region offers: abundant sightseeing year-round, a plethora of cultural events, and convenient access to numerous destinations, perfect for a quick getaway or an extended escape. Of course, Paris has its drawbacks, which can be bothersome like in any major city, but I've learned to embrace and maximize its many advantages.
My journey into global exploration truly began through my initial career in the music industry... all starting with Michael Jackson! In my younger years, I created a substantial professional website dedicated to this artist, which not only allowed me to meet many people but also to work on exciting projects and travel to some of the cities he went to, especially London.
Ironically, I had a strong dislike for England initially due to a particularly bad school trip that left me with dreadful memories and clichés about the country: "It's cold, it rains all the time, the food is bad, and it's just old dusty places to visit." However, in 2011, I found myself falling in love with an Englishman, of English descent, living in England—a true personification of 'Englishness', if there ever were such a thing!
He completely altered my perception of England, showcasing its beauty and rich culture, and encouraged me to explore beyond London. This experience made me realize that, like many countries, the capital is not always reflective of the entire nation's diversity. That's why I frequently discuss the UK on my blog (while not all posts have been translated yet), even though I am no longer in a couple with this guy.
While working with Martin Solveig, I also had opportunities to travel for work—but often lacked the time to thoroughly explore each location. The music industry is thrilling and dream-like when discussed, but it's also immensely demanding. After deciding to leave this sector, I felt a profound need to take time for myself... which is when I truly began to travel much more extensively!
Why "Salut Bye Bye"?
The site owes its name to a half-French, half-English phrase I often have in mind when I'm going somewhere. It's that cheeky little pleasure of escaping monotony, the exciting prospect of discovering new landscapes, meeting new people...
It's leaving... and coming back. It's saying "hello" to new experiences and "bye bye" to the daily routine.
What's my "Type of Trip"?
- I typically explore monuments, cities rich in history, museums, and unique spots. I'm not usually drawn to "beach and relaxation" vacations, although I'm always happy to share tips on how to unwind while traveling ;)
- I often travel solo, so I'll share here why traveling alone can be a great choice! For me, it's a perfect fit since I'm naturally introverted but extremely curious. I aim to maximize each day, and traveling with friends has sometimes left me frustrated, spending time deciding on activities, searching for restaurants, and trying to meet everyone's preferences. Traveling alone offers a different, more focused experience that I prefer when I really want to immerse myself in a new place.
- Since March 2023, I've been the mother of a little boy named James... and I've embraced the "traveling with a baby" lifestyle. Solo travel might be behind me, but I still often venture out in "solo mom with baby" mode!
- On this travel blog, I often provide a few historical snippets about the places I visit, as they can help highlight details you might otherwise miss, or clarify misconceptions. However, I'm not a fan of long lists of dates; I prefer to share memorable anecdotes that enhance your understanding and enjoyment of a site.
However, I'm not a "backpacker" who treks to remote corners of the earth like some travel bloggers. Here, you'll find more "average Jane" journeys because yes, I'm a salaried employee with a limited number of vacation days (like everyone else, I'm waiting to win the lottery, of course), and a limited budget (since I decided to become a homeowner in the Paris region—what was I thinking?)... But also because, I admit, I like to travel with a certain level of comfort! I prefer fewer trips but with better conditions, without having to skimp too much.
I also believe that travel isn't necessarily about going far but about being curious. You can make all sorts of amazing discoveries right in your own backyard, as long as you're willing to open yourself up to new experiences. I don't know about you, but personally, I know plenty of people who live in a big city and have never explored it from a tourist's perspective! By the way, I often write about France and Paris: sure, I live here... but there's plenty to see and do here as well ;)
What Can You Find on Salut Bye Bye?
On Salut Bye Bye, I share tips, photos, and practical information about the places I explore. First, to take you on a virtual journey from your screen if you're looking for ideas for weekend getaways or vacation spots... Then, to assist you in seeing these destinations for yourself. And finally, to save you from having to sift through countless websites to find the information you need.
I personally love the preparation phase of a trip: researching activities at my future destination, planning my route, consulting friends, family, and Google for recommendations on hotels and restaurants, making decisions, and sometimes changing plans...
However, I know this stage can be daunting for many: you have to navigate numerous sites, often outdated, sometimes authored by people who have never even visited the destinations they write about, yet claim otherwise... So my goal is to centralize the essential information you might need to get started, while honestly sharing my experiences.
I write the articles myself (which is why I don’t publish 20 a month!), mostly with my own photos (unless they’re really ugly, which rarely happens but does occur). I try to periodically update them, particularly to verify that the recommended spots are still worth visiting.
Let's Discuss the Photography on Salut Bye Bye
For me, taking photos is an integral part of the joy of traveling. I cherish being able to link a photograph with the emotions, atmosphere, and people from that moment, even years later.
A few years back, my photography skills were lacking: shots were blurry, poorly framed, and dull. At the time, I thought I was capturing the essence of a landscape in all its glory, only to be disappointed when I reviewed the pictures at home :) But with time, I’ve improved significantly.
Initially, I used a Canon EOS 600D... then in 2017, I upgraded to a superior DSLR, the Canon 6D Mark II. I primarily use it with a 24-105mm lens, though I also have a Sigma 100-400mm lens, especially for shots with expansive views of a city.
Often, I opt to use my smartphone for its convenience and portability, which is especially practical since I now travel with a baby, stroller, and diaper bag.
Do I Earn Money With This Blog?
Yes, and I believe it's important for you to understand how!
If you're not familiar with digital marketing, you might not know that it is possible to earn money with a website, such as by displaying ads and promoting certain products/services. This is common among media outlets and influencers.
For my part, I've chosen to monetize this site.
Why do I do this? To be completely transparent, it's because I wanted toreceive some financial compensation for all the unpaid work I've put into Salut Bye Bye :) While it's not my main job, it remains a hobby—a very time-consuming one. Writing articles, editing and retouching photos, replying to emails and comments, and managing my social media all take a significant amount of time.
Originally, I could have kept my travel experiences private, sharing tips only with friends and family, avoiding all the hassle. However, I chose to share them online without charging readers anything... and as the blog grew, seeking some form of compensation for my efforts seemed natural.
But I've approached this carefully.
I display some advertising and, more importantly, I include affiliate links in some of my articles (you'll find a note about this at the bottom of each post). How does it work? I've partnered with a few sites I personally use and trust (such as Amazon, Get Your Guide, Direct Ferries, and Booking.com). When you make a purchase through these links on my blog, I earn a small commission.
You don't pay anything extra. These companies view me as a "business contributor," rewarding me for directing you their way—whether it’s to book a hotel, an activity, or to purchase a travel accessory—and in return, they give me a small percentage of the sale.
For example, if you spend $110 (approximately £90 or €100) on Booking for a hotel night via Salut Bye Bye, Booking might receive a 10 to 25% commission from the hotel owner (depending on their agreement)... and then pay me about 25% of this commission, which would be between $2.75 and $6.87 (about £2.24 to £5.60 or €2.5 to €6.25).
I'm very keen to maintain ethical monetization practices. For this reason:
- I only offer affiliate links to sites I personally use and trust, ensuring they have reliable customer service in case of issues.
- I choose these platforms because they offer a wide range of options, allowing you to see my recommendations but also find alternatives that might better suit your needs, budget, and priorities.
- These sites provide detailed information on their products/services, including customer reviews, which helps you make informed decisions rather than purchasing a product or service just because I recommended it.
- When I recommend a hotel or activity, it’s based on my personal experience or that of close contacts. If I learn that the quality of a service has declined, I consider this in my updates.
As I have a full-time job alongside this blog, I don’t rely on it for my end-of-month finances, which gives me thefreedom to recommend things I genuinely like, not just those that might earn me money.
I hope this article helps you understand a bit more about the blog and about me!
