In case you find yourself cruising the beaten path and need some recommendations on what to do, where to stay, what to eat and some fun and inexpensive activities, put down your Lonely Planet and check out a few of our favorites.

San Francisco, CA

Rent bikes and head over the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito. Rent kayaks in Sausalito and cruise the bay.

Vancouver, BC

Rent bikes and pedal through the most bike-able city in North America. Check out the free suspension bridge in Lynn Canyon Valley rain forest just outside of town.  www.lynncanyon.ca

Japan

Frequent keitan (conveyor belt) sushi restaurants as a relatively inexpensive way to dine out.

Head to the enchanting city of Nara and spend the day visiting the former capital city and feeding the overly friendly white tail deer.

South Korea

Everything! But if you can’t do that then …

Head to the demilitarized zone and visit the Joint Security Area to peer down on North Korea. http://www.tourdmz.com

Overnight temple stay in Golgusa. Live like a monk for a day http://www.sunmudo.net. Spend the night at the Sugar Hotel in Gyeongju and enjoy the design of an eclectic love hotel and breakfast in bed.

Free bicycle rental in Busan along the southern coastline.

Eat everything and anything. Even the dining options at Seoul (Incheon) airport won’t disappoint.

Sydney, Australia

Pick up a $30 ticket to a play at the world famous Sydney Opera House. Sorry old timers, 30 years old and under only.  www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Check out Bondi beach and walk the several kilometer coastline path from beach to beach.

South Island, New Zealand

Pick up a bike and go wine tasting in Blenheim and Renwick.

Visit the hard to find Oahu stream (near Kaikora) where you can see baby seals in their native habitat.

Rent a boat or kayak the gorgeous Marlborough Sound.

Hike Abel Tasman national park.

Eat fish and chips in Christchurch and immediately regret not having any vegetables for dinner.

Singapore

Check out the free Gardens by the Bay. An eclectic mix of a natural and man-made habitat.  www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Don’t miss Wednesday ladies night at Ku de Ta at the Marina Bay Sands rooftop hotel and bar and enjoy a free drink on the house ($20 beers!).  www.kudeta.com.sg

Fill up on some hawker grub at the Maxwell Food Center near Chinatown.

Eat the deliciously sweet Kaya toast while dipping in a soft boiled egg for breakfast every day. Add a white coffee for a well-balanced meal.

Malaysia

Chow down on some incredibly good and cheap dosas in Little India.

Recover from the heat at a medicinal tea stall in Georgetown, Penang.

Fresh carrot juice from a bag in Penang. Delicious.

Southern Thailand

Rent kayaks on Tonsai beach (for half the price of Railey) and view the incredible limestone cliffs.

Rock climb the cliffs at Railey beach. Great for all levels.

Drink fruit shakes and eat fruit and nutella pancakes every day all over Southern Thailand.

Experience Koh Tao. Beaches …

Stay at Baan Talay bungalows in Koh Tao and enjoy the remarkable views of Au Leuk Bay. Head below sea level with an inexpensive dive course with Adnan at New Heaven.  (www.newheavendiveschool.com)

Northern Thailand

Chiang Rai: Stay at Baan Baramee Guesthouse, a newly built gueshouse with modern, clean rooms, western bathroom, and  balconies. About $20/night  http://www.baanbaramee.com/aboutus.php

Head west out of the guesthouse and a few hundred meters down the street is a small, locally run outdoor restaurant serving delicious meals about $1 USD.

To escape the city, head to Bamboo Nest for some rustic bungalow accommodations located 25 KM outside of town near the Lahu village.

Chiang Mai: Eat Khay Sauw (or Khow Soy – an incredibly tasty noodle only found in Northern Thailand, Burma, and Northern Laos), served by the women in front of the Red Lion restaurant near the Night Bazaar.

Enjoy $4-$5 massages outside the walls of the old city.

Cambodia

Enjoy speaking with the locals about moving forward post Khmer Rouge. Stay at Secrets Pavilion Boutique Hotel in Siem Reap and experience firsthand genuine Cambodian service.  http://www.secretspavilion.com/

Eat Fried pumpkin at Khmer Kitchen in Siem Reap (either location will do).  www.khmerkitchens.com

Visit the Killing Fields outside of Phnom Penh to get a true understanding of the brutality of Pol Pot’s regime. Free audio guide.

Attend the Plae Pakaa at the National Museum in Phnom Penh and get a true understanding of traditional Cambodian dance.  10% coupon located in the city guide book. www.cambodianlivingarts.com

Vietnam

Saigon: Work out with the locals at the “park” in District 1.

Stay at Little Saigon Boutique Hotel and enjoy modern room and a robust breakfast buffet to fuel your day.  www.littlesaigon.com.vt

Drink copious amounts of Vietnamese iced coffee. But please, let the ice melt a bit before diving in.

Take advantage of the free guided tour of Independence Palace, former home of the South Vietnamese government during the war.

Hop on the back of a motorbike and cruise the chaotic streets of Saigon with Tiger Tours. www.tigertours.com

Dalat: Grab a motorbike for the day and escape the heat of this former French vacation town in the mountains.

Eat some tasty vegetarian cuisine for less than the cost of a power ball ticket at Ann Luc II.

Stay at Fortune De La Loi Hotel and enjoy clean, spacious rooms with a Vietnamese buffet breakfast.  www.dailoihotel.com

Nha Trang: Discover Bahn Mi Opla, a breakfast staple derived from a light and crunchy baguette with eggs, veggies and chili sauce.

Stay at Carpe DM Hotel and enjoy what must be the best value accommodation in the city. Natural light filled rooms with balconies and a quiet but central location for about $19 USD/night.  www.carpedmhotel.com

Hoi An: Fill your suitcases with inexpensive, custom tailored clothing and shoes from just about anywhere in town.

Chow down on local specialties Cau Loc and Mee Quang at the local market or by street stall.

Enjoy .20 cent draft beers at Café 43.

Hanoi: Take a free walking tour with university students hosted by Hanoi Kids www.hanoikids.org

Walk or run the Hoan Kiem Lake

Dine on Bun Cha for lunch at 1 Hang Manh. You won’t have room for dinner.

Stay at Sunshine Suites in the Old Quarter. www.sunshinesuites.com.vn

Laos

Vang Vieng: Sip on some chocolaty velvet Lao coffee and your day may never be the same.

Get up early to avoid the crowds and take a guided kayak ride down the river.

Pick up a Hobo map and take a motorbike into the hills.

Luang Prabang: Take a stroll along the river and admire the beautifully preserved French architecture.

Stay at the Prakgham Lodge on the west side of town.

Eat at the food stall next to Sachrin Guest House for some tasty, low cost local food, and head across the street to the convenience store for some homemade yogurt for dessert.

Nong Kiau: Stroll the sleepy town on foot or bike, but make sure you make your way to the multi level cave 3 km outside of town and see where the locals hid out during US bombing attacks.

Grab dinner at Deen’s Indian Restaurant in town, but please don’t be rushed as it could take a few hours for your food to be served, but well worth the wait in taste.

Luang Namtha: Not much to do here outside of your package trek tour or mototbike rental, but Zuela Guest House is a lovely retreat located 100 meters off the main street in a garden setting. However, the town is a good stopover on your way to the Thai border at Huay Xai. www.zuela–guesthouse.com

India

Jaipur: Stay at Anuraag Villa and enjoy a peacock filled peaceful garden setting and clean and large hotel rooms.  www.anuraagvilla.com

Pushkar: Eat at Seventh Heaven on the rooftop and enjoy views and peace and quiet from the chaotic streets.  www.inn-seventh-heaven.com

Shimla: Stay at Hotel Kapil and treat yourself to room service each morning.  Eat and drink at the Indian Coffee House, good coffee, cheap eats and an authentic atmosphere.  www.hotelkapilshimla.com

Mussoorie: Eat at the Lovely Omelette where you can start or end the day with a whipped two egg omelette cooked over two pieces of toast with onions and chilies. Top with some chili/ketchup sauce.

Varanasi: Eat (better yet slurp) back the most delicious lassi in India at The Blue Lassi. Try banana or apple, but the plain might just be the best.

Dubai

Stay at Premier Inn Dubai Investment Park. At the east end of town and a cheap taxi or free hotel shuttle ride from the Metro, this immaculately clean and very reasonably priced hotel offers won’t break the bank in this otherwise pricey middle eastern hot spot.  www.global.premierinn.com

Turkey

Istanbul: Stay at Taxim Point near Taksim Square. This bright and clean guesthouse offers an unbeatable location, a traditional Turkish breakfast and an unbeatable rate for this hip neighborhood http://www.booking.com

Take the road less traveled by tourists.  Walk along the Bosphorus from Ortakoy to Arnavutkoy and enjoy parks, locals fishing and adorable neighborhoods.

Cappadocia (Goreme): Take a trip of a lifetime with Cappadocia Voyager Balloons high above the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon. www.voyagerballoons.com/

Antalya: Bacchus Boutique Otel offers upgraded double and triple rooms for a very reasonable rate.  The rooftop terrace with amazing views of the Mediterranean isn’t so bad either.  Incredible customer service and area info provided by Adam at the front desk.  www.booking.com

Cirali: Hike to Chimera Mtn (free), bring marshmallows and hot dogs to grill over the eternal flames.

Fethiye: Rent a motorscooter for about 25TL/day and ride around the coastline.

Bulgaria

Plovdiv and Sofia: When in Plovdiv or Sofia participate in the incredibly educational and entertaining FREE walking tour around the cities.  The Plovdiv tour is everyday at 2pm and Sofia tour seven days a week at 11am and 6pm.  www.freesofiatour.com and http://www.freeplovdivtour.com

Sofia:  Hire a shuttle or tour through Traventuria Tours to take a day trip to the stunning Rila Monastery.  www.traventuria.bg

Macedonia

Ohrid: Stay at Accommodation Jovan. Bright, clean apartments located just outside of old town with kitchenette and great balconies.

Croatia

Split: Eat at Buffett Fife on Trumbićeva Obala. Dine on authentic Croatian cuisine for a very reasonable price in a true locals joint.

Plitvice Lakes: Hike all day all around the stunning 16 lakes and limestone mountains in this UNESCO World Heritage wonder.

Bosnia 

Saraejvo: Hike up to the 1984 Olympic Bobsled track that was subsequently used as a hideout for the Serbian military during the Bosnian War.

Serbia

Belgrade: Eat & drink at Tezga, a kavarna with a great appetizer plate and good vibe. Stay at an AirBnB apartment modern, immaculate and well located

Hungary

Budapest: Eat at Bors Gastrobar in the Jewish Quarter and enjoy some incredibly thoughtful and inventive soups and sandwiches (sweet potato soup and duck liver sandwich anyone?)

Take the Culinary Tour with Taste Hungary and be guided around the city to local restaurants and boutique shops while tasting delicious food as go!

Czech Republic

Prague: Rent a Segway and tour the old town and castle district with Prague Segway Tours.

Stay at Hotel Ostruvek. Immaculate rooms with a great breakfast buffet. Located just south of the city in a great neighborhood with a broad selection of local restaurants and pubs. A quick 15 minute tram ride (or 40 minute walk to old town) is worth the time.

Drink at Letna Beer Garden for a local feel of what drinking a cold beer in a park should be like.

Slovenia

Ljubljana: Splurge on a room at Hotel Cubo and enjoy celebrity treatment by the best staff in Slovenia.

Eat at Sokol and enjoy authentic Slovenian dishes and cheap wine.

Visit Tivoli Park for an escape from the “big city” and consider trail running through this incredible urban green space.

Austria

Vienna: Attend a tour of the Spanish Riding School. Even if horses aren’t your thing, you’ll be intrigued by the beauty of these intricately trained animals and the grounds in which they perform.

Italy

Venice: Take a free walking tour with Venice Free Tour to discover little known gems of the city.

Milan: Enjoy MIlan’s lax bike laws and cruise around with Bike & The City for an incredibly insightful tour of this overlooked Italian metropolis.

Genoa: Eat at Trattoria della Darsena for some of the best Trofie Pesto you’ll find anywhere.

Florence: Take a delicious food tour with Taste Florence and expand your culinary education into the world of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Italian wines.

Nochelle (Positano): Stay at Villa Sofia on the cliffs of Amalfi overlooking the sea and far away from the crowds below.

Rome: Eat the best pizza in the city (maybe the world) at La Boccaccia in the Trastevere neighborhood. Try the mushroom and sausage.

Germany

Berlin: Hop on bike and cruise the bike-friendly Berlin streets with Fat Tire Bike Tours. They’ve been doing this for years and offer an incredible All-in-One City Tour. Even better, keep the bikes for the afternoon (it’s free) or for another day.

If walking is more your style, spend 4 hours perusing the city center with the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate staff at Original Berlin Walks.

Poland

Wroclaw: Sign up for a walking tour with Mateusz from What’s Up Wroclaw and pick his unmatched local knowledge of this beautiful and historic city.

Krakow: Eat at Polakowski. A pint sized place with incredible zurek (sour soup), borsch and a multitude of local dishes for very affordable prices.

Ukraine

Lviv & Kiev: Eat at Puzata Hata. Cafeteria style restaurant serving plentiful and absurdly inexpensive Ukrainian dishes. The BEST place to go when those hunger pangs strike.

Latvia

Riga: See the other side of Riga by bike with Riga Bike Tours. These guys will take you away from the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of the city center to see how real Latvian’s live.

Russia

St. Petersburg: Visit the Hermitage Museum. This former Winter Palace of the Russian monarchy will not disappoint.

Denmark

Copenhagen: Visit Christiana. One of Europe’s most eclectic neighborhoods (not to mention valuable location) can’t survive forever. See it before it’s too late.

The Netherlands

Amsterdam: Rent a bike and cruise the streets and canals till your butt hurts. Amstel Station has bikes for rent for only 6.50 Euro/day.