1 There are some museums you can get lost in for days, and the Royal Ontario Museum (Bloor Street West and Avenue Road; rom.on.ca) is one of them. Since you’re short on time, settle for a quick spin through the dinosaur galleries or the Ming Tomb in the Gallery of Chinese Architecture. (0:40)

2 Imelda Marcos had nothing on the Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. W.; batashoemuseum.ca), which has more than 10,000 pairs of footwear, some of which are over 4,500 years old. (Sorry, they’re not for sale.) (1:10)

3 Unlike the shoe museum, you can shop at Kensington Market (kensington-market.ca), an indoor- outdoor repository of handmade crafts and foods from around the world. (2:00)

4 Get a taste of Toronto’s impressive Chinatown at Lai Wah Heen (108 Chestnut St.; laiwahheen.com), a high-end dim sum house. Don’t miss the steamed wagyu dumplings or the crystal purse with shredded duck. (2:40)

5 The easiest way to see the whole city? Ride to the top of the CN Tower (301 Front St. W.; cntower.ca), the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. If you’re feeling bold, lie down on the glass floor of the observation deck—1,122 feet up. (3:20)

6 Now go calm your nerves with a cold one. Tour Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner Blvd.; steamwhistle.ca) and sample the strong pilsner, which is available only in Canada. (3:50)

7 When you’re in Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame (30 Yonge St.; hhof.com) is a mandatory stop. Take a gander at the Stanley Cup and go out onto the ice for a quick shoot-out. (4:30)

8 Bid a sweet farewell to this city with a visit to SOMA Chocolatemaker (55 Mill St.; somachocolate.com), a confectioner housed in a former distillery where you can watch the goodies being made. Pick up a fleur de sel caramel and a Douglas fir truffle for the road. (5:00)

1 Begin at the beginning by learning the city’s history at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th St. SW; nhccnm.org). Here you can admire distinctive Spanish Colonial furniture dating back to the 1700s. (0:30)

2 Fuel up at The Artichoke Café (424 Central Ave. SE; artichokecafe.com) in EDo (East Downtown). Go for the namesake steamed artichoke—you won’t regret it. Take your time dipping each leaf into raspberry vinaigrette, lemon aioli or clarified butter, because the people-watching is as good as the food. (1:10)

3 On Nob Hill, you can still get your kicks on what’s left of the legendary Route 66, which is mostly refurbished neon and chic kitsch. Duck into Kelly’s Brew Pub (3222 Central Ave. SE; kellysbrewpub.com), a midcentury Ford dealership, for a pint of Kelly’s Blonde Ale. (2:00)

4 Load up on gifts and souvenirs at Skip Maisel’s (510 Central Ave. SW; skip-maisels.com). You’ll find reasonably priced authentic Native American jewelry at this 80-year-old institution. (2:45)

5 See Native American dancing and beautiful pots by the legendary Maria Martinez at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St. NW; indianpueblo.org). There are also 19 operational pueblos, but most suggest advance reservations. (Guess you’ll just have to come back.) (3:15)

6 Soak up more than 300 years of history in Old Town (albuquerqueoldtown.com), the town’s center since it was founded in 1706. Wander the narrow streets that run between adobe buildings and visit the San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793. (4:00)

7 Stop for a quick sniff, swirl and sip at Casa Rondeña Winery (733 Chavez Rd. NW; casarondena.com). The signature Cabernet Sauvignon is worth a quaff. (4:20)

8 Your last stop is the Sandia Peak Tramway (10 Tramway Loop NE; sandiapeak.com), the longest tram in North America. Take it 2.7 miles to the top. On a clear day—most days are clear—you can see all of Albuquerque and most of New Mexico. (5:00)

1 Voted best breakfast in North Lake Tahoe for dishes like crab cake eggs benedict and a french toast tower made out of cinnamon rolls, The Log Cabin Caffe (8692 North Lake Blvd., King’s Beach, California; logcabinbreakfast.com) also serves a mean lunch. Fill up—you’ll need the energy. (0:30)

2 Work off that meal with a hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail (tahoerimtrail.org). The 1.2-mile Interpretive Loop at Tahoe Meadows lets you scope out the exceptional wildflowers. (1:40)

3 Cool down with a beer at Moody’s Bistro and Lounge (10007 Bridge St., Truckee, California; moodysbistro. com), and stay for the live music. If you’re lucky you might see Paul McCartney, who pops in once in a while for an impromptu jam. (2:30)

4 Make your way to downtown Reno to snap a photo at the Reno Arch (Virginia Street and Commercial Row, Reno, Nevada). Originally built for a 1927 exposition and moved around a few times since, the arch is your official welcome to “The Biggest Little City in the World.” (3:10)

5 You can’t leave Reno without gambling; after all, it is the birthplace of Harrah’s Entertainment. So while you’re downtown, stop at the original Harrah’s Reno Hotel and Casino (219 N. Center St., Reno; harrahsreno.com) and do battle with the one-armed bandits. (3:45)

6 Grab a caffeine fix at local favorite Emerald City Cafe (3594 W. Plumb Ln., Reno; emeraldcitycafe.com). Lucky for you, it’s Mocha Monday, when the strong, freshly roasted mochas are half price. (4:00)

7 Make a quick stop at the Nevada Museum of Art (160 W. Liberty St., Reno; nevadaart.org), and spend your time viewing the Sierra Nevada/Great Basin collection, which focuses on art from the Reno/Tahoe region. (4:25)

8 Buy some souvenirs at Riverwalk (Between Arlington Avenue and Lake Street, Reno; renoriver.org), where you’ll find unique boutiques filled with home furnishings, art and fashion along the Truckee River. It isn’t a successful trip without a few purchases by which to remember it. (5:00)

1 Get familiar with the Scandinavian sensibility by swinging through the Danish Design Center (HC Andersens Blvd. 27; www.en.ddc.dk), where you’ll learn about the evolution of the ubiquitous contemporary style and shop the center’s supersleek “Travel Light” line. (0:30)

2 Do as the Danes do and practice pedal power. Even in winter, Copenhagen is very bicycle-friendly. Baisikeli (Turesensgade 10; www.baisikeli.dk) rents out second-hand cycles and helps finance bike donations in Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Ghana. (1:00)

3 Hop on your bike and go back in time at Rosenborg Castle (www.dkks.dk/English), home of the crown jewels. King Christian IV spent almost his entire life at the castle; you’ll spend about 45 minutes. (2:00)

4 Cruise south to the Rundetaarn (Købmagergade 52A; www.rundetaarn.dk), or Round Tower, and walk up a 685-foot spiral ramp to the top of Europe’s oldest functioning observatory, built in 1642. Peek through the powerful telescope and channel your inner Ole Christensen Rømer. (2:30)

5 You’ve worked up an appetite riding around, so grab a “smushi”—a Japanese take on the traditional open-face Danish sandwich, the smørrebrød—at The Royal Café (Amagertorv 6; www.theroyalcafe.dk). The café is on Strøget, the longest pedestrian shopping street in the world, so after you eat, peer into the windows at Magasin du Nord, Gucci and Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory. (3:15)

6 Park the bike and hop into a heated, glass-covered boat. DFDS Canal Tours (www.canaltours.com/dct/en) depart from Gammel Strand and pass the Opera House, the Royal Danish Playhouse and the iconic Little Mermaid statue (yes, that Little Mermaid). (4:15)

7 You have just enough time to return the bike before walking to the hotel district of Vesterbro. Duck down a few steps into Mikkeller Bar (Viktoriagade 8BC; www.mikkeller.dk), a two-year winner of Danish brewery of the year. Treat yourself to one of its creations on tap. You’ve earned it. (5:00)

1 Head to Circular Quay (Alfred Street) to get your obligatory tourist photo of the Harbour Bridge. Walk out just far enough to get a good breath of sea air and a view of this majestic city, then turn back—time’s a-wastin’. (0:25)

2 Stroll to Sydney proper through Australia’s oldest neighborhood, The Rocks. Once home to the convicts who built the city, The Rocks is a warren of pubs, cafés and markets. Grab a beer at Fortune of War (137 George St.; www.fortuneofwar.com.au), which claims to be the city’s oldest pub. (1:10)

3 It wouldn’t be Sydney without a brush with nature. Hoof it to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Mrs. Macquaries Rd.; www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au) to see thousands of endangered flying-fox—the largest bats in the world. (1:40)

4 Your next stop, the Sydney Opera House (Macquarie St.; www.sydneyoperahouse.com), is a bit more refined. There isn’t enough time to hear the fat lady sing, but you can sip a quick glass of fine local wine at one of the bars inside. (2:25)

5 Circle back to Circular Quay and hop a ferry to Darling Harbour (www.darlingharbour.com), Sydney’s shopping mecca. Check out the alfresco exhibits at the Australian National Maritime Museum, like the replica of the ship sailed by James Cook, the British explorer who mapped the continent. (3:25)

6 Trek down to the nearby Chinese Garden of Friendship for a peaceful cup of tea. Feel the Zen as you contemplate the lotus flowers and waterfalls. (3:55)

7 Make a dash to Paddy’s Market (Thomas St.; www.paddysmarkets.com.au) just up the street to grab some souvenirs. Boomerangs and stuffed koala bears abound, as do vendor stalls peddling Aboriginal art. (4:25)

8 The city’s tastiest food is steps away in Sydney’s lively, diverse Chinatown. Snap up a delicious Cookies Cream Puff from Barby’s Puff, Donuts n Bakery (396 Sussex St.); it’s the perfect sweet end to your savory time in Sydney. (5:00)

1 Start with Shanghai’s succulent signature pork and crab soup dumplings, xiaolong bao, at Din Tai Fung (South Block, Unit 11, House 6, Ln. 123 Xingye Rd.; www.dintaifung.com.tw). Use the tried- and-true technique: Nibble a small hole in the dumpling and suck out the broth before biting into it-but beware, it’s hot! (0:30)

2 Stroll into Xintiandi (www.xintiandi.com), where restored shikumen (stone gate) homes dating back to the 1860s now house chic restaurants and shops. Forget about the schlocky souvenirs, and buy something functional, like a contemporary teapot at Zen Lifestore or a handbag made from colorful sandbag cloth at Oshadai. (1:30)

3 Before leaving Xintiandi, peek into the Shikumen Open House Museum (25, Ln. 181, Taicang Rd.) to see a re-creation of what these cute houses looked like in the 1920s, complete with vintage sewing machines and magazines with Hollywood stars on the covers. (2:00)

4 For slightly more valuable (and older) Chinese artifacts, head over to People’s Square and the Shanghai Museum (201 Renmin Ave.; www.shanghaimuseum.net)-it’s the building that looks like a giant cooking pot. Inside, feel younger than ever as you browse the 120,000 antiquities. (3:00)

5 Return to the present day and rest your eyes on something pink at the mind-boggling six- floor extravaganza that is Barbie Shanghai (550 Central Huaihai Rd.; www.barbieshanghai.com), the world’s only store devoted entirely to the iconic doll. (3:20)

6 Stay with the kitschy theme and head to Dongtai Road (just off Xizang Rd.), a treasure trove of dinner plates, ceramic statues and furniture sets all branded with the faces of Chairman and Madam Mao, as well as other authentic Red paraphernalia. (3:45)

7 Go upscale on the city’s iconic riverfront promenade, The Bund. Peek inside the grand Victorian buildings to see impressive Art Deco interiors with slick modern updates. (4:15)

8 Before you head out, position yourself at the window of Vue Bar at Hyatt on the Bund (199 Huang Pu Rd.; www.shanghai.bund.hyatt.com). From here, drink in the complete panorama of this wonderful and bizarre city. When the colored spotlights come on at night, they’ll take your breath away. (5:00)

1 Get a taste of the Old South at the Levine Museum of the New South (200 E. Seventh St.; www.museumofthenewsouth.org). You can play checkers on an old mill house porch or sit at a recreation of a Civil Rights–era lunch counter in the “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” exhibit. (0:45)

2 Snap back to modern life with a quick stroll through the three levels of the brand new Urban Garden (www.urbangardenat1bac.com) atrium in Bank of America’s corporate headquarters—the tallest building in the Carolinas—where you can take some time to smell the money—er, roses. (1:00)

3 Cross the skybridge to Founder’s Hall (www.foundershall.com), a mall connected to the Bank of America Corporate Center. As you pick up new reading material at The BookMark and last-minute gifts from Blis, watch out for fast-walking bankers. (1:30)

4 Speaking of fast-moving, head to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (400 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.; www.nascarhall.com), a three-story shrine to stock car racing. Step inside the Racing Simulator and put the pedal to the metal. Then, if your nerves are still intact, check out the 64-foot projection screen in the High Octane Theatre. (2:30)

5 Shifting gears, cross whimsical minipark The Green to reach the brand-new Mint Museum Uptown (500 S. Tryon St.; www.mintmuseum.org). Check out classic American paintings, such as John Singleton Copley’s St. Cecilia: A Portrait, and the impressive collection of craft and design items. (3:20)

6 Continue your museum tour at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (420 S. Tryon St.; www.bechtler.org). You’re not going inside, just stopping to admire the iconic “Firebird” sculpture out front. It’s almost 18 feet tall and covered in mirrors, making for a dazzling sight. (3:30)

7 Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a heaping helping of soul food, so dash over to The King’s Kitchen (129 W. Trade St.; www.kingskitchen.org). We recommend Aunt Beaut’s skillet-fried chicken. It’s divine. (4:30)

8 For a peek at trendy Charlotte, take a short cab ride to the relaxed and funky Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. Grab a smooth, dark Gaelic Ale crafted in nearby Asheville at the Thomas Street Tavern (1218 Thomas St.), a former post office with an eclectic clientele, and raise a glass to the Queen City. (5:00)

1 First stop: coffee. Strong, Cuban coffee in a demitasse cup from Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW Eighth St.), a landmark eatery on Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana. When you get to South Beach—SoBe for short—a vibrant strip of sand where retirement community meets party town, you’ll be glad for the boost. (0:20)

2 Driving to the beach, enjoy the view on Julia Tuttle Causeway, a four-mile bridge over Biscayne Bay. If it’s sunny—and it’s always sunny—stop at Wells Fargo (750 Arthur Godfrey Rd.) to discover one of the city’s best-kept secrets: dozens of enormous iguanas lying in the parking lot. (1:00)

3 Once on the South Beach strip, you’re feeling a bit Hollywood, so you stop by Love Hate Tattoo Studio (1360 Washington Ave.; www.lovehatetatoos.com)—the home of TLC’s Miami Ink. You’re just browsing, of course; the dragon for your shoulder will have to wait for another day. (1:40)

4 For something you can take with you, head to The Webster Miami (1220 Collins Ave.; www.thewebstermiami.com), a three-story boutique housed in a stellar example of South Beach’s famous Art Deco architecture. It features the best labels—women’s and men’s—along with accessories and photography exhibitions. (2:15)

5 Stick with the Deco theme as you head to The Wolfsonian-FIU (1001 Washington Ave.; www.wolfsonian.org). This very SoBe museum showcases a permanent collection of industrial art, political propaganda and architectural models created from 1885 to 1945. (3:15)

6 Given the climate, an occasional beverage is key. Good thing Larios on the Beach (820 Ocean Dr.; www.bongoscubancafe.com) is only a couple of blocks away. Try one of their mojitos; they were voted the best in town by Miami Herald readers. (4:10)

7 Before returning to the airport, find your way to Smith & Wollensky (1 Washington Ave.; www.smithandwollensky.com) in the spectacular South Pointe Park, which recently underwent a $22 million renovation. You’ll have a front-row seat to watch cruise ships come in and out of the port, the perfect complement to a shellfish bouquet. (5:00)

1 Start your ramble through this Twin City with a look at the impressive contemporary architecture of the Guthrie Theater (818 S 2nd St.; www.guthrietheater.org). Then head to the end of the Endless Bridge (don’t worry, it will make sense when you’re there), one of the world’s longest occupied cantilevers, and drink in the mighty Mississippi below. (0:30)

2 Now that you’ve seen Minneapolis’ most cutting-edge structure, take in its most historic with a walk down the Stone Arch Bridge (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us). Let the spray from St. Anthony Falls, known as the birthplace of Minneapolis, help you beat that hot August sun. (0:50)

3 Time to sample something tasty from Minneapolis’ burgeoning local food movement. Pop into Spoonriver (750 S 2nd St.; www.spoonriver.com), the newest eatery from sustainable-food pioneer Brenda Langton, and sit on the patio eating a Brenda Burger as you wonder when saving the earth became so delicious. (1:50)

4 Hop aboard a hybrid bus and scoot down Nicollet Mall, the retail heart of Minneapolis. Between 7th and 8th streets, look for the statue of TV’s Mary Tyler Moore. Toss your hat in the air as you realize that, yes, “you’re going to make it after all.” (2:15)

5 The Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Ave.; www.walkerart.org) features all things modern, inside and out. Weather permitting, choose out, and walk the Sculpture Garden, with its iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry and Frank Gehry’s Standing Glass Fish. (2:45)

6 Head Uptown (www.ouruptown.com) by following Hennepin Avenue and the flow of inked and pierced twentysomethings. There’s plenty of shopping and eating to suit all tastes here, including the encyclopedic Via’s Vintage, addictive Savoy Pizza and heavenly Isle’s Bun & Coffee. (3:45)

7 Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and you can see at least one by taking 28th Street to the Lake of the Isles. Ringed by impressive homes, circumnavigated by joggers, paddled by canoers and figure-eighted by skaters, the lake amply demonstrates why Minneapolis is among the fittest cities in the nation. (4:10)

8 Take a cab down Lake Street to the Town Talk Diner (2707½ E Lake St.; www.towntalkdiner.com) for a quick pick-me-up before heading on your way. Choose a wackily named drink such as the Hair of the Lion or the Bacon Manhattan, then walk a block to the light rail and start your journey home. (5:00)

1 Tighten your laces and speed-walk through the Museum of Anthropology (6393 NW Marine Dr.; www.moa.ubc.ca), which showcases thousands of artworks, tools and other objects created by the indigenous First Nations peoples. On your way out, pause to admire the towering First Nations totem poles. Just remember, no climbing. ( 0:30 )

2 Hail a taxi and have the driver take you along the waterfront to Granville Island (www.granvilleisland.com), a former industrial wasteland that’s home to a busy market and pedestrian-only alleys full of artisan shops. Toss a loonie (that’s a Canadian one-dollar coin) to one of the island’s many buskers and get ready to shop. ( 1:15 )

3 Stop first at the popular Public Market (www.granvilleisland.com/public-market) and poke through its dizzying selection of tchotchkes and gourmet munchies. Then ditch the crowd for Railspur Alley and peruse the handcrafted wares at Funk Shui Atelier and Hartman Leather. Grab a souvenir for friends back home and a couple more for yourself. ( 2:00 )

4 There’s no better way to take in Vancouver’s incongruous skyline of glass towers and jagged mountains than from the water. And there’s no easier way to do it than by Aquabus (www.theaquabus.com). Hop aboard one of the colorful vessels and cross the truly gorgeous False Creek. Keep your finger on the shutter; this is prime picture territory. ( 2:30 )

5 Once in Yaletown, scurry over to Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar (1095 Hamilton St.; www.bluewatercafe.net) and nibble on expertly cut sashimi. The fish are farmed using sustainable practices, a point of pride in Vancouver, one of the world’s greenest cities. ( 3:45 )

6 Walk a few doors down to the Yaletown Brewing Company (1116 Hamilton St.; www.markjamesgroup.com), knock back a pint of Mainland lager and find out why beer is Canada’s most popular boozy beverage. Or, if you prefer, run around the corner for an indulgence of a different sort at Chocoatl chocolatiers. ( 4:00 )

7 Catch another taxi to Peking Lounge (83 E Pender St.; www.pekinglounge.com), a little antiques shop in Chinatown stocked with traditional wooden Chinese baskets, lacquer trays, handcarved Buddha statues and curios such as a “silk wine jacket,” which is (yep) a silk jacket for wine bottles. ( 4:30 )

8 Finally, book on over to the nearby historic district Gastown (www.gastown.org), where a steam clock—one of a handful in the world that still work—announces the quarter hour with a whistle and chime. Time to head home. ( 5:00 )

1 Begin with a quick dash through the Melbourne Zoo (Elliot Ave.; www.zoo.org.au/melbournezoo), smack in the middle of the spectacular Royal Park. Catch a glimpse of some native Australian marsupials, then make like a kangaroo and hop away. ( 0:45 )

2 Stop at The Queen Victoria Market (Queen St. at Victoria St.; www.qvm.com.au), the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, to pick up a cork hat and sample the famous jam doughnuts at the American Doughnut Kitchen, a mobile carb factory that’s been churning out piping-hot jam-filled pastries for more than 50 years. ( 1:05 )

3 Wipe your mouth and walk two blocks to La Trobe Street to catch the historic City Circle Tram. (There’s one every 12 minutes, and the ride is free.) Admire the 19th century architecture as you rattle past the handsome Princess Theatre, Parliament House and Old Treasury Building, three of the grandest structures in the land down under. ( 1:35 )

4 Jump off the tram at Victoria Street and dash into Carlton Gardens (Victoria St. at Rathdowne St.), a beloved World Heritage Site known for countless European and Australian trees. Look closely and you may spot a tawny frogmouth, the best-loved and best-named bird in Melbourne. ( 1:50 )

5 Hop back on the tram, head to Federation Square and pop into The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (Russell St. at Flinders St.; www.ngv.vic.gov.au). Zip through the Indigenous Collection, which houses striking leather and textile works of Aboriginal art, some dating back as far as 20,000 years. On your way out, check the time on the floral clock in the Queen Victoria Gardens across the street. It’s getting late. ( 2:30 )

6 Curtin House (252 Swanston St.), once home to the Communist Party of Australia, is now a six-level vertical mall filled with bars, fashion boutiques and an open-air cinema. Steal a glance at the city below from the Rooftop Cinema before working your way down to specialist bookstore Metropolis, where you hunt for anything by Patrick White, the only Aussie ever to win a Nobel Prize for Literature. ( 3:30 )

7 It’s time to eat, so you head down to the hot new underground restaurant Izakaya Den (114 Russell St.; www.izakayaden.com.au) for the sensational tuna tataki. Japan might be 4,500 miles away, but at this popular sushi and Sapporo joint, it seems just around the corner. ( 4:30 )

8 Sprint over to the National Sports Museum (Brunton Ave. in Yarra Park; www.nsm.org.au). After trying to wrap your head around cricket and Australian rules football, you swing by the “Game On” exhibit, the museum’s “hands-, feet- and bottoms-on” area, to try the games out yourself. As you emerge, you’re thankful for the long flight, and long nap, ahead of you. ( 5:00 )

1 Kick things off in Pioneer Square (www.pioneersquaredistrict.org), a historic district that was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1889 and is now colonized by artists. Nod and murmur to yourself knowingly as you pop into a few of the local art galleries. Newly purchased prints in hand, hitch a ride north on any of the free buses (until 7 p.m.). ( :40 )

2 Come as you are to The Showbox at the Market (1426 First Ave.; www.showboxonline.com). Time it right and you’ll be able to catch an opening band at the popular 71-year-old Art Deco venue, which has hosted musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Muddy Waters, Iggy Pop and Pearl Jam. ( 1:10 )

3 Cut through Lower Post Alley and past its famous gum-covered wall to arrive at Pike Place Market. Dodge the flying salmon (the fishmongers here are known for their airborne seafood), and buy yourself some smoked filets. Let the street buskers serenade you while you wash down the lox with a venti, nonfat, triple-pump caramel macchiato (just like Mom used to make!) from the original Starbucks (1912 Pike Pl.; www.starbucks.com). ( 1:55 )

4 Head east to Capitol Hill, home to young professionals, creative types and the recently relocated Elliott Bay Book Company (1521 10th Ave.; www.elliottbaybook.com), a massive indie bookstore. Pick up former local Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and weigh the risks of summiting Mount Rainier over a pint of Trappist ale at Quinn’s Pub (1001 E. Pike St.; www.quinnspubseattle.com). ( 2:40 )

5 Before you go back downtown, duck into Velouria (1521 Melrose Ave.; www.shopvelouria.tripod.com), a boutique featuring products by local artisans, to pick up the crème de la crème of rain gear: the ever-youthful and design-happy Pare*Umbrella. You know, just in case. ( 3:00 )

6 Hungry? Stop into chef Tom Douglas’ James Beard–nominated Palace Kitchen (2030 Fifth Ave.; www.tomdouglas.com) for his melted, creamy (and dreamy) goat cheese and lavender fondue, or track down the Skillet Airstream trailer for truckside dining on seasonal local fare. Now, too full to walk, you’d best let the Seattle monorail do the moving for you. ( 3:40 )

7 Pay tribute to Seattle music gods at the interactive Frank Gehry–designed Experience Music Project (325 5th Ave. N; www.empsfm.org). Read Jimi Hendrix’s journal, bend notes with a wah-wah pedal and take in the rock-heavy Northwest Passage exhibit, where grunge lives on. Pause for a Vulcan salute to the attached Science Fiction Museum—there’s only so much time. ( 4:20 )

8 The wait is long, but the view from the 605-foot Space Needle (400 Broad St., www.spaceneedle.com) is well worth it. The 360-degree vista showcases the Olympic Mountains, Cascade Range and the Puget Sound—all of which deserve further exploration. ( 5:00 )

1 Arrive hungry at Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U St. NW; www.benschilibowl.com), a veritable D.C. institution (its owners were inducted into the city’s Hall of Fame) best known for its heavenly chili dogs and french fries drenched in cheese. (0:25)

2 Walk off the calories on 14th Street, an up-and-coming shopping district full of charming storefronts. Grab an off-beat (or perhaps off-color) souvenir at quirky gift shop Pulp, and then poke through the antique housewares at Miss Pixie’s (1626 14th St. NW; www.misspixies.com). Perhaps an Eisenhower-era credenza will catch your eye. (1:10)

3 Visit commanders in chief of years past at the National Portrait Gallery (800 F St. NW; www.npg.si.edu). If you prefer kings to presidents, you’re in luck—there’s an exhibit on Elvis, too. (1:55)

4 Walk down the Mall to the The National Archives (Constitution Ave. between 7th and 9th Sts. NW; www.archives.gov). Run inside and sneak a peek at the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Admire their splendor, but don’t strain your eyes; the words may be powerful but the text is downright unreadable. (2:30)

5 Head across the Mall to one of the District’s premier spring offerings: the Cherry Blossom Festival (Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park; www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org). You’ll have to fight the crowds, but seeing these pink and white beauties in full bloom is well worth it. (3:15)

6 Take a quick gander at the elegant World War II Memorial, then stroll past the White House (1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; www.whitehouse.gov). If you look hard enough you might spot Bo Obama digging holes in the Rose Garden. (3:45)

7 Take a break from all this history at the ultramodern Point of View bar, situated on the roof of the W Hotel (515 15th St. NW; www.starwoodhotels.com). Sip a fancy cocktail in a cushy chair while taking in the most impressive view of the city and the power players who run it. (4:40)

8 On your way out of town, ask your cabbie to drive past the Lincoln Memorial (Lincoln Memorial Cir SW; www.nps.gov/linc). When the sun is down, this already majestic monument is lit up by floodlights, rendering Honest Abe’s dour mug even more striking than usual. (5:00)

1 Your sprint through Frankfurt starts by taking the S-bahn to Taunusanlage. (Say that five times fast.) From there, walk to the spectacular Main Tower (Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58; www.maintower.de) and take the elevator to the 54th-floor viewing terrace. Comprising two towers, one round, one square, it’s the fourth-highest skyscraper in “Mainhattan” and proof that all architects once played with Legos. (0:35)

2 Descend from the clouds and walk over to the Alte Oper (1 Opernplatz; www.alteoper.de). Its roof was destroyed in World War II, but the building reopened in 1981 with a Renaissance façade that’s faithful to the original. Have a coffee in Cafe Rosso and imagine opening night 1880: Don Giovanni. (1:10)

3 Take the U-bahn to Bornheim, a hip shopping district and the only part of Frankfurt to survive WWII intact. Stroll Berger Straße toward Merianplatz; at Gate 05 (Berger Straße 46; www.gate05.de), stock up on the travel accessories you forgot to pack (a travel-size tube of Zahnpasta, perhaps?). (2:02)

4 Hop back on the U-bahn to Römerberg. Now you’re in medieval Europe—kind of. Stroll along the city square’s picturesque half-timbered buildings and stop in at Dom Sankt Bartholomäus (Domplatz 14; www.dom-frankfurt.de), where emperors were crowned during the Holy Roman Empire. Fascinating history, but you’re getting hungry. (2:31)

5 Time for Mittagessen. Steps away from Frankfurt’s shopping mile is the delightful Kleinmarkthalle (Hasengasse 5–7; www.kleinmarkthalle.de), a teeming indoor market where every sign, jar and display is a curiosity. Grab a bite at Metzgerei Schreiber—word is, their wurst is the best. ( 3:04 )

6 For more than three decades, husband and wife Bernd and Hilla Becher photographed German water towers, lime kilns and blast furnaces. Their obsession has a home at the Museum für Moderne Kunst (Domstraße 10; www.mmk-frankfurt.de), which also includes works by German provocateur Joseph Beuys and his student Blinky Palermo. On your way out, hit the gift shop for a one-off TransparentFragmentBag, made from the exhibition banners that hang on the MMK façade. (3:48)

7 Cross the Eiserner Steg, a 19th century Fußgängerbrücke—errr, footbridge—and you’re on the museum embankment, where you could take in Old Masters (Städel Museum), old furniture (Museum of Applied Arts) and old stamps (Museum of Communication). But time is short, so pick one and get moving. (4:41)

8 Conclude your jaunt with a glass of Apfelwein, Frankfurt’s famous hard apple cider. Take the charming back streets to Lorsbacher Thal (Große Rittergasse 49-51; www.lorsbacher-thal.de), which has been making the fruity libation since 1803. While there, be sure to order a side of Bratkartoffeln. Can’t pronounce it? Hope your hosts studied English and ask for “hot delicious potatoes.” (5:00)

1 First things first: souvenirs. Puerto Rican Art and Crafts (204 Fortaleza St.; www.puertoricanart-crafts.com) has it all, from high-end ceramics to handmade jewelry. But what you want is a mask of a vejigante, the clownlike characters that delight (and sometimes scare) crowds at Puerto Rican festivals. ( 0:20 )

2 Continue along Fortaleza Street until you arrive at Barrachina (104 Fortaleza St.; www.barrachina.com), which claims to be the birthplace of the piña colada. Indulge yourself with an umbrella-adorned glass, and then decide if you’d like to sample the mofongo (plantains fried with meat) or asopao (a traditional meat and vegetable stew). You can’t go wrong. ( 1:30 )

3 Make your way to Cristo Street, where you’ll find the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista (151–153 Calle del Cristo; www.catedralsanjuan.com), the second-oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere. Built in 1521, the cathedral is both captivating and a little creepy (it contains the tomb of Spanish explorer and Puerto Rico’s first governor, Juan Ponce de Léon). ( 2:00 )

4 There’s no time for a swim, but you can take a gander at the shimmering Caribbean. Head to Plazuela de la Rogativa for optimum gazing. If you can pull your eyes from the sea, you’ll notice four statues honoring a procession of cunning Catholic believers that scared off a British invasion in 1797. Divine. ( 2:30 )

5 Now it’s time for tunes. Puerto Rico prides itself on an eclectic array of genres, from the loud and pounding reggaeton to the more traditional bomba, but at the Museo de Pablo Casals (101 San Sebastián St.), it’s all about the cello. The founder of the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra, Casals has a legacy as big as the museum’s library of recordings. Go ahead, have a listen. ( 2:50 )

6 Walk down San Sebastian Street to Casa Blanca (1 San Sebastian St.) and poke around the magnificent Ponce de Léon family home. Though Juan himself never lived here, his descendants did for more than 250 years. Now it’s a museum detailing the remarkable history of Puerto Rico’s first first family. ( 3:25 )

7 No visit to Old San Juan would be complete without a look at Puerto Rico’s best-known fortress. So bite the bullet and make the long walk up to the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro. Millions of people annually explore the garitas (sentry boxes) while soaking in some of that blazing Caribbean sun. Even if military history doesn’t interest you, the view most certainly will. ( 4:40 )

8 As your trip winds down, you should too. Stroll down the quaint Paseo de la Princesa, a picturesque path packed with trees, pedestrians and kiosks selling the best fresh-squeezed orange juice you’ll ever have. Make it a double. (5:00)

1 Start your Singapore sprint with a glass of well-priced Moët at the New Asia Bar (2 Stamford Rd.; www.swissotel.com). Located on the 71st floor of the Swissotel, it’s the highest bar in Singapore and has a view worth toasting. ( 0:30 )

2 Take a walk to the river for some historical perspective. Admire the waterfront statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the man who founded Britain’s settlement in 1819, and pop into the Asian Civilisations Museum (1 Empress Pl.; www.acm.org.sg) to learn about those who inhabited the island before Raffles arrived. ( 1:10 )

3 Catch a taxi to the bustling Lau Pa Sat (Boon Tat St. at Shenton Way; laupasat.biz) market to taste Singapore’s wonderfully jumbled cuisine, which borrows from Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western cooking. Loosen your belt for a smorgasbord of cheap-as-chips favorites, like Hainanese chicken rice, fresh spring rolls and “carrot cake,” which is actually made from radish and fried egg. What’s up, doc? ( 1:50 )

4 Scurry over to trendy Club Street and catch your breath in the Screening Room’s rooftop bar, which overlooks Chinatown’s quaint shop houses. Then think ahead and grab some inflight reading at Books Actually (5 Ann Siang Rd.; www.booksactually.com). ( 2:20 )

5 You’re in prime souvenir-hunting territory now. Wander down Pagoda and Terengganu Streets and haggle for a tea set and Merlion T-shirt (the fish/lion icon of Singapore). Then check out the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (288 South Bridge Rd.; www.btrts.org.sg). Holy molar! ( 3:00 )

6 Slip off your sandals and enter the nearby Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman (244 South Bridge Rd.), home to an annual fire-walking festival. There’s just enough time to make an offering to appease the resident goddess of disease and rain, as you hope both will hold off for the next two hours. ( 3:15 )

7 Take a taxi to the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel (1 Beach Rd.; www.raffles.com), and slurp down a Singapore Sling. Countless tourists make this pilgrimage to revel in colonial grandeur and drink the cocktail in its birthplace. Who are you to argue? ( 4:00 )

8 End your trip where so many before you have ended theirs: the red-light district. Hail a cab to No Signboard Seafood (414 Geylang; www.nosignboardseafood.com) and soak up the gritty atmosphere, along with plenty of spicy-sweet sauce with fried bread. Finish up with some love-it-or-hate-it durian from a nearby vendor, and find out why, by law, this pungent fruit is not allowed on city buses. ( 5:00 )

1 Slather on some SPF 50 and head to the Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.; www.dbg.org), a quiet oasis of exotic plants and towering cacti smack in the middle of America’s fifth-largest city. ( 0:45 )

2 Cool down with a glass of Pinot at Postino Central (5144 N. Central Ave.; www.postinowinecafe.com). On a nice day (note: they’re pretty much all nice) the back patio is a prime spot for people watching. Count 10 cowboy hats and get ready to shop. ( 1:25 )

3 There’s a hip retail cluster tucked into a strip mall a couple blocks away where you can try on some quirky jewelry at Frances Vintage (10 W. Camelback Rd.; www.francesvintage.com) and listen to Bob Dylan’s Christmas album at Stinkweeds before grabbing two handfuls of old-fashioned penny candy at Smeeks. ( 1:50 )

4 One stop south on the light rail, sit down for a mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwich at Pane Bianco (4404 N. Central Ave.; www.pizzeriabianco.com). People wait hours for a table at James Beard Award–winner Chris Bianco’s downtown pizzeria, but here, it’s counter service and picnic table, in case you need your tomatoes more sun-dried. ( 2:20 )

5 Pop into one of the cavernous (and cool) galleries at the Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N. Central Ave.; www.phxart.org), then get your caffeine fix and a pastry a block away at Giant Coffee. While there, resist the urge to check your email; the clock is ticking. ( 3:20 )

6 Do a lap around Ro Ho En, the Japanese Friendship Garden (1125 N. 3rd Ave.; www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org) where architects from Himeji, Japan, have designed a wabi-sabi koi pond surrounded by artfully pruned trees. ( 3:45 )

7 Stop at the Civic Space Park (424 N. Central Ave.; www.phoenix.gov) and have a gander at the art floating above. Is it a jellyfish? A blooming desert flower? Whatever it is, internationally renowned artist Janet Echelman’s sculpture Her Secret Is Patience is Phoenix’s most buzzworthy piece of public art. ( 4:10 )

8 Your last stop is the Phoenix Ranch Market (1602 E. Roosevelt St.; www.prosranch.com), a wonderland of Mexican culture with an in-house tortilleria, a bustling food court and a jaw-dropping produce section. Pick up a cold agua fresca and fill your carry-on with cilantro before heading back to the airport. You’ve found the perfect souvenir. ( 5:00 )

1 Get your bearings among the craft purveyors, indigenous dancers and gawking tourists in the sprawling Zócalo. Step out of the madness and into the Palacio Nacional (El Zócalo, Centro) for a free look at Diego Rivera’s richly detailed mural masterpiece, Epic of the Mexican People in Their Struggle for Freedom and Independence. ( 0:35 )

2 Sample cantina culture at La Mascota (Calle Mesones 20, Centro), where small plates of homecooked staples such as carnitas (braised pork) and meatballs in chili sauce come free with drinks. Pick a tequila from the dozens of choices and have just one-you’ve got a long way to go. ( 1:20 )

3 Stroll down the shaded pathways of the Alameda Central, the city’s poplar-lined downtown park, on your way to the Latin American Tower (Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 2, Centro; www.ociopuro.org/torre). Climb to the 44th-floor terrace and soak up a panoramic view of the sprawling megalopolis. And you thought L.A. was big. ( 1:50 )

4 Flag a taxi, and hold tight for a wild ride to Mercado San Juan (Calle Ayuntamiento, Centro). Once there, buy a steaming cup of atole champurrado (hot chocolate and masa) to slurp as you browse the stalls of this huge market for art, textiles, aromatic herbs, chilis and edible grasshoppers. ( 2:50 )

5 Walk a couple of blocks and step into the ring at El Cuadrilátero (Calle Luis Moya 73, Centro), a sandwich shop opened by pro wrestler Super Astro. If you can powerslam the massive 2.5-pound Torta Gladiator in 15 minutes, it’s yours for free. ( 3:20 )

6 Now sprint, if your stomach will allow it, through the Museo de Arte Popular (Calle Revillagigedo 11, Centro; www.map.df.gob.mx), a folk art museum with a massive collection gathered from Mexico’s 31 states. The giant papier-mâché sculptures are stunning. But they’re not piñatas-don’t rip them open. ( 3:55 )

7 Gulp down a postmuseum pick-me-up at Café La Habana (Calle Morelos 62, Zona Rosa), the joint where Che Guevara and Fidel Castro allegedly met to plot the Cuban Revolution. On your way out, snag a few crunchy churros, proof that fried dough is best in stick form. ( 4:25 )

8 Finally, take a cab to Arena Mexico (Calle Doctor Lavista 189, los Doctores; www.arenamexico.com.mx), where high-flying masked wrestlers pummel each other with the most over-the-top choreography this side of the Palace of Fine Arts. Cheer on the técnico (good guy) as he pins the rudo (bad guy), and see why Mexican wrestling is so much better than its American counterpart. (It’s the masks.) ( 5:00 )

01 One block from Central Station, you’ll find the Nordic Sea Hotel (Vasaplan 4, www.nordicseahotel.se), where you can slip on a cozy thermal cape and descend into the frigid Absolut Ice Bar to sip vodka from glasses made of ice and sit on chairs made of…ice. Pretty cool. ( 0:20 )

02 Warm up with a brisk march over to Konditori Vete-Katten (Kungsgatan 55, www.vetekatten.se) for a midday fika—the Swedish custom of drinking coffee, socializing and eating sweets. Try the semla, a gooey almond paste and whipped cream–filled bun. Then try one more—you have time. ( 0:50 )

03 Head down to the pedestrian-friendly Drottninggatan on the way to Gamla stan, Stockholm’s historic old town. Pop into the H&M clothing store (you’re in its homeland, after all) on your way to the Royal Palace (Slottsbacken 1, www.royalcourt.se), where the only things more beautiful than the architecture are the guards. ( 1:45 )

04 Hungry again? Wow, you’re insatiable. Hop into Melanders Fisk Skeppsbron (Tullhus 2, www.melanders.se) for a Swedish classic like the rimmad lax med dillstuvad potatis (salmon with dill potatoes). ( 2:10 )

05 Stockholm is best enjoyed by boat, so walk to Räntmästartrappan and board a ferry to Djurgården (Djurgardsfarjan, www.waxholmsbolaget.se). Take in the panoramic view as you cross the Riddarfjärden and think of all the tasty lax swimming below. ( 2:40 )

06 Once on the island of Djurgården, skip the garish amusement park and head straight to Skansen (Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, www.skansen.se), the world’s oldest open-air museum. Make a beeline for the zoo for a glimpse of Scandinavian wildlife and learn an important lesson: Reindeer can’t fly. ( 3:25 )

07 Stroll over to the Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet, Galärvarvsvägen 14, www.vasamuseet.se) and marvel at the impressive 17th century Viking ship. Sure, it’s a little beat up, but if you spent more than 300 years on the ocean floor, you would be too. ( 4:05 )

08 Leaving Stockholm without appreciating its art history is heresy. Take a cab to the Nationalmuseum (Södra Blasieholmshamnen, www.nationalmuseum.se) and check out some 17th century furniture; unlike some of Sweden’s more modern stuff, this was built to last. ( 5:00 )

1 Enter the city with a walk under the Gateway Arch (gatewayarch.com). Wow, it’s big. No time to climb to the top, but poke your head in the Museum of Westward Expansion and see if you can tell the difference between Lewis and Clark. ( 0:25 )

2 Step outside and—wait, is that a casino over there? Yes, it’s the Lumière Place (999 N. 2nd St., lumiereplace.com). Stop in for some fleet-footed high-class shopping, and on the way out, slap a $20 on black. ( 1:10 )

3 Collect your winnings and ask a cabbie to take you past the Old Cathedral, the first west of the Mississippi; the Old Courthouse, where the Dred Scott case was tried; and the new Busch Stadium, where the honorable Albert Pujols presides. ( 1:16 )

4 Hop out at the Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust St., schlafly.com), the state’s first brewpub and now St. Louis’ largest locally owned brewery. Try the beer sampler and leave with a souvenir shirt heralding your support for the 21st Amendment (that’s the one that repealed Prohibition). ( 2:12 )

5 Grab another cab to Forest Park, home to spectacular flora, energetic fauna and a boatload of cultural institutions. Speaking of boats, stop by the newly renovated Boathouse (6101 Government Dr., boathouseforestpark.com), hop in a paddleboat and work off that stout. ( 3:05 )

6 Find your way to Delmar Loop (Delmar Blvd. between Kingsland and Des Peres aves., ucityloop.com) for a relaxing stroll down the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Step on local greats: Miles Davis, Maya Angelou, T.S. Eliot—and some not-quite-as-greats—bowling “legend” Dick Weber, rapper Nelly. ( 3:55 )

7 Forgot where you put your thrill? There it is—at Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar Blvd., blueberryhill.com), where guitar legend Chuck Berry regularly performs in the Duck Room. Kneel and declare, “I am not worthy.” Then order “The Lou’s” favorite dish: toasted ravioli. ( 4:40 )

8 Finally, run across the street to Fitz’s Root Beer (6605 Delmar Blvd., fitzsrootbeer.com), slap a bill on the soda fountain, tell them you have a plane to catch, and demand one of their magnificent root beer floats. While you’re waiting, watch the “jerks” bottle the delectable root beer, which is made right there on the premises. How refreshing. ( 5:00 )