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For cross-country skiers, one winter destination rises above the rest: humble Hayward, Wisconsin, where, for a glorious weekend, their obscure sport is king.

Read one writer’s account of staying at this beautiful vineyard hotel in the Pacific Northwest.

One of Shanghai’s most fascinating museums is hidden in the basement of a French Concession high-rise. Yang Pei Ming started collecting Maoist-era (1949–1979) propaganda posters in 1995—first as a hobby, and then to preserve these important historical and cultural relics. (The Chinese government destroyed many old posters for political reasons.) Thanks to Ming’s diligence, the museum has nearly 6,000 originals you won’t see anywhere else, from woodblock prints by Chinese autoworkers to intricate Shanghai Lady cigarette ads and neon-red armbands. The gift shop sells large and small reprints as well as postcards and kitschy souvenirs.

The Japanese love fried chicken (and really, who doesn’t?), and Tokyo offers any number of variations of this deliciously crunchy, batter-dipped staple of comfort food, from home-grown karaage and chicken tatsuta to KFC (which the locals associate strongly with Christmas dinner, interestingly enough—but that’s a story for a different Highlight). Despite the dish’s popularity, however, one has to be somewhat diligent to find variations originating from countries other than Japan, the US and China, and being a fan of Korean-style spicy wings I was fortunate enough recently to stumble upon a little place near the backside of Shinjuku that serves excellent specimens thereof. Located on the second-floor of a non-descript building in Shin-Okubo, Kaya Chicken offers up several different kinds of yangnyeom (as the Koreans call it), fried twice to give the skin an amazing crispiness while imparting a level of tenderness to the meat that’s difficult to recreate with other styles of fried chicken. You can get your chicken (fried whole and available as is or in half-sized portions) done up with Korean spicy miso paste (kochujan in Japanese), soy sauce and garlic or honey and toasted sesame seeds—personally I ordered a mix plate of all three to enjoy the incomparable satisfaction that comes from the combination of spicy and sweet. Wash it all down with a cold beer or soju (Korean rice wine) and you have yourself an authentic taste of Seoul food in Tokyo.

Anyone taking diligent notes on Portland decor is sure to notice similarities in design from location to location beyond a love for taxidermy. Much of that Rose City decorating style emanates from Schoolhouse Electric. Located in a 115-year-old redbrick warehouse and factory building in an industrial part of the city’s West Side, Schoolhouse Electric sells everything from perfect reproductions of 1960s-era IBM clocks to more vintage sconces and analogue clocks than you can shake a stick at. The store’s Ristretto Roasters coffee bar provides a caffeine boost when your energy for curated doorknobs reaches its limit.

Much is made of Tokyo’s Michelin stars, particularly the sushi kind—thanks to mass media reviews and documentaries such as “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.” Just about every raw fish fan around the globe is familiar with such big-name sushi eateries as Jiro Sukiyabashi and Sushi Mizutani. While they unquestionably deserve every bit of their legendary reputations (both in terms of quality and degree of wallet busting), there are other, lesser-known temples of ichythiodian idol worship that are equally deserving of such lavish attention. They offer very similar levels of gastronomic bliss but at less exorbitant prices. One of these unsung heroes is Sushi Yuu, located on a quiet backstreet of the fashionable Nishi-Azabu neighborhood. The owner-chef, Daisuke (who at 40 is positively a youngster in a food genre dominated by old men), is fluent in English and Russian and is a master at his craft—he expertly prepares his creations with an admirable diligence while engaging customers in lively conversation across three languages. One of the specialties at Sushi Yuu is tuna—it is generously served in every conceivable form, from melt-in-your-mouth otoro (fatty tuna) to filet seared with a blowtorch (aburitoro). It also has an extensive wine list, which is a relative rarity among Tokyo sushi places. Incidentally, you may find yourself sitting next to the likes of Hollywood celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Lady Gaga, who love to discreetly pop in for some tender morsels when they’re in town.

A bargain-hunter’s paradise, Wolff’s rewards vigilant (and diligent) shoppers with deals on art, antiques, clothing, collectibles, and odds and ends of every description. For the best finds, get there as early as possible and head for the vendors farthest from the entrance. Parking is free, but bring cash for the $2 admission (and, of course, for your purchases).

Why would a local visit a tourist attraction? Because Kualoa is a beautiful escape and a place to appreciate Hawaiian culture. Building sprees that began in the early 1900s spread across Hawaii with no concern for desecrating places of cultural significance or taro farmland, making it more remarkable that this land system running from the mountains to the sea, known as an ahupua’a, still exists. The Morgan family, descendants of Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, land-owner after King Kamehameha III, have diligently kept the integrity of the area intact while providing a financial base to preserve Kualoa’s 4000 acres on Oahu. Drive out to the ranch on your own or arrange a Waikiki pick-up, then take in a full or half-day of tours, a beach day, and dinner show. Kualoa Ranch has been a scene-stealer in many movies and a tour will drive you through some of the locations. If horseback riding is your thing, experienced wranglers can set you up on well-kept horses. While your gentle mount does all of the work, magnificent vistas will leave you breathless. For those preferring their horsepower with four tires, there are ATV rides or, a jungle expedition in a Pinzgauer up mountain trails stopping for a stunning view of Kane’ohe Bay, an 800-year-old fishpond and a tiny island called Mokoli’i. There are easy options like the garden tour and fishpond boat ride. Everyone will enjoy the authentic Hawaiian show featuring ancient dances about Kualoa while dining under the stars.

Let me put the good news front and center: This is not your father’s Ritz-Carlton (nor your mother’s). For example take the infinity pool, which practically drops you in the Atlantic. Then, there’s the art deco décor, which comes alive with the Latin beat infused throughout the property. Finally, consider the location: the completely restored landmark hotel is literally steps from Lincoln Road, the epicenter of South Beach life – at least the part of life that’s off the beach. I, for one, could not have been happier reading in a poolside chaise or taking a soak in the Jacuzzi, unless it was when I headed up to the state-of-the-art spa, and then down to the beach, where attendants are standing by to cater to your (nearly) every whim. Sunrises are breathtaking — instead of taking photos to post online, I suggest you do what I did: Stand there and let the new day bathe you in its rays. But there is one important way that this Ritz-Carlton is like every Ritz-Carlton: The top-flight service. I barraged handsome Patrick, the day concierge, with a series of questions: “Where can I have dinner that is quiet and outside?” “Can you find me a yoga studio with ‘flow’ classes?” And so on. Let me say this: He knows his stuff and so does the rest of the staff. I was genuinely sad to leave, wanting more time at the pool, at Bistro One LR. Basically, more of everything, which is the ultimate compliment for any hotel. (A $28 resort fee is charged per night, per room)

As a dog owner, a Siberian Husky owner to be exact, I was always a little hesitant about dogsledding tours. I have heard some pretty horrific stories about mistreatment and I certainly didn’t want to contribute to this in any way. As with all travel experiences though, with a little research and due-diligence it is possible to enjoy these experiences while practicing ethical and sustainable travel practices. The company I found after long and careful research was Kingmik Dogsled Tours, a small locally owned and operated business located on the shores of Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. Met by the energetic and feisty owner, Megan soon had us bundled in and ready to mush. The dogs were of course beautiful and as excited about the adventure as we were. It was cold and it was wet, but it was also beautiful. My moment of Zen was when the dogsled erupted out of a copse of trees into a vast field that sparkled with new fallen snow. Without exaggeration I turned around to my partner and said, “Can you believe we’re here, doing this?” Any time you can say that on a trip means that you’ve done something right. You can organize your own ethical dogsled tour with Megan, just contact Kingmik Dogsled Tours the next time you’re in either Banff or Lake Louise, Canada.

With hundreds of castles and chateaux in Belgium, open to the public, it’s hard to know which ones to visit. The castle of Freÿr, in Wallonia, is a great place to start. This grand building has remained in the same family for 20 generations and one wing is still home to the current owners. Exploring the interior of the castle is a must, as you’ll be visiting some of the same rooms as Louis XIV and the Archduchess Maria-Christina. The best place to take in the scope of the castle and its grand formal gardens, however, is across the river. You’ll need a good GPS or map to find the 2 unmarked lookout points. You’ll be rewarded for your diligence by this spectacular view.

At the restaurant Nopa in San Francisco‘s Western Addition, the long bar and communal tables are perfect places to perch on a weeknight. Go early, order an elderflower gimlet or a sparkling, minty Old Cuban (both off-menu). Don’t miss the Mission School-style mural painted on the wall.

Daniel Berlin and his eponymous restaurant have won high praise from food experts: The Independent newspaper described him as “the natural heir to René Redzepi,” while to Bon Appétit magazine he is “the next big chef from Sweden.” Food enthusiasts are beating a path to his tiny (just 14 seats) primrose-colored cottage in a quiet hamlet near the southern tip of Sweden. He uses ingredients he’s picked from his own garden or caught nearby. Dinner costs almost $200, plus around $130 for wine pairing; there is a juice menu for $75.

Vine at The St. Regis Doha, has indoor as well as terrace seating. By the entrance, there is a bay of sweets and confectionery meant to wet patrons’ sweet tooth. A strong willpower will come in handy, because beyond the sweets is one impressive spread of fine cuisine from all over the world, a few live stations and diligent staff. Children have their own buffet and activities corner, which allows adults to lose themselves in the flavors and textures of the lavish buffet. A band plays live music from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. 320 QR, ($87) with soft drinks, 420 QR ($115) with bubbly, 160 QR, ($44) for kids.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we examine an age-old travel quandary: the ethics of interacting with panhandlers.