Hong Kong (36)

If you are in Hong Kong for a few days and have some time to yourself, or need an exciting corporate trip, then escape the city and head off into the New Territories. The area is stunning and a company called Kayak and Hike (owned by a guy called Paul Etherington) can arrange fantastic trips. You take an exhilarating ride out around the islands on an ex-marine police boat, kayak through incredible sea arches and eat in a gorgeous fishing village. You get to see a truly hidden side to Hong Kong. A great way to unwind and take a break from the skyscrapers.

Head away from the main streets into the working class areas for a real breakfast experience, thin watery soups, spicy stews, congees - a wide range of dishes are to be had for much less than you'd pay for a continental breakfast in any hotel.

If you go to Hong Kong around December the place is awash with hairy crabs - not an outbreak of unpleasantness, but a gastronomic opportunity. The ones I had were steamed and once one worked out how to get inside them, the ovaries were something between scrambled egg and mashed potato.

If you are travelling to Asia - check out Asiarooms.com. They typically have a larger inventory of hotel rooms than a lot of the European/US-based hotel consolidators. Prices tend to be reasonable and availability is sometimes better than other providers (such as Expedia, etc).