Hi!

In August I'll be going to visit several countries and I'd like to make the most of it. I have books (lonely planets) of all the countries I'll be visiting (list below), but a book will only take you so far.

But, I think locals can tell me much more. That's where you come in! A book might show me the main attractions of a country, but I'd really like to meet the locals, to experience life in another country. An awesome local pub for example, won't be in a book, but a local could tell me. Perhaps a concert, a nice restaurant or just a nice park. Whatever you can think off, I'd like to know!

Countries I'll be visiting:

- Japan

- Australia (Tasmania and New South Wales (Coastline) mostly)

- New Zealand (North Island mostly, unless someone points out something truly amazing)

- Hawaii

- California/Nevada (LA, SF, and LV by car, so I'll be able to move around)

- New York

Love to hear some tips about hidden gems to visit! Ofcourse I know of the Statue of Liberty and that sort of thing, I'd really like the lesser known, but probably more awesome experiences!

Thanks in advance!

Look for travel authors like Rick Steves who travel off the beaten path. They know the smaller non touristy areas where you get the real feel and experience of a country. Also, make sure you don't use any of these gestures in a country your visiting:

http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_771_39-innocent-gestures-that-will-make-people-overseas-hate-you/

That list is a good tip, thanks! And I'll search for some travel authors, did not think of that, so thanks again!

Which island(s) will you be visiting in Hawaii?

For California, since you say you'll be driving and visiting SF & LA, you MUST take your time and take Highway 1/101 up or down the coast. God, that whole coast between Santa Barbara and the Bay Area is amazing. You can take the freeways once you're in LA to get the "local" experience . (I actually sort of "like" driving through downtown LA, as much as you can like that sort of thing. The 110 Freeway is kind of fun to drive. Of course now you can take the Gold Line I guess.)

Skip LA.

I'll land in Honolulu, other than that, nothing is certain yet about Hawaii. I'm looking for work there (work for food and a roof over my head, not for money), so that'll largely decide what island I'll be staying at for the largest part of my stay there. Though I'll have a couple of weeks there free to travel, so if you know anything worth visiting, I'll be glad to hear about it!

I was indeed planning to drive along the coast of California, don't know if that automatically means that I'll drive over the 1/101, but I'll check that out to be sure. I want the most beautiful route past the coast of California. I'd also like to visit the Red Woods, if I have the time.

Any good local pubs (or what do you call them? Places where you drink beer and can chat with people) you can recommend in LA or SF?