As biking has become more popular, bike rentals have become more available at a wide range of destinations. A simple Web search will likely turn up options and for just a few dollars you can get a glimpse of the city you are visiting that isn’t possible any other way. Most rental agencies will offer you a helmet and lock as part of the rental.

Some hotels are beginning to offer bicycles as a service to their guests. Both the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA and the Liberty Hotel in Boston have a mini-fleet ready for the road. The Chic Cyclists blog reports that in addition to these, Element — the LEED certified Starwood offering, the James Chicago, and the Bowery NYC have two-wheelers on hand.

One of the great advantages of bike riding on a business trip is that you don’t have to bring a lot of gear. In fact, you can ride in business attire (as you’ll observe many commuters doing in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and other European cities — and more and more often in the U.S.). You simply moderate your speed so that you don’t build up a sweat. Of course that’s easiest in a flat city.

On my recent ride in San Francisco , part of a Saturday Night Stayover, I was happy that the ferry was an option for the ride back as the ride back up to the bridge is one serious hill (and, truth be told, I was returning with four bottles of wine that added to my ballast:) .

Have you pedalled your way across town while on a business trip? Have a business biking story to share? Leave a comment below.

How much more satisfying, though, to be a bit more selective. I’ve taken to visiting small museums (and have recommended the best I’ve found in the One Hour Tourist section of each of our city pages) where the temptation to gorge is naturally limited. When visiting a large museum, I hunt for the smaller, off-beat exhibitions that aren’t so heavily trafficked.

The result is getting to spend more time with the art at hand. It’s a welcome antidote to the working life where it sometimes feel that if the thumbs stop texting, breathing too will cease. No worry, it is possible to simply sit and enjoy a painting or sculpture without endangering one’s health. In fact, focusing on a single object — letting it speak to you, challenge you, or wash over you as the case may be — can be a wonderful restorative.

I spent nearly an hour looking at Monet’s Water Lilies in Paris and felt positively rejuvenated. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Frick Collection in New York, the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, the Delacroix Museum in Paris, and many others (even the Chocolate Museum in Barcelona ♥) offer wonderful opportunities to spend time with special art. I’m a big fan of the British approach to museum admissions — most have no fee — for this very reason. It’s easy to grab a few minutes during a commute or between meetings to duck into the National Portrait Gallery when you don’t have to plunk down 5 or 10£ just to get in the door.

Be careful, though, as this may become popular. “Slow looking, like slow cooking, may yet become the new radical chic,” Bloom says.

What are your favorite small museums or quiet galleries in the big museums? Have you found ways to sneak a little culture in your business trips? Your fellow Nomads would love to know.

A guest post from one of your fellow Nomads, Siobhan Ford:

There really isn’t much that can top Paris in springtime. Already a city of inimitable beauty, Paris is radiant during the mild, fresh days of early spring. The city’s blooming parks and tightly-packed sidewalk cafes flood with people seeking a few precious hours in the sunshine, and when the long days finally fade into evening, the city remains alive with energy.

I was lucky enough to spend a whole week in Paris in April, meaning I could explore all the city has to offer at a rather leisurely pace. But for those of you whose busy schedules don’t allow for meandering through the arrondissements, here’s a handful of places you should visit in between all your meetings.

Le Timbre (literally, “the stamp”), is named for its size-the entire restaurant isn’t much bigger than a well-appointed hotel room. But the eloquently traditional French cuisine makes bumping elbows with fellow diners worth your while. I had a beautiful dish of escargot and black lentils for a first course, a welcome change from the standard garlic butter preparation. My main course was simple lamb and potatoes, perfectly seasoned. The menu appears daily on a large blackboard by the tiny open kitchen, and there’s a small but well-rounded wine list that includes some very reasonable bottles.

Paris‘s street markets are part of the city’s unique fabric. If you can spare time on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday morning, stop at the Marche Raspail, located between Rue de Rennes and Rue de Cherche Midi. Eager merchants man stall after stall of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, pungent cheeses, fresh fish, and earthy spices. You won’t leave hungry or empty-handed.

On a clear day take your purchases and walk 10 minutes to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Medici-inspired park in the 6th arrondissement. You can’t lounge on the immaculately kept lawns, but you can pull up one of the many dusty green metal chairs scattered around the park, break out your baguette and saucisson, and enjoy a sunny lunch break.

Should you find yourself with an hour to kill and an artistic hankering, head to the Musee Rodin. Many of the sculptor’s major works are on display outdoors in a lush garden that you can loop through quite quickly. Unlike the Louvre, which can leave even the most ardent art-lover overwhelmed, this museum will simply fill you with appreciation for Rodin’s genius and send you on your way.

Finally, it’s my firm opinion that no trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at Fauchon, the pink-awning-bedecked emporium of gourmet food and pastry. The New York City and various French locations are nothing compared to the flagship store on the Place de la Madeleine, which is actually two separate stores sitting on adjacent corners. One is devoted to luxury food items of all kinds, while the other houses takeaway dishes and Fauchon’s famous pastries. The latter are delicate, dainty, exquisite concoctions filled with explosions of buttercream and ganache. I saved mine for my last night in the city, and savored every beautiful bite.

What are your favorite spots in Paris?

First up is one of our favorites: Sonoma, CA. We find Sonoma more relaxed (and relaxing) than its neighbor Napa. Head across the Golden Gate Bridge and continue north on Highway 101 until you see the signs for Route 12, Sonoma. The signs are clear from there. You’ll be in downtown Sonoma in about an hour after you cross the bridge (depending, of course, on that famous California traffic).

We stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Our junior suite was exceptionally comfortable and featured a wood-burning fireplace (with handy wood bundles provided), a spa tub, and a small balcony. Our Guest Services Manager was responsive and helpful when we set up the trip and service throughout the weekend was top notch. The spa services were professionally given (the tandem massage is unforgettable). They also have a golf course. The Sonoma Mission Inn lived up to its reputation and exceeded our expectations.

Bonus: if you are a Fairmont President’s Club member (or join when you check in), you get free Internet access in your room.

The principal attractions of Sonoma are food and wine. Very close to downtown Sonoma you’ll find the historic Bartholomew Park, Gundlach-Bundschu, and Buena Vista wineries. At each winery you’ll find an engaging, unintimidating staff and truly exceptional wines that you won’t encounter every day (there are several releases available only at the winery). Ravenswood is also nearby and offers releases not in wide distribution.

There are several dozen other wineries within an easy hour’s drive. You will find a mix of varietals throughout the area but there are some areas of concentration — head west toward Forestville for Pinot Noir (2007 was a gangbuster vintage) or north for Zinfandel.

You’ll find plenty of shopping (mostly locally owned independent shops), historic attractions, and dining around the plaza in Sonoma as well. The restaurants we recommend are The Girl and the Fig (“country food with a French passion” using local ingredients), Meritage (amazing house-made pasta), and Café Le Haye. Recommendations are recommended for each and you are welcome to bring a bottle of wine you’ve purchased on your winery adventures. If you want something more casual, check out Maya or La Casa for Mexican fare (the latter quite casual and kid-friendly and also an easy place to stretch your pesos) or The Red Grape — a family-owned pizzeria with innovative wood-grilled pizzas and a good selection of wines by the glass.

Sonoma is a wonderful place to spend a day or a weekend exploring northern California’s natural beauty and bounty.