Stratford-upon-Avon’s all-time luckiest fluke was that the Bard was born here. This little twist of fate has kept a centuries-long steady stream of tourists flowing through town. Stratford-upon-Avon’s population is only about 20,000, but during summer high season, it balloons to over 100,000 with all the tourists.Fivefold increase? Whoa, this guy William must’ve been pretty important or something. His birthplace alone welcomes over a half million visitors each year; while the Royal Shakespeare Company attracts a million patrons annually to its performances. These visitors primarily belong to an older demographic and seem to abide by Shakespeare’s words, “There is money; spend it, spend it; spend more.” Never fear, though: the budget traveler can still find free fun for folly in others’ foible—while the Shakespeare sites are frequented by throngs of tourists, Stratford’s beautiful countryside and riverfront walks often go blissfully ignored. A wander off into the sunset is the perfect way to end your day.