Try White River Watch for a banish weapon. I keep finding them there.

And I always do a loop from Riften to Solitude. My route takes me through Ivarstead, Riverwood, Whiterun, Rorikstead, Dragon Bridge and then Solitude. Fewer Forsworn, more road to pick. If I'm feeling adventurous, I'll take a carriage from Solitude to Winterhold and go back to Riften through Windhelm, Kynesgrove and Shor's Stone.

Giant's are only bad at low levels. Higher up they just can't hit as hard, and so as long as you don't let your health get too low you'll be okay. Plus since they still hit you, you can level up Heavy Armor while you're at it. Particularly since you'll usually find two of them at a camp.