Top 10 things to do in 2012

Dec 19, 2011 2:53:05 AM

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It’s not as if you need an excuse for travel…but if you did, here are the anniversaries, gatherings and essential destinations to put in your diary for next year. Your 2012 travel planning starts here.

1. Honour Scott’s Polar Centenary

British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to the South Pole arrived on 17 January 1912, by which point they already knew they were beaten by Amundsen’s triumph on 14 December 1911. A century later, the Antarctic summer of 2011-12 will be a bumper one for visits to the frozen continent. Scott buffs should aim for Cambridge, England (home to the Polar Museum, part of the Scott Polar Research Institute) or his statue in London’s Waterloo Place. But the ultimate is to visit his frozen-in-time hut at Cape Evans on Ross Island, Antarctica.

The Scott Centenary concert tour featuring the City of London Sinfonia will tour England in February. See the Scott Polar Research Institute for details.

2. Follow Napoleon across Russia

Da da da da da da da da, daa daaa…BOOM! (That’s Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire.) Yes, this year marks the 200th anniversary of 1812 – and Napoleon’s disastrous invasion of Russia and the battles provoked by it. Head to Moscow, where the Battle of Borodino Panorama gives a vivid impression of the events of a key skirmish. Or go further north to St Petersburg’s Hermitage and Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps, which contain paintings and memorabilia from the campaign. This could also be the year to finally tackle Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace, set around the conflict – though you may need to set aside the entire year to get through it.

The 360-degree panorama of the Borodino battle – complete with sound effects – is at Kutuzovsky pr 38, Moscow.

3. Visit Namibia’s protected coast

Namibia is a special country, blessed with an abundance of easy-to-spot wildlife, beautiful desert scenery and vast, wide open spaces. This year you can visit the epic Namibian coastline in the knowledge that the entire Atlantic shore is now part of one of the world’s largest protected areas, encompassing four parks: the Sperregebiet National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, newly created Dorob National Park and the infamous Skeleton Coast protected area. Many areas, especially in the south, can be explored independently – though ideally with your own wheels – but getting into serious Skeleton Coast wilderness requires a charter flight and deep pockets.

Chameleon Safaris offers good-value safaris across Namibia, including the Skeleton Coast.

4. Go football crazy in Poland and Ukraine

This summer’s European Football Championship shines a light on two of Europe’s least appreciated destinations. Poland and Ukraine are providing four venues each, and the rewards for travelling fans are set to be huge. Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw, Poland’s host cities, frame a journey around that country, and you can tick off Krakow on the way to Europe’s best-kept secret, Lviv in Ukraine. Kiev, which is especially lovely in the summer, Kharkiv and football-mad Donetsk complete the set of Ukrainian host venues. Both countries offer some of the best-value travel in Europe, with easy transport links to ferry the continent’s supporters to and frommatches.

Get details about the venues and travel at UEFA.com.

5. Chase Australia’s Top End eclipse

Eclipse chasers have had a bountiful few years, pairing one of nature’s greatest shows with visits to Easter Island, Bhutan and Mongolia. This year’s total eclipse on 13 November crosses parts of the South Pacific, with the most significant landfall across Arnhem Land and Cape York in Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland, respectively. This is wild territory, and access to many areas is restricted by both permit requirements and wet season transport difficulties. However, the remote Palmer River area, inland from Port Douglas, Queensland, sees less rainfall than coastal areas and looks set to be a key eclipse-chasers destination.

Camping, facilities and a gold rush museum are available at the Palmer River Roadhouse on the Mulligan Hwy.

6. Meet the Maid of Orleans on her 600th birthday

France’s greatest heroine was born 600 years ago this year, offering a great excuse to explore her former stamping ground. Joan of Arc was a teenage visionary and military hero who took the fight to the English in the Hundred Years War. Following her trail will lead travellers to some wonderful parts of France, from Orleans, where her boldness led to the lifting of a long siege, to the beautiful Reims Cathedral, where Charles VII was crowned King of France, having been inspired by her visions of his succession. Joan was tried in Rouen Castle and executed in the city’s Vieux Marche, where a modern church marks the location of her immolation.

In preparation, read Mark Twain’s fictional but illuminating Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc.

7. Discover a new Middle East

The Arab Spring swept through the region in 2011, offering revolutions that were variously realised or repressed. Few countries in the Middle East and North Africa were unaffected, but the most significant change may be in Western perceptions of the region. Despite their troubled political systems, these countries are steeped in history and offer hospitality unrivalled anywhere else; they’re also are home to a young, energetic and ambitious population. Why not pay a visit to Tunis or Cairo – or any of the other cities that hit the headlines in 2011? You might be among the first to return, and you’ll definitely be warmly welcomed.

Keep an eye on the headlines for the opening date of the amazing new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, projected for some time in 2012.

8. Explore Maribor’s Old Town

Sharing the European Capital of Culture crown with Guimarães, Portugal is the unheralded Slovenian gem of Maribor. The plan is to use the year in the spotlight to increase the profile of Slovenia’s second-largest city, which is off the usual Ljubljana-Lake Bled-Triglav route through the country. Events are still being confirmed, but expect art, music and other festivals to accompany the well-established theatre, classical music and folklore performances. The real stars of the show will be Maribor’s delightful Old Town and imposing castle, combined with a laid-back air best sampled from a cafe in one of the city’s many delightful, diminutive squares.

Štajerc, a pub-restaurant at Vetrinjskaulica 30, is the place to head for if you’re in the mood for reasonably priced local dishes.

9. Play arcade classics at the Smithsonian

Parents, kids, geeks and gamers should rejoice and head for the US capital. The collection at DC’s Smithsonian American Art Museum has over 7000 works of art, but an exhibition this year proves this is no mere load of frames gathering dust. The Art of Video Games explores the evolution of arcade and computer games over 40 years, and promises to make almost everyone who visits feel nostalgic (and possibly ancient). Some 80 games will be featured through still images and video footage. Better yet, you warm up your fingers and then play Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst and World of Warcraft.

The exhibition will run from 16 March to 30 September. See the Smithsonian for more details about exhibitions.

10. Check out Korea’s Expo

Today’s descendants of World’s Fairs, expos are large public exhibitions organised around a particular theme and featuring stands representing individual countries (think World Showcase at Disney World’s Epcot). The modern versions fascinate as much for the ways that countries strive to portray themselves as for the exhibits themselves. Yeosu in Korea is staging EXPO 2012, with a theme of ‘Living Ocean and Coast’, and the port city is a fitting venue with its spectacular coastline. Inside the Expo, expect thought-provoking, futuristic displays and dramatically designed pavilions.

Expo 2012 will be held from 12 May to 12 August

For all your travel inspiration and tips for the coming year from Lonely Planet’s experts, get Best in Travel 2012 now!

Best in Travel 2012 also available on the iBookstore.

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Comments

24 December 2011 2:53AM panacea662 Report this comment
Tikal? Is a top 10 destination this year!
24 December 2011 11:59AM freddles Report this comment
Although completely obvious how could you make a list and miss out that little tiny event in London which attracts participants from over 190 countries in the world?
24 December 2011 1:26PM emaustin27 Report this comment
No mention of the London this year? They've got the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee this summer.
25 December 2011 10:09PM ask_g Report this comment
Well, London is number one of the Top 10 Cities in 2012... http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london/travel-tips-and-articles/76861
Would be boring if the host of the Olympics would top every list, every fourth year...
29 December 2011 4:37AM everyusernameistaken Report this comment
ask_g Olympics are actually every 2 years. Don't forget we have winter Olympics too.
31 December 2011 12:26PM ursochappell Report this comment
It's technically wrong to say that expos are the "descendants" of world's fairs. They're world's fairs outright and are overseen by the same organization: the Bureau International des Expositions.
The problem stems from the fact that "world's fair" tends to be the term in the United States which hasn't held one since 1984. It's not unlike the terms "soccer" and "football."
4 January 2012 4:05AM breckner Report this comment
Seventh in this listing but number one for many of its amazing sites. Egypt is indeed steeped in history and continues to offer hospitality unrivalled anywhere else. There has never been a better time to visit and there are superb prices to suit all tastes and budgets
4 January 2012 1:11PM hosung82 Report this comment
welcome to korea expo 2012.
http://www.koreabackpackers.net/
5 January 2012 12:01AM leahmaria Report this comment
"with the most significant landfall across Arnhem Land and Cape York in Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland, respectively. This is wild territory, and access to many areas is restricted by both permit requirements and wet season transport difficulties." Haha, oh please. Cairns, a city of 150,000 people is predicted to get the full 100% eclipse. Townsville, a city of 180,000 350km south of Cairns is due to get a 98% eclipse. You don't need any permits, wet season transport or camping gear to see this eclipse.
10 January 2012 2:17PM kathmanduo Report this comment
Or, spend 2012 at the top of the world. My wife and I spent 2011 in Nepal and had the honor of its two most famous treks: the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp. The pictures are stunning, but no substitute for the real thing. http://thekathmanduo.blogspot.com/p/trekking.html
10 January 2012 2:19PM woody3692 Report this comment
Kish Mir in tuches. Those are the last ten things I would want to do even if I was getting paid to do them. What's #11? Pass a kidney stone?
10 January 2012 4:40PM fareedgujjar Report this comment
My recomandation is Karakuram highway the road to mighty mountains K2,Broad Peak,G1,G2,G4,Masheburam,Tarango towers,Mustagh tower ( anncient route to china)cross Gandogora La (The highest passable pass of the world at the height of 5800 mtrs).
10 January 2012 11:25PM rideyourdream Report this comment
or, as i will do with some friends this fall - ride a bike from mt.everest base camp and lhasa overland to chengdu. "one of the world´s great road trips" according to lonely planet ...http://www.asiabiketours.com/tibet-overland.html
11 January 2012 12:57AM ivan12 Report this comment
This is all very nice and sounds rather expensive!
11 January 2012 3:48AM sipuebla Report this comment
You might consider going to the Festival of all moles in Puebla, Mexico. It is in May during the anniversary of the battle of 5 de mayo. www.sipuebla.com
11 January 2012 3:57AM msladybug Report this comment
Great list, but how can you leave out San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a must do!!
31 January 2012 9:07PM traveliniceland Report this comment
You are always welcome in Iceland. We are expecting to have gratest number of tourists this year in Iceland who would like to be inspired by Iceland!

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