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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

2. Follow Napoleon across Russia

3. Visit Namibia’s protected coast

4. Go football crazy in Poland and Ukraine

5. Chase Australia’s Top End eclipse

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

7. Discover a new Middle East

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

10. Check out Korea’s Expo

Read entire article at: lonelyplanet