5 Cool Places to Go in 2012

When making plans for travel in 2012, I like to seek out those special places in the world where you can have unique experiences to treasure for many years. I'm considering five locations where events and sights will certainly exceed my expectations:

United Kingdom
This is the year when England will host the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the British will go all out to welcome visitors with traditional hospitality. The events are from July 27 through August 12, 2012.
Included at London's Olympic Statium will events in 26 sports, such as archery, basketball, boxing, cycling, swimming, diving, gymnastics, tennis, weightlifting and taekwondo. On the nearby Thames River, competitions include rowing and sailing.

Great Britain will also celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Events honoring her 60-year reign will be held from June 2 to 5, 2012. Ceremonies will include a river pageant on the Thames, with the Queen's royal barge leading the flotilla of more than 1,000 vessels, accompanied by ringing church bells, band music, floral displays and the cheers of 100,000 people expected to line the river banks.

Cuba
With new leadership in Cuba and increasing outreach by the U.S. government, you can sign up for a trip in 2012 to the island with a charter or educational organization. Enhanced schedules by major airlines will make it easier to book flights in 2012 from U.S. cities. Cuba Education and Explorer Tours is an official provider of education travel and we've been looking at some of the trips involving musical education and Cuban music festivals.

After more than a half-century of isolation, American visitors can once again enjoy the unique Cuban music, food, beaches and other attractions. If you are a cigar enthusiast, visit Cuba between February 27 to March 2 That's when the largest international gathering of enthusiasts of the Habano, one of the world's most popular cigars. Exhibitors from move than 60 nations will be represented at the event, called the Festival de la Habana.

South Korea
The Asian nation will celebrate Expo 2012, similar to a World's Fair, happening in Yeosu, Korea The Expo takes place from May 12 through August 12. The theme is "The Living Ocean and Coast", with emphasis on preserving ocean habitat and resources. More than 50 countries will present scientific and industrial exhibitions in a World's Fair type of setting. It makes a great reason to visit this fascinating country.

The Netherlands
A visit to Holland is always a delight, particularly in the springtime. That's when Keukenhof Gardens, the world's biggest, blaze into bloom from late April through June. The season officially opens this year on April 21 with a flower-bedecked parade along the garden roadways and nearby countryside. Visitors can roam the grounds among the more than seven million tulips and other brilliantly colored flowers.

The Keukenhof Gardens are about a one-hour train, bus or car trip from Amsterdam, the nation's largest and most popular tourist attraction. A tour boat ride through the extensive series of canals gives a leisurely glimpse of the charming city and the beautiful flowers. Tours can be booked online and some include transportation to and from Amsterdam making it easy for travelers.

Mexican Riviera
The Baja California Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Mexico is one of the most scenic in the world. At the southern tip is the beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas, one of our favorite destinations for a long weekend getaway. There are many beach and ocean activities, and every year from October through March you can ride a local tour boat past the picturesque rock formations to see the annual gray whale migration. We like the area because although developed, it maintains some of the small town Mexican feel and hospitality. We also like how it's only a three-hour flight from Los Angeles.

You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and check out his blog, travel4seniors.com

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