10 Handpicked Travel Hotspots for 2012

When To Go: July 27- August 12

London is going to be one non-stop party throughout the summer as the world converges upon the city for the 2012 Olympic Games. But do you really need a reason to visit London? Samuel Johnson once wrote that "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." And that's true.

Special tip: You'd be hard-pressed to find a place to stay in any hotels or , so seek alternate lodgings in the form of modern vacation rentals or backyard campgrounds.

When to Go: June 10-12

The Ukraine is going to experience a big uptick in tourism for 2012 thanks to their duties as hosts for UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2012 as it's better known). Pretty, picturesque Lviv, a city in the western part of Ukraine, will be hosting a few of the matches. Lviv has been called the "little Paris" of the Ukraine because of the western influence. The city center has been designated a UNESCO site. In addition to Euro 2012, Lviv will be holding an international beer fest to coincide with the matches. Beer vendors from all over the world will gather in Lviv to celebrate the history and culture of beer brewing - and hold a few tasting sessions, too.

Special tip: The Ukraine is well-known to be the home of some of the most attractive women in the world. Just saying.

When To Go: May 26-27

The Golden Gate Bridge turns 75 this year and San Francisco is celebrating with a 2-day festival held in the city. Events such as live music, movie screenings, photography shows, art exhibitions, and bike rides are being organized for visitors.

Special tip: Stay in the east bay (may we recommend this Berkeley vacation rental?) and use the BART to shuttle into San Francisco.

When To Go: From April 2012 onwards

Titanic historians have a special treat in store for 2012. On March 31st, Belfast will open the Titanic Experience, a state-of-the-art interactive museum and educational center that's all about - you guessed it - the Titanic. The ship was built in Belfast and it first set sail on the River Lagan, the river that flows right beside the Titanic experience. At the Titanic Experience you'll be able to follow the history of the ship from its construction to its sinking, and even have a chance to see the Titanic as it is now thanks to an amazing Ocean Exploration Center.

Special Tip: Time to kill? Take a day trip out to Giant's Causeway, an amazing natural formation of balsalt columns that plays a big role in Irish mythology.

When To Go: April 5th-October 7th

The very cool international horticulture festival known as Floriade only takes place once every ten years. 2012 is one of those years! The theme for this year's Floriade is "Be Part of the Theatre in Nature". Organizers are living up to this lofty motto by putting together tons of fun and fresh events such as music performances, film screenings, light shows, and displays by international artist groups. The heart of Floriade will be the Harvest Show, a funky performance of dance and theater performed by artists from Africa and Latin America. And, of course, miles and miles of beautiful flowers.

Special Tip: Visit in the summertime to enjoy extended hours at all Floriade stalls and exhibits, as well as some lounging time in the Floriade Beach club. They'll be televising all of the matches and games from the Olympics and Euro 2012, so don't worry about missing a thing.

When To Go: May 1-8

Get medieval in Orleans when they celebrate Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who led the French to victory over the British and patron saint of France. The Joan of Arc festival is a recreation of the medieval period in Orleans and visitors can participate in all sorts of fun events like an authentic medieval marketplace, jousting matches, battle reenactments, performances, parades, and an awesome light show. The fest has been happening for 500 years, so you can assume that the people of Orleans know how to throw a party.

Special Tip: Take a short trip to Chateau Sully-sur-Loire, a 14th century castle outside of Orleans once visited by Joan of Arc herself.

When To Go: All year

Scandinavia is Europe's hottest region with awards being given for adventurous takes on haute cuisine and high fashion. Finland's getting into the act with their capital city Helsinki being named World Design Capital for 2012. The city will be partying all year with events focused on showing how the integration of design and urban spaces makes Helsinki a model for future cities. No light shows or beach clubs, just art exhibits and tons of educational opportunities for even the casual design lover.

Special Tip: When you get tired of modern design, head over to Porvoo, a medieval town on the Porvoo River that's just 50 km from Helsinki. Go in the cooler months to avoid the crowds, if possible.

When to Go: May 2nd-3rd

Puebla, Mexico is a colonial mountain city that's been coming up as a hot tourist destination for a while now. Mark your calendar for early May because the city is planning a massive celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, better known as Cinco de Mayo, when the Mexicans held off French forces despite being vastly outnumbered. No spring-break style margarita freak-outs here: Puebla will host a large parade with President of Mexico Felipe Calderón serving as marshall and featuring over 50 decorated floats from all over the country.

Special Nomad Tip: Foodies get to Puebla early to take part in the International Mole Festival, during which chefs from all over Mexico and indeed the world will gather to celebrating the iconic (and delicious) Mole Poblano, Puebla's contribution to world cusine.

When to Go: May 11th - June 11th

Cuba is now more accessible than ever to Americans thanks to the Obama administration relaxing travel restrictions. Now it's possible to finally experience the sultry city of Havana, but there are a few caveats. The main one is that, if you're American, you cannot travel to Cuba for purely leisure purposes; your trip must have some cultural value. But don't let that stop you! Apply for a credential to the 11th Havana Biennial, a month-long conference that will draw over 100 Cuban artists to the city, and plan to take in a whole array of seminars, presentations, and exhibits.

Special Tip: Believe it or not, hitchhiking is incredibly normal in Cuba and is often the most economical way to get around the island. There are official hitchhiking stopping points outside of the towns in cities. However always be incredibly careful when hitching and never, never, never do it alone.

When to Go: March 9th-18th

Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World" AND the capital of Texas. It's well-worth trekking down to Texas for the annual South by Southwest Music and Film festival. Thousands of people from all over the world take up residence in Austin during the fest, enjoying performances by international bands and chowing down on authentic Texas BBQ.

Special Tip: Don't try parking in downtown Austin during SXSW. It's impossible. Instead, look for a hotel that's close to any of the stops on the Night Bus route. Most buses run until 3am, so there's plenty of time to party AND get a good night's sleep.