On 21 Dec 2012 the world will come to an end. That is if you believe the Mayan Calendar theory. So before the world comes crashing down, here are 5 things you definitely should check out.

Why 5 and not 10? Well 10 is a lot and after all you do have other things to do and as of this writing you only have 9 months left. So let’s get started with the best things to see before the end of the world.

1. Visit a Museum.

I know, you haven’t been in a museum since that 5^th grade school trip but the world is ending, so see the masterpieces. Pick a great museum such as The Louvre in Paris and see The Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.  Or go to Amsterdam and check out the Dutch Masters. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art or The Vatican Museums would also be great choices. While you’re not at the Museum check out what else these great cities have to offer.

2. Visit the Critters.

Go somewhere that you can get up close and personal with the wildlife. A few good choices are Galapagos Islands for all their wildlife, Komodo Island Indonesia to see the world’s biggest freaking lizard, The Great Barrier Reef and all of its wonders or my favorite, monkeys. To see monkeys in the wild head to Gibraltar, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka or Indonesia. I think besides dogs, all guys like monkeys. Don’t ask me why, it’s a guy thing.

3. Party your butt off.

Since the world is ending might as well have at least one good party before you go. Since we are only looking at the next few months, you still have a few chances left to live it up. Some places to get your party on are Songkran Water Festival held in April in Thailand, just walk outside and you will get soaked but you can also water down everyone else. Glastonbury Music Festival, England, the world’s largest open air Music festival held the last weekend in June or Oktoberfest in Munich Germany held in late September to the first weekend in October are also great destinations.

4. Take a road trip.

A trip along the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy is probably one of the best in Europe. Travel the Patagonia Highway in Chile and Argentina. If you have a month to spare head to Australia, get a 4 wheel drive and travel the 3500 kilometers from Cairns in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia. You could always set out to drive the famed Route 66 in the USA. Road trips are a great way to see the country close up, meet new people and discover some great out of the way places.

5. See awe inspiring mother earth.

Visit The Grand Canyon in the USA, Victoria Falls in Africa, Antarctica, the Swiss Alps, the Amazon rain forest, Milford Sound in New Zealand or one of the world’s fabulous beaches.

All of these places have one thing in common. They are all great locations for travel and there are a lot of things to see and do at each one of them. So if the Mayans are right and the world is going to end then get off your butt and pick some of these to do. Personally I don’t believe the world is going to end but on Dec 21^st 2012 I plan on being on a beach with a bucket of ice cold beer. I might as well be in a nice place when… you know, the Christmas holidays and all.  At any rate I am not telling you which beach because I have one picked out that’s pristine and not crowded.

What travel plans do you have for this year?