Among 2016 events that might change your travel plans is the possible granting of national park status to this spectacular wilderness next to Chile's Argentine border.
Linde Waidhofer/Conservacion Patagonica
Battle of Somme centenary (France) —
The war graves and battlefields of northern France make for a fascinating and poignant trip. Especially during the 100th anniversary of the First World War's most notorious and bloody engagement.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Presidential elections (United States) —
The Off The Record Bar at Washington D.C.'s Hay-Adams Hotel is a great place to order a cocktail and watch the results roll in after the most eagerly anticipated political battle on the planet.
Hay-Adams Hotel
Copa America Centenario (United States) —
With matches played at stadiums in Pasadena, Chicago, Glendale and Seattle, among others, the 100th anniversary of South America's CONMEBOL soccer federation is likely to further boost the game's popularity across America.
NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images
Tsukiji Fish Market relocation (Tokyo, Japan) —
Dawn visits to this Tokyo institution have become a tourist staple, but its relocation to a purpose-built venue down the road could spell the end of an era.
Keith Tsuji/Getty Images
European Capital of Culture (San Sebastian, Spain) —
The Basque coastal town of San Sebastian could be worth a visit over the next 12 months as it hosts a packed schedule of dance, music and theater to celebrate being named one of 2016's European Capitals of Culture.
courtesy intrepid travel
European Capital of Culture (Wroclaw, Poland) —
San Sebastian shares this year's culture capital honors with the reinvigorated Wroclaw, an architectural goldmine in southwestern Poland.
Cortesy Instagramers Wroclaw
Total solar eclipse (Indonesia, Malaysia and the Pacific) —
March 9's rare total eclipse of the sun is expected to be at its best on the beautiful island of Sulawesi, near Borneo.
ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images
Summer Olympics/Paralympics (Brazil —
The most spectacular sporting events on the planet arrive in one of the world's liveliest countries. Golden moments on the track could be matched by golden travel opportunities -- surfing in Bahia, city time in Sao Paolo and an Amazon adventure.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Shakespeare anniversary (London and Stratford-Upon-Avon) —
The legendary British bard shuffled off this mortal coil 400 years ago. To celebrate, top UK theater companies will be lifting the curtains on special productions in his old haunts.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Transit of Mercury (Morocco, the Sahara and Western Europe) —
Another rare astral event, another excuse to pack bags and head to an incredible destination. This time Zagora in Morocco, one of the Sahara's best stargazing destinations.