Fill in the blank:

Christmas _______________.

Isn’t it nice to step off a plane and already know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there? That confidence comes from doing your homework and reading up on your destination beforehand. When I travel with a partner, I am often content to let a trip unfold as it may, but when I’m doing it solo, I feel it’s critical to have a sense of my surroundings and a solid game plan. Things I like to know before I go include how to use public transportation to get to and from the airport, any big-name events or temporary exhibitions coinciding with my stay, and what’s playing in English at the movies.

How confident do you feel when it comes to booking something online in a language in which you’re not particularly fluent? This can be a daunting proposition at first, and of course, since money’s at stake, not something to be entered into lightly. But if you want to snap up the best travel bargains, sometimes you just have to go for it.

It’s all too easy to ignore the good stuff that’s right on our doorsteps. How often do you put off a visit to a museum or site of interest in your own hometown, sure you’ll make it there -- someday?

Here are some things happening in the places many of us call home that might tempt you to make your next cultural foray to someplace close by. Have you heard of anything noteworthy yourself, or have you been to any of these? If so, leave us a note.

Quick, what were the cultural capitals of Europe in 2007? Can’t answer that question? Well, I venture to say that many EU citizens would have been at a loss as well. (For the record, the answers are Sibiu, Romania, and Luxembourg.)

Stuck for ideas on one-day outings to enhance this upcoming long weekend? Here are a few last-minute ideas I came up with, but what’s on your to-do list? If you know of something fun, please let others know by leaving a comment! Thank you.

Germany

Are you one to get a thrill out of seeing a real-live celebrity or otherwise famous person? If so, here are a few events coming up that could give you a chance to do some star-spotting.

Sport:

As of Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 10, train network strikes may take place throughout the days of Oct. 11, 12, 15 and 17. For more, see Forbes' German rail union GdL could strike from Thursday UPDATE.

As of Thursday afternoon, Oct. 4, it appears that the strike will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday morning, Oct. 5. See Bloomberg's German Train Engineers to Strike Three Hours Over Pay.