There are plenty of events worldwide in 2010 to keep travellers happy. (Comstock Complete)

Q: What are some big world events planned for 2010?

-- M. ABBAS, SCARBOROUGH

South Africa has the FIFA World Cup, between June 11 to July 11. See fifa.com/worldcup.

In Mexico, it'll be the Bicentennial Independence Celebrations and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution. See bicentenario.gob.mx/english.

Munich is celebrating 200 years of Oktoberfest (oktoberfest.de/en/) from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3, while Meissen, Germany's famous porcelain factory capital, is set to celebrate its 300th anniversary. Events are planned year-round. See friedrich.meissen.com/?lang=1.

Q: My passport expires this year. What do I have to do to replace it?

-- R. LEWES, MISSISSAUGA

A: Passport Canada has made it easier for Canadians to obtain new passports. Passport holders can download an eight-page guide that includes a simplified renewal form from passportcanada.gc.ca. It contains all the information you need to get a new passport.

Make sure you fill out all the required sections or your application will be rejected. The fee for Canadian adults (over the age of 16 years) is $87, which includes a $25 consular service fee and $62 passport fee. For more information, call 1-800-567-6868.

-- E. MUELLER, TORONTO

ILONA@MYCOMPASS.CA