TripAdvisor Announces Top Ten New Year's Eve Destinations for 2007

NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- For those that want to experience something other than New York City, London, Paris, Sydney, or the living room for New Year's Eve, TripAdvisor(R), the largest travel community in the world, today announced ten great places to ring in 2007, according to TripAdvisor editors.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Hogmanay Wild

This world renowned street celebration takes place on Edinburgh's legendary royal mile, in the shadow of the magnificent Edinburgh Castle. Scotland is home to the New Year's custom of "first-footing" where neighbors exchange gifts at midnight and where the famous New Year's anthem Auld Lang Syne was originally written by Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Copacabananas

Rio hosts the world's largest New Year's Eve celebration as more than two million revelers descend upon Copacabana Beach for a wild bash. Revelers are witness to an amazing fireworks show on Copacabana Beach and at midnight, celebrants throw flowers into the ocean for sea goddess Yemanja, and often take a late night dip in the Atlantic.

Vienna, Austria: A New Year's with Class-ical

Home to several classical music concerts on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Vienna offers the most elegant celebration to usher in 2007. Guests can partake of private dinner balls hosted by many of the local hotels, or visit the Musikverein Hall or Hofburg Palace for classical music concerts throughout New Year's Eve.

Berlin, Germany: Prosit Neujahr!

Berlin Open End is Germany's premier celebration of the New Year. With numerous live musical performances and an awesome fireworks display framed within the beautiful two mile stretch on Strasse des 17 Juni (between the stunning Brandenburg Gate and Ernst-Reuter-Platz), Berlin is a must see for New Year's Eve.

Miami, Florida: Orange You Glad You Came

Miami offers an incredible amount of variety for New Year's Eve. Visitors can soak in South Beach for the scene (to see and be seen), Bayfront Park for a spectacular fireworks show with live music, or visit the Big Orange Festival at Chopin Plaza for the Big Orange ball drop at midnight.

Shanghai, China: East Meets West

This city features amazing fireworks displays everywhere you go on New Year's. Shanghai combines elements of the western New Year with that of the eastern New Year, particularly evident at the Longhua Temple, where local Buddhists strike a five-ton bell at midnight.

Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Toast

Celebrants will enjoy the Baroque beauty of one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. Revelers can spend the evening at local cafes and pubs in Old Town Square, then take in the remarkable fireworks at Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge on the Vltava River.

Madrid, Spain: Grape Time on New Year's

Those visiting the Spanish capital can experience wonderful street parties, fireworks, and the local 12 grapes eating tradition, where locals must eat one grape at each stroke of midnight and finish by the last stroke (done for good luck).

Vail, Colorado: Celebration on the Slopes

Featuring a torch ski in the late afternoon and fireworks at night, Vail is a mecca for skiers to experience the New Year. While the main streets are closed off for late night revelers, those looking for a more relaxed evening can sit by the fire and enjoy a hot toddy or two after a day on the slopes.

Bruges, Belgium: Bubbly in Belgium

Visitors can enjoy ice skating until three in the morning in the Market Square ice rink or enjoy the celebration in the quaint shops and cafes of this magnificent European city intertwined with waterways.

"TripAdvisor has identified ten outstanding cities for travelers to celebrate New Year's, and each offers an especially festive and unique way to usher in 2007," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor's Top Ten New Year's Resolutions for Travelers

1. Be kind to transportation employees. Offer a smile at check-in, over- tip a taxi driver, hug a security attendant.

2. Have patience. Don't board until your zone is actually called, and please do "remain in your seat with your seat belt buckled until we arrive at the gate."

3. Be environmentally friendly. Turn off the lights when you leave the hotel room and reuse your towels -- we know you do it at home.

4. Wear socks with shoes when traveling. We all suffer in the security line, please don't make it worse.

5. Conserve room in the storage areas. Check a bag for Pete's sake. It's okay ... you can do it, we're here to support you.

6. Become less germaphobic. Shake hands with the passenger next to you. It's friendly, and exposure to germs builds your immune system.

7. Think before you pack. When in doubt leave it at home -- they will confiscate your scissors, you will hold up the lines.

8. Spare us the view at the beach. No one wants to see you in your skimpy swimwear. Seriously.

9. Be yourself and pipe down. Auditions for Borat are closed, so leave the fake accent at home. Also, speaking loudly in English does not help those who speak another language understand you better.

10. Dress nicely while traveling. Draw the line at jeans -- sweatpants and pajamas just look silly.

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