New Year's Eve: when gazillions of people around the world search for the ultimate celebration.  Well, frankly I am not one of them!  As for me, guess I'm the ultimate party pooper ... a lovely dinner, nice bottle of wine and wishes to loved ones is my idea of the perfect evening where I likely don't see midnight (on that or most other nights of the year, for that matter!)  While you're thinking about your most memorable NYE, check out what my research found regarding destinations you might want to experience in the future.

1. SAMOA

Samoa, an island in the South Pacific west of Fiji, went back to the future last year when it skipped a full day, changed sides of the International Date Line and went from being the last country to the first to see in the New Year. If you're visiting the island nation on December 31 this year you can look forward to events that are less about fireworks and fanfare and more about family.

After visiting elders, Samoans traditionally welcome January 1 with song and prayer services at large, and loud, choral exhibitions. You won't go hungry -- village banquets are very generous -- or thirsty for that matter, with all festivities beginning and ending with a traditional kava ceremony. Don't forget your ukulele.

2.  EDINBURGH 

Edinburgh is cast aglow at its annual New Year's Eve (Hogmanay) festivities, which kick off on December 30 with a torchlight procession involving more than 25,000 locals. The parade is led by Shetland's Up Helly Aa vikings, with their pipes and drums, and culminates atop Calton Hill with a fireworks display.

There's more to come on New Year's Eve, when an expected 80,000 people will take to the streets to sing Auld Lang Syne -- apparently the biggest and loudest rendition of the song in the world -- and party; this year, entertainment comes courtesy of British bands the Maccabees and the OK Social Club, while Simple Minds will headline at the city's Concert in the Gardens.

  

3. REYKAJAVIK

If you're looking for a different kind of New Year's party, look no further than Reykjavik. Relaxed fireworks laws means you'll find these colorful explosives wherever you happen to be, lighting the way on a day that typically only sees about four hours of sunlight. Gather around one of the many bonfires throughout the city -- you'll get some much needed warmth while learning some Icelandic folk songs in the process. And if you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights to complement the fireworks.

4.  NIAGARA FALLS

Who would think that 40,000 people gather at this iconic spot to hear some of Canada's top performers at an evening (free) concert in Queen Victoria Park followed by brilliant fireworks.  The location is closer to home for most and, if you've never been, really something to see.  

5.  SYDNEY (tied with #6)

From 2010

I am of the opinion that travel to Sydney any time of the year is fantastic!  What a glorious and gorgeous spot with truly nice people, TONS of things to do and enviable weather.  Having said that, it can be really hot come NYE.  Good thing you'll likely want to be somewhere in the harbour area, close to the remarkable bridge for an unparalleled fireworks display.  It won't be an inexpensive evening, mind you -- thrills this great don't come cheap!  

                                                 

6.  HONG KONG

Well, ditto what I said about Sydney and looking forward to visiting Hong Kong again this coming April.  The nightly multimedia light shows (called Symphony of Lights) caught me by surprise when first glimpsed in 2004 when it was in its infancy.  Cannot imagine what it must be like now with so many of the skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor participating.  So even if it weren't New Year's Eve, you'd be in a for a fantastic show.

Wishing one and all that your 2013 is filled with great adventure...