Five Unique New Years Around the World

In New Zealand, it's the middle of the summer too, and currently they are in the heart of their "Endless Summer" festivities in Gisborne. Head to the town center and party with local musical acts at the Countdown at the Town Clock, then wake up leisurely to try your hand at swimming with the dolphins at the Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve or play a round of golf at the Patutahi golf club.

'Forget It, Jake, It's Chinatown'
San Francisco

If you always find New Year's to be a bit anticlimactic no matter how you ring it in, consider celebrating the Chinese New Year this time around, and head out to San Francisco, for the annual Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt.

Your trip will coincide with the usual festivities in the vibrant Chinatown of the Bay Area starting on Jan. 26, and you can certainly ring in the year of the ox with two weeks of gift-giving, fireworks, dragon dances and red packets.

But on Feb. 7, put together a team and run after 16 clues highlighting the uniqueness of the city's history, architecture and some of its more obscure landmarks. Prizes include a cake in the shape of a key and bottles of champagne, with awards going out to the most sleuthy teams, of course, but also for the best-dressed and best-named squads. Tickets range from $30-$40 per person, depending on when you buy, with proceeds going to local charities.