Travel Picks: Top 10 places to usher in the New Year

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - Food, fireworks or freezing. Cities around the world have different ways of celebrating New Year's Eve and seeing in the new year.

Travel website VirtualTourist.com (www.virtualtourist.com) has come up with a list of the top 10 places to usher in the New Year. This list is not endorsed by Reuters.

"When it comes to New Years, most people seem to either love it or absolutely hate it, so we decided to offer choices that will both excite the optimist and at the very least, amuse the pessimist," said general manager Giampiero Ambrosi.

1. Coney Island; Brooklyn, New York

Although most people associate New York with the ball dropping in Times Square, an even crazier celebration takes place on January 1. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club uses the day to take a dip in the freezing waters of the Atlantic.

2. Sydney, Australia

Few cities can compete with the fireworks displays in Sydney. Not only are revelers treated to seeing the iconic harbor light up the night, but boats passing through are also illuminated in stunning light displays. Plus, it's fun to know you're experiencing the new year far ahead of much of the world.

3. Copacabana Beach; Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Wearing white to symbolize good luck, partiers flock to the beach to offer gifts to the sea goddess and drink champagne. Revelers arrive to watch the spectacular fireworks display, dance, and plant candles in the sand.