After much research and help from my travel friends…..

Here are a few of the unique ways that others celebrate the New Year:

Ireland-One Irish custom that is to take a large loaf of Christmas bread or cake outside the house and hammer it against the closed doors and windows.  This is done to drive out any misfortune and let happiness in. (Thank you to Andrew,  the Brooklyn Nomad for sharing this family tradition.)

Ecuador-Effigies, typically made of old clothes and stuffed with sawdust and firecrackers,  are burned in New Year’s bonfires. The effigies heads are typically made of paper and shaped to look like celebrities, politicians, and others in representation of the old year. These effigies are then burnt, which is said to drive away evil spirits.

Finland-Folks predict their fortunes for the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water and interpreting the shape the metal takes after it hardens. A heart or ring shape means a wedding, a ship signifies travel, and a pig means lots of good food.

Hungary-Similarly to Ecuador, in Hungary, they burn effigies or a scapegoat known as, “Jack Straw,” which represents the evil and misfortunes of the past year.  Jack Straw is carried around the village before being burnt on the Eve of the New Year. On the New Year morning, people eat cabbage soup and roasted pig. It is said that both are meant to bring good luck for the coming year.

Philipines-Round shapes, which represent coins, symbolize prosperity. In Filipino homes, there are heaps of round fruits on tables. In Fact, some folks eat precisely a dozen fruits at midnight. Also, Polka dots are thought to bring good luck, being round and all, and are quite prominent. People also make loud noises by blowing on cardboard or plastic horns, banging on pots and pans, or by igniting firecrackers at the stroke of midnight, in the belief that it scares away evil spirits and forces.

Belarus-Unmarried women play games to predict who will get hitched in the new year. In one game a pile of corn is put in front of each woman and a rooster is let loose. Whatever pile he approaches first shows which woman will be the first to marry.

Denmark-Old dishes are saved all year to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Year’s Eve. It is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes as it is a symbol that you have many friends.

Portugal-Like their Iberian neighbors, the Portuguese pick and eat twelve grapes from a bunch as the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve. This is done to ensure twelve happy months in the coming year.

Scotland-On what they call Hogmanay, “First footing” (the first foot or visitor in the house after midnight) is still common in Scotland for New Year’s celebration. To ensure good luck for the house, the first foot should bring symbolic coal, shortbread, and/or whisky.

Japan-New Year’s Day, a symbol of renewal, is one of the most important holidays in Japan.  At midnight on December 31st, the Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times in order to dismiss 108 different types of human weaknesses. New Year’s Day itself is a day of joy in which no work is to be done. The children receive small gifts with money inside known as ‘otoshidamas‘.

Mexico-Mexicans, not unlike the Spanish or Portuguese, down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the clock during the New Year’s countdown, while making a wish with each one. On New Year’s Eve, those who want to find love in the new year wear red underwear and yellow if they want money. Other traditions include sweeping the dirt out and taking luggage outside as a symbol of future trips. (Thank you for your tips on the 12 grapes, TransAmericas!)

Italy-Similarly to some of the countries mentioned above such as Mexico, red underwear as a New Year’s symbol of good luck for the coming year. From Traveling Anna, I received good inside “la famiglia” information on “Il Capodanno,” or New Year’s in Italy. Anna added that La Festa di San Silvestro, 12/31, is a huge feast with beans and pork, sometimes even pigs head, which mean good luck and money in the New Year. For a complete guide to Celebrate New Year’s in Italy, here is a list of the top ten ways to celebrate New Year’s in Italy from Travel with Julie. (Grazie Anna and Julie).

In order to capture the many other New Year’s traditions from around the world, some research and assistance was needed.  I must thank my many travel friends, peers, and bloggers who added their traditions. Thanks to:

JourneyWoman, BrooklynNomad,

TransAmericas, TravelDesigned,

TravelwithJulie, and TravelingAnna.

Did we miss any? I invite you to share other traditions that you know of OR how you are celebrating this year.

When you go to Rome there are certain sights that just cannot be missed: the Sistine Chapel, Vatican, Spanish steps, many of the gelato stores, and of course the Coliseum.

My first and only time to Rome was on a very quick 2 day visit in late December about ten years ago. I remember it being a absolutely beautiful city to walk enjoying the architecture, historical ruins, gelato (did I mention that already), and of course art. However, the mobs of tourists made it rather unpleasant. Traveling with my trusty companions from the night in the Turkish Brothel, we all loved Rome, but were amazed at how long the lines were for the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and the hordes of people amongst the Pantheon ruins.

On our last night, we all said that we regretted that we did not have the opportunity to see the Coliseum. How could one visit Rome without visiting the Coliseum? It would be an embarrassment, right?

It was already nightfall, the Coliseum was closed, the streets were rather empty, and it was just about time to find a good take out place for pasta and a bottle of Chianti to share. I don’t know exactly which one of us had the idea, but we came up with a mischievous plan. We were going to break into the Coliseum. From the picture above you can see that there are iron gates to the right that are rather high, but they do have two crossbars that make scaling the gate doable.

So with hearts jumping out of our chests and risking time in an Italian jail, all four of us jumped the gate. With a lift up from Chandra, the 1st over was Katia, a very thin and spry woman, then Nadia, I went 3rd figuring I better go because without the help of Chandra, I didn’t know if I could have lanced my short body over.

All in, we mazed through the dark hallways to get to the center of the Coliseum. It was absolutely majestic with the light from the moon. The shadows playfully created a more accurate picture of what it was in its day…I could imagine it filled with water with boats engaging in war or gladiators and chariots fighting for their lives in front of cheering spectators and the emperor.

Of course, we did this all in complete silence as to not alert the guards that were walking around frequently with flashlights. However, our luck ran out after about 15 minutes, when one of us (who will remain nameless) took a picture with flash and alerted one of the guards to investigate. We hurried to get back to our escape route trying to be as quiet as possible. This time we were all so scared and hurried that there was no need for Chandra. We all made it over the gate without the help of a boost; the adrenaline was enough.

So just by a fraction of a moment, we could have been spending a night in a Roman prison. I guess it would have been a good compliment to Christmas Eve in a Turkish Brothel, but I am glad it didn’t happen that way.

I wouldn’t suggest breaking into the Coliseum, but definitely don’t leave Rome without seeing it. However, if you must scale the walls or jump the gate, it is unforgettable and without the hordes of other tourists. As a recommendation, wear dark clothes, running shoes, and do not take flash photography.