10 great places around the world to greet 2009

— -- New Year's Eve is a special occasion, why not spend it in a special place? Mahdad Taheri, founder of newyears.noo.com, shares his list of favorite New Year's Eve party destinations with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.

The StripLas Vegas Coordinated fireworks are launched at midnight from eight locations along the Vegas Strip in this most renowned of the nation's party towns. "In addition to the fireworks, guests can go downtown and join 'America's Party,' a New Year's Eve event with live music on Fremont Street," Taheri says. "Visitors also can enjoy a light-and-sound show featuring 12 million LED lamps illuminated on an overhead canopy above Fremont Street." 877-847-4858; visitlasvegas.com

BostonFirst Night Celebration, founded by a group of local artists and residents in 1976, has grown to a major festival with more than 40 indoor and outdoor events throughout downtown. "Make sure you check out the Mardi-Gras style grand procession that winds through the street," Taheri says. "This unique event is truly a life experience." The concept is so popular that it has spread around the country, including several in New York state. 617-542-1399; firstnight.org

Sydney HarbourAustralia "Join up to 1.5 millions spectators lining the Sydney Harbour foreshore to ring in one of the first New Year's Eve celebrations in the world," thanks to the International Dateline, Taheri says. "The Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks display involves seven barges, pontoons, city buildings and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the centerpiece. Down Under is the place to be for the dawning of 2009." sydneynewyearseve.com

London"Approximately 700,000 revelers descend on the Thames River and central London to hear Big Ben signal the start of the New Year and watch fireworks launched from the London Eye," Taheri says. "The best viewing is from Westminster and Waterloo bridges and the north embankment of the river, opposite the Eye." Alternatively, go to Trafalgar Square, another hip spot to join the cheering crowds. visitlondon.com