From Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Iceland, Norway and the UK, from China and Japan, from South and Central America, you'll marvel at what's in store for the adventure traveler – from their Customs and Traditions to their Food and Fashion. You'll find this a most interesting tour of some of the world's greatest places to visit on your next trip abroad. For a history of New Year's and a listing of these celebrations click here.

One of the most popular traditions around the New Year is making New Year's resolutions, which dates back to the early Babylonians. Their most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Nowadays the most popular resolutions are to lose weight and stop smoking. Many cities from Bologna, Italy to Sydney, Australia to Paris, France and many cities in the United States including New York City celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks.

There are also many eating traditions for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Here's a list of some of them:

Black–Eyed Peas - actually lentils not peas, have been considered good luck since Ancient Egypt and eaten especially in the southern United States.

Lentils represent money. In Brazil they are served with rice and in Italy they are served with pork sausage.

Cabbage also represents money (the leaves look like bills) and is served in Germany, Poland and Scandinavia.

Grapes are eaten in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, one grape at a time, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.

Ollie Bollen – oil balls or puffed doughnuts—are a traditional New Year's treat in Holland.

Osechi-ryori is a combination of foods in Japan, prepared before midnight on December 31, served in layers in lacquered boxes, jubako,and enjoyed until January 3. It is also especially fortunate to eat shrimp, sea bream and long soba noodles.

Of course, there are also foods to avoid, such as anything that flies which might mean that your money and good fortune will fly away in the New Year.

Our final guest, Eve Nagler, is an inveterate traveler. She's been there, done that and has a few good stories about what to see and do, what to bring along, and the rules of the game. Morocco, Patagonia, the Central African Republic, Spain, and the Costa Brava. She'll keep you enthralled. For more info. about Eve and her travels, click here.

Top of Mount Kilimanjaro – October 2002

Standing on the top of Africa is an incredible experience. It is one of those unique times in life when you don't need anybody to congratulate you – you own the moment. I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame route, known by the locals as the "whiskey" route, with my friend Susan Maupin. It took us five days to get to the top (19,340 feet) and another two to climb down. Hiking up Mt. Kilimanjaro, one passes through five ecosystems, beginning in the rain forest and ending in the artic zone.

The hardest part of the journey was the final ascent, where we began hiking in the bitter cold, thin air of midnight to arrive at the top (pictured here) by mid-morning. I cried when I got the top. Climbing Kilimanjaro was the hardest physical challenge of my life, but one that has inspired me to climb other "personal mountains in life," such as working on my doctorate at Harvard.

Patagonia – February 2005

Patagonia, which spans southern Chile and Argentina, is an absolutely gorgeous part of the world. I was thrilled to experience the beauty of it son a three-week backpacking trip with my friend, Susan Maupin. We began our trip hiking "circuit" trek of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile. This was my first full backpacking trip, where we carried our food, water, stove and tent, which was quite different from my prior "slackpacking." For ten days, we hiked from camp site to camp site, passing magnificent lakes, breathtaking mountain views and many lush valleys.

My favorite part of Torres del Paine Park was crossing over the pass, about half-way around the circuit. After hiking for hours through log-filled mudslides and climbing over boulders, we were greeted by the most magnificent glaciers rising up before us; I felt like Dorothy discovering Oz!!! Patagonia is truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited and I look forward to exploring more of it in the future!

Tips for "Traveling on a Thread":

Book your accommodations in advance – Inexpensive yet safe & clean accommodations can be found on hostel websites and booked in advance; YMCA's and YWCA's also provide great budget accommodations abroad.

Bring food - Energy bars, dried/fruit nut mixtures are easy to pack and great to have on hand when you don't like what's offered on a menu…or want to spend extra time in a museum.

Bring a sturdy water bottle - Fill it up at taps and water fountains along the way. It saves you money and is environmentally-friendly.

Bring your own medical kit - Band-Aids, pain relievers and other medicines can be very expensive when purchased abroad. Carrying your own kit saves you time, money and ensures the medications you take are appropriate for you.

Tips for shopping on a "Thread":

Thrift shops – Church- and charity-based thrift shops offer fantastic bargains, great selections and benefit local communities.

Flea markets - many markets feature old and new, antique and trendy items. They are great places to buy gifts for people back home.

Museum Gift Shops - these offer a wide-variety of arts & crafts from the area, frequently take credit cards…and you don't have to bargain!