NEWTON, Mass., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's most trusted source of travel advice, today announced the top 10 extreme New Year's celebrations in the U.S. and Europe, according to TripAdvisor editors. For travelers looking to feel a surge of adrenaline, or work up a sweat while ringing in 2010, these exceptional New Year's events offer extreme outdoor activities and celebrations sure to push travelers' limits.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/tripadvisor/37985/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091222/NY29550 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO )

For those still in search of a New Year's Eve hotel, TripAdvisor.com site data has revealed Tampa, with average hotel rates of $139, as the top last-minute bargain destination among major U.S. cities for a hotel stay on the night of December 31. New York City, with average hotel rates at $619, is the most 'extremely' priced destination for a last-minute getaway on New Year's Eve.

1. 'Nude' Year's Eve: Miami, Florida

For those who can't decide what to wear for the big night, Miami's 'Nude Year's Eve' celebration on Haulover Beach lets 500 bold travelers ditch the threads and go au natural. Who needs a full moon to gaze at, when you're surrounded by fellow moon-ers who dare to bare? All-inclusive tickets cost $129.

2. Loony Dip: Edinburgh, Scotland

Part of the world-famous Hogmanay celebration, this year marks the 24th annual "Loony Dook," a freezing, watery wake-up call in Edinburgh on New Year's Day. At noon, more than 600 'Loonies' parade in their 'fancy dress' (a.k.a. costumes) behind a band of pipers before taking a dip into the chilly waters of the River Forth.

3. Light a Torch: Girdwood, Alaska

Strap on the skis, grab hold of a fiery pole, and join hundreds of intrepid skiers as they traverse down Mount Alyeska's slopes in the darkness at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Officially called a Torchlight Parade, this tradition is open only to participants 14 years or older who are intermediate level skiers and snowboarders.

4. Festive Freefall: Zephyrhills, Florida

Travelers - or fliers to be exact - can literally get the party jumping with a midnight skydive from 14,000 feet. This year, some 600 bold skydivers from across the world are expected to jump over Zephyrhills as part of the Christmas and New Year's Skydive Boogie, run out of Skydive City at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

5. Party with Paddles: San Francisco, California

To participate in a truly unique New Year's Eve celebration off shore, up to thirty travelers can sign up with City Kayak, a local tour company, to paddle around San Francisco Bay while experiencing the city's best view of the fireworks. First time kayakers are prohibited, and tickets start at $97 for adults and $87 for kids.

6. Sea of Orange: Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands

At noon on New Year's Day, the North Sea off of Scheveningen Beach will take on a brighter hue, when 10,000 daring participants wearing vibrant orange hats and quirky garb descend upon The Hague's popular seaside resort district for the annual Nieuwjaarsduik, or New Year's Dive. Thick-skinned swimmers will endure frigid sea temperatures for a good cause, as one Euro per participant will be donated to a local charity.

7. The Other Bubbly: Torrevieja, Spain

For those truly looking to soak up the New Year, Max Scuba Diving in Torrevieja plans to host an underwater dive in support of Project Aware, a foundation dedicated to conserving underwater environments. The splash down takes place after dark and is open to any level of certified diver. All proceeds for this event will go to Project Aware.

8. Celebratory Sprint: New York, New York

For the uber passionate runners out there, or those just looking to work off holiday meals, the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run four mile race through Central Park is an ideal New Year's Eve event. With a fireworks show and costume parade thrown into the mix, this celebration is expected to bring out 5,000 jolly joggers beginning at 10 p.m. Entry fees range from $35-55.

9. Pucker Up: Venice, Italy

On New Year's Eve, more than 60,000 people will welcome 2010 by locking lips in Venice's San Marco Square as part of "Love 2010," the world's largest communal kiss. A unique way to warm up and get your heart thumping, this annual event aims to be a worldwide symbol of love, peace and brotherhood.

10. A Nose for New Year's: Barcelona, Spain

With the goal of ending 2009 in "the most sporting way possible," the city of Barcelona expects more than 4,300 "noses" to hit the pavement for a 10 kilometer road race on December 31 at 5:30 p.m. Called the Cursa dels Nassos, or "Race of the Noses," the event is named after the man of many noses of Catalan legend who only appears on New Year's Eve. Registration is open until December 27 and costs 12 Euros to participate.

"New Year's Eve is a great excuse for travelers to let their hair down and push their limits," said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, or just want to get a jump start on your resolution to become more active, we've identified some exceptionally extreme events to get pulses racing in 2010."

About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor® Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts more than 36 million monthly visitors* across 15 popular travel brands: TripAdvisor®, www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.frequentflier.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25 million monthly visitors*, 15 million registered members and 30 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover more than one million destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it), Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es), India (http://www.tripadvisor.in), Japan (http://www.tripadvisor.jp), Portugal and Brazil (http://www.tripadvisor.com.br), Sweden (http://www.tripadvisor.se), The Netherlands (http://nl.tripadvisor.com) and Canada (http://www.tripadvisor.ca). TripAdvisor also operates in China under the brand daodao.com (http://www.daodao.com) and Kuxun.cn (http://www.kuxun.cn). TripAdvisor® Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

©2009 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix, July 2009

Video: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/tripadvisor/37985 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091222/NY29550
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: TripAdvisor

Web site: http://www.tripadvisor.com/