PICS: The top 6 travel destinations to ring in 2012

The new year is fast approaching. And while everyone seem to be flocking to Goa, we've picked six other amazing places you can go to instead to ring in 2012.

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Contributed by Aashish Gupta, founder of Yellowleg.com -- The Discerning Traveller's Bookstore.

Go hiking through pristine rainforests, Scuba diving, horse riding, or simply enjoy the sand between your toes, crystal clear water for swimming, freshly caught seafood and potent cocktails.

The weather in December is perfect and you can party to the beats of Calypso and Reggae.

It's the party capital of the world, so a New Year's eve turns the The Strip into a huge party scene where thousands turn out to watch live bands and fireworks.

And when the glitz and neon gets to you, head out into the desert for the other wonders of the American Southwest including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Santa Fe & Taos and Arches National Park among others.

New Year's celebrations don't have to be about loud partying with drunken strangers.

Instead you can travel on a houseboat down a network of canals, soothe your soul the Ayurvedic way, or just chill out on a beach or amidst tea plantations with just your closest ones.

The New Year fireworks are reputed to be the best in the world. Sydney Harbour is gorgeous any time of year and the city has great beaches too. And the austral summer is a great time to be Down Under.

Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, you can have some good old-fashioned fun in Santa's official homeland (Rovaniemi).

Kids will love Santa's workshop and reindeer and will be able to skate, ski and hopefully wear themselves out in the snow.

The Santa village is a bit commercial but it's good fun nonetheless.

The beach is central to life in Brazil, especially at New Year.

Millions, dressed in white, come to party on the beach, see amazing fireworks and float an offering on the sea for the year to come.