What better day than New Year’s Day to get your travel planning for 2015 underway and to perhaps consider taking a special trip to ring in the next New Year in an exotic destination. Indeed, the best way to make sure you get the most out of your experience is to start planning for next year now. Below are some of the top places to travel throughout the globe (starting east and moving west), with tips to keep you safe and enjoying the festivities, for your New Year’s Eve travels next year.

Sydney, Australia

If you would like to ring in the New Year in a big way, then Sydney is your best bet. The first major city in the world to celebrate the New Year holds two fireworks shows, one at 9pm and one at 12am. Both displays are extensive and will make for memorable parts of what is sure to be an amazing trip. Remember that Hepatitis vaccines are suggested for travel to Australia as can be the yellow fever and japanese encephalitis vaccines, especially if you are planning an extended stay.

Hong Kong, China

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Traveling is one of the most enjoyable life experiences, but, for many, it can be a difficult or even life threatening option. Individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes need to watch their blood sugar very closely and monitor how any spikes may affect their bodies. This factor can make long distance travel seem like a nearly insurmountable task. For the penultimate day of Passport Health’s Holiday Travel Tips countdown, we consider what individuals with Type 2 (or any form of) Diabetes can do to overcome these issues and still have an enjoyable trip.

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As one of the largest private foundations in the world, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has done immense amounts of good throughout the world. In the last few months alone, the foundation has committed over $500 million to fighting Ebola as well as other potentially deadly diseases that are currently affecting the developing world.

The Gates Foundation’s mission is to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty throughout the world, while focusing on United States-based efforts as well. Supported by donations from Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, and his wife, Melinda, as well as business magnate Warren Buffett and other investors, the foundation has been able to support major efforts through grants, direct donations, and other means of financing.

The foundation itself is divided into four sectors: Global Development Division, Global Health Division, United States Division, and the Global Policy & Advocacy Division.

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In the previous posts in the Passport Health Holiday Travel Tips Series, we have discussed tips that will help you have a fun and safe trip, wherever your travels may take you. However, there is one piece of advice that is more important than nearly any other when it comes to preventing disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best prevention of almost any disease is being vaccinated (assuming a vaccine is available for that illness). Here are three vaccines that should be considered before your next trip.

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Although traveling is one of the most fun parts of life, it can also be extremely stressful. From the flight, to navigating the roads in a foreign country, to hailing a taxi when you do not speak the language, there are many transportation related issues that can make travel stressful. However, transportation does not have to become a travel woe. With a little prior planning, getting around your destination can be a breeze. For this installation in Passport Health’s holiday travel tips countdown, we review how transportation in your destination can be made less stressful.

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