Celebrate abroad: Our favourite destinations for a New Year’s getaway
From breathtaking fireworks displays in capital cities to all-night parties on blissed-out beaches, there’s no shortage of incredible places to visit for a New Year’s getaway.
Whether you're looking for a big party, an escape from the dreary winter weather, or a private retreat to celebrate the occasion with loved ones, New Year presents a perfect opportunity to get away. Countries all over the world mark the occasion by putting on a number of extravaganzas and exciting events that attract travellers from all across the globe.
In this blog post, we will look at the greatest places to welcome the New Year in style and where the best places to stay are whilst visiting.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh's historic Hogmanay celebrations, which draw over 70,000 people annually, have made the Scottish capital one of the most popular cities in the world to enjoy the New Year’s celebrations.
Hogmanay is a three-day Scottish tradition that dates back centuries and is considered by many as one of the nation’s most important holidays. Over the three days, a variety of events, both large and small, take place across the city. Hogmanay has the city bursting with vibrant Scottish culture, filled with traditional events and parades that pay homage to Celtic traditions. The annual torchlight procession pays special tribute to Celtic history, with thousands of locals parading through the city holding flaming torches and chanting Gaelic rhymes.
Edinburgh’s main Hogmanay Street Party usually takes place on Princes Street and sees huge crowds of revellers enjoy spectacular live music performances from popular Scottish artists, breathtaking firework displays, and several free New Year’s Day family events.
However, the Scottish capital has more to offer than just Hogmanay when it comes to New Year's festivities. Many local residents choose to celebrate New Year's differently, spending time in cosy pubs and cocktail bars across the city. If this sounds like a more appealing alternative, you can head to Rose Street for some well-known Scottish pub hospitality or George Street for a sophisticated martini in the capital. After a few drinks, many head to Inverleith Park to watch Edinburgh Castle’s midnight display, which according to locals, has the best view of the fireworks display.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay for the celebrations, you are not short of options in the Scottish capital. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, you can experience a sense of elegance at The Balmoral, which offers stunning views of the city's famous skyline or celebrate in style at Chevel The Edinburgh Grand, which offers a variety of lavish, artistically weaved furnishings and facilities. If you're searching for a cheaper but comfortable place to stay, consider spending a few nights at the peaceful, meticulously designed, Eden Locke or try one of the uniquely styled rooms and suites in Nira Caledonia, which blend modern features with classic elegance.
New York City
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from all across the globe gather in New York City to attend Times Square’s annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop ceremony. Visitors enjoy the dazzling lights and lively atmosphere as they bid a collective farewell to the past year. Both locals and tourists will watch the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball descend from the top of the flagpole at 11.59pm and reach One Times Square when the clock strikes midnight.
The celebration is a free event that is open to the public on a first-come first-served basis. New Yorkers claim that the Renaissance Hotel’s R Lounge, which offers unrivalled views of Manhattan, is the best place to watch the event take place.
However, many New Yorkers choose to avoid Manhattan on New Year's Eve and head to Brooklyn to celebrate instead. Brooklyn’s alternative to the New Year’s Eve Ball, the Prospect Park firework display, is a spectacular celebration that offers an exceptional fireworks show, festivities, and live music. Many also head to Brooklyn Bridge to watch the displays in both the New York Harbor and Staten Island from a distance.
If you are considering a New Year’s getaway in the Big Apple, there are a variety of highly-rated hotels for you to choose from. If you're looking for a more luxurious city break, the 5-star Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue, which is well-known for its prestigious elegance and unmatched level of service, is just steps away from Central Park and would be the perfect destination for anyone hoping to ring in the new year in style. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, Pod 51 is popular amongst tourists in the city. The hotel is situated in Midtown Manhattan and boasts a majestic rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of New York skyscrapers. As well as this, the hotel is only a 20-minute walk away from Times Square!
Paris
Could you think of a better place to spend the New Year’s celebrations than in the city of love? Paris hosts an abundance of thrilling events and activities on New Year that attract a large number of visitors each year, including city tours, firework displays and street parties.
The Champs-Elysées is unquestionably the centre of the action and the most iconic place in the city to ring in the new year. The world-famous landmark, which spans almost two kilometres, hosts an extravagant block party that features light shows, live music, and firework displays that stretch from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
There are, however, many other exciting events you can participate in alongside many Paris natives. If you would prefer to spend the evening in a smaller crowd, you can head over to a street party in Sacré-Coeur, which hosts an entertaining, yet significantly calmer, celebration.
If you want to start the new year in a more peaceful manner, you can take a relaxing New Year’s Eve dinner cruise along the Seine and enjoy views of the fireworks and light shows from afar in a luxurious setting. Or if you’re after a peaceful experience but boats aren’t your thing, you can visit the popular Wanderlust restaurant and relax and enjoy the views from their cosy rooftop terrace.
If you intend to spend New Year's Eve in the city of romance, there are an array of options for accommodation. If you're looking for a hotel thriving with history and culture, you mark the occasion at Le Meurice, a creative sanctuary that has hosted legends such as Dali and Picasso. Or, as a more cost-friendly alternative, you can stay in one of Paris' charming Airbnbs located close to the city centre. Most of these centrally located Airbnb’s are within walking distance of the most popular attractions, museums, and even shops and markets for those looking to do some New Year's shopping
Sydney
Sydney is without a doubt one of the greatest places in the world to begin the New Year due to its outstanding fireworks displays, exclusive island parties, harbour cruises, and rooftop bars. Each year, more than a million locals and tourists gather along Sydney Harbor's waterfront to witness the spectacular show and reminisce about the past year whilst celebrating the beginning of a new one.
On New Year's Eve, as the clock approaches midnight, Sydney has an electrifying atmosphere hosting a variety of activities to celebrate. A popular excursion for both locals and visitors is boarding one of the many Sydney Harbour Cruises to watch the display. Every cruise docks at an obstruction-free viewpoint, and includes an all-inclusive lavish dinner spread, onboard entertainment, and a free flow of alcohol!
Alternatively, if the thought of a cruise makes you nauseous, there are 49 vantage points across the Sydney Harbour where you can kick off the New Year. East Circular Quay, Blues Point, The Sydney Opera House, Observatory Hill Park and Bradfield Park are among the most popular viewpoints in the city for the world-famous fireworks show.
If you’re the type of person who would rather watch the display from the comfort of your hotel room, you’re in luck, because there are several high-end and budget hotels situated along the Sydney waterfront. You can enjoy 5-star views of the display from the harbour’s edge at the Four Seasons Sydney, or alternatively, for a more affordable yet elegant experience, mark the beginning of the new year at North Sydney Harbourview Hotel.
London
Looking for a celebration that won't require you to travel too far from home? Then London could be the perfect choice for your New Year's getaway! New Year's Eve in a city known for its vibrancy, dynamic energy, and excitement is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
England's capital hosts an incredible celebration, complete with astonishing fireworks displays that stretch from Victoria Embankment to Westminster Bridge, club and street parties all over the city, and a long list of luxurious river cruises that take you past some of the most famous landmarks in the city.
Many locals however tend to stay away from the large crowds in the capital and celebrate New Year with a few drinks and a view from afar. Due to their jaw-dropping views of the displays and prime central locations, some of the most popular rooftop bars to celebrate are Bar Elba, Aqua Shard, Skylon and 8 At The Londoner. Many also head to dance the night away at ticketed events in the best clubs across the city, including The Steel Yard, E1, Fabric and Drumsheds.
The celebrations don’t stop there either, as London offers a wide range of activities on New Year’s Day. You can go ice skating on one of the capital's coolest ice rinks, including those at Hampton Court Palace and Westfield, or make the most of your last chance to visit Christmas at Kew and Winter Wonderland.
If you are planning a trip to the city over the New Year’s period, there are plenty of options for places to stay available to you. You can combine comfort and convenience with unparalleled views of the river Thames at the Tower Hotel, or take advantage of a comfortable yet inexpensive stay in Central’s Travelodge, Premier Inn or easyHotel.
Rio de Janeiro
Any time of year is a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro, but it's even more spectacular during the New Year's festivities when the locals really start to let their hair down and party. This time of year in Brazil is virtually summertime, so instead of gathering in hot indoor clubs, most partygoers take the celebration outside and head to the famous Copacabana Beach.
The Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro is the stage of one of the biggest and wildest New Year’s Eve parties in the world. The 2.5-mile-long beach attracts around two million Brazilians and visitors each year who head to the capital to experience authentic Brazilian festivities and culture. The night features a 15-minute long spectacular fireworks show, live music performances by well-known Brazilian musicians, and an exploration of local traditions including jongo and samba dancing.
The New Year's display in the Brazilian capital is more than just a tourist attraction. For the local Cariocas (Rio residents), New Year's Eve on Copacabana Beach is one of the most significant events of the year. The locals see the celebration as a chance to start over, recharge, reflect on the year's negative experiences, express gratitude and show appreciation for life! This incredible party is made even more memorable by the locals' love for the celebrations, which they continue to take part in year after year.
There are plenty of hotels to stay in the city if you want to feel the thrill and excitement of a Rio party for yourself. If you want to go all out, you can stay at the Belmond Copacabana Palace, which offers exclusive views of the festivities. Alternatively, if you're looking for something more reasonably priced but still with a sense of elegance, the Mama Ruisa Hotel is a popular charming guesthouse that boasts a homely, comfortable feel.
If we’ve managed to convince you to celebrate in style this year and head on a New Year's getaway to one of these destinations, it’s not too late to book your trip!
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