With the Christmas now officially over, and as the days draw closer to December 31, people get frantic for yet another celebration. Those who have planned early (like a year or several months ago) must be on their chosen destination now or on board a craft that would take them there. Deciding now would be a little too late for New Year 2015, but still early for 2016.
New Year is a great day to be some place where crowds gather to make the countdown to 2015. Times Square in New York is a fabulous New Year’s destination and so is its namesake Times Square in Hong Kong. If you can choose where to spend your New Year, where would you be this December 31 midnight, if not now by the end of next year? Check out these suggestions made in the article “New Year’s Eve: the world’s best places to celebrate” posted in The Independent –Travel Section.
… There are, of course, many great ways to welcome 2015 close to home, whether it’s watching the fireworks in London from the banks of the River Thames (an event that will be ticketed for the first time this year, priced at £10 per person), joining in the extravagant Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, or simply popping a bottle of bubbly at home.
But hop on a plane and you will find some of the world’s biggest and best parties taking place on 31 December, from concerts on the sand in Rio to blockbuster bonfires in Reykjavik. We’ve picked out some of the top places to celebrate New Year’s Eve, so get your dancing shoes on.
The article suggested 9 destinations: Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Berlin, New Orleans, and Niagara Falls, and here’s why:
- Sydney: If you choose to celebrate here, you can be among the first to greet 2015 being about 11 hours ahead of UK. You can board any of the 50 boats of the illuminated flotilla to have a fabulous time watching fireworks display over the world-famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Rio de Janeiro: New Year is among the biggest event in this country. With its colorful customs and traditions, imagine the fun you’ll have here – fireworks, music, dancing – along with mouth-watering gastronomic fares that are all unforgettable.
- New York: Considered as among the glitteriest event in the planet, every traveler dreams of spending a New Year here. The event is marked by performances of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
- Reykjavik: In this Iceland capital, there are more than fireworks during New Years. Bonfires are very traditional, so dress up warmly before heading to one of these dotting the city. Go and join the locals meet New Year with singing and dancing.
- Amsterdam: How does a nautical theme sound? With New Year festivities held right in front of The Amsterdam, a cargo ship, and the National Maritime Museum, nautical flavor can render the celebration all too unique and irresistible.
- Hong Kong: If you have penchant for the most extravagant pyrotechnic shows and firework displays, the one held yearly in the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong won’t fail you. The event dramatically ends with the dropping of a glittering ball, a replica of the one in the Times Square, New York to mark the countdown to midnight. In Hong Kong, you stand to get the best seat in the house on board a “countdown cruise” or in the Avenue of Stars.
- Berlin: This is another destination where a throng of revelers meet. The iconic location between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate is the spot best known for really big parties right there in the streets
- New Orleans: Missed or wanting to experience the Mardi Gras? You can get the feel right at New Orleans with the fireworks display set off from a steamboat cruising along the Mississippi River, the annual tradition of “Fleur de Lis Drop” and Jackson Square’s live, booming entertainment.
- Niagara Falls: New Year parties here are just as big as the falls. Head off to Victoria Park for a fireworks display, a spectacular view of the falls and some great country music from Keith Urban and Nick Jonas.
As the clock ticks close to midnight, where will you be? Wherever you may sing “Auld lang Syne” it will still be fun when you are spending it with people you care to be with. If you are not in any of these nine fabulous destinations, don’t worry, there is always the next New Year.
