Peter SchimkeThe end of the year is approaching and those with an itch to travel are already considering their options. No matter where you are going to celebrate this special season, be sure to do it well. Not every New Year’s Eve needs to be a big party; a calm and quiet celebration can be just as rewarding. Here are some suggestions on where to go this year. Say goodbye to 2015, and hello to 2016!
Also read: 7 Different New Year Celebrations Around the World
1. East Cape, New Zealand (North Island)
Image credit: Russell James Smith
As the name already suggests, the East Cape on the North Island of New Zealand is the most-eastern spot on the island and therefore also the first place to witness the first sunrise of the New Year. As the end of December is the beginning of summer in New Zealand, many people head to the East Cape to camp out there in peace and quiet.
2. Sydney, Australia
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While New Year’s Eve in New Zealand can be a very tranquil experience, Sydney is celebrating in big and loud. The fireworks at Sydney Harbour is perhaps one of the most famous ones around the world. Although you might have seen it many times on TV, being there for the actual show is an unforgettable experience. Also, it’s summer in Australia at this time of the year – perfect for a vacation!
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
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When it comes to New Year’s Eve in Iceland, you will only witness around four hours of daylight. It’s no secret that Iceland will be very cold at this time of the year, but the people of Iceland have a beautiful tradition that may just make the cold bearable. Besides the obligatory fireworks at midnight, every community will start bonfires as soon as night sets in. This tradition symbolises the burning away of troubles of the previous year. You can look forward to bonfires, music, singing, and dancing and of course, drinking.
4. Bregenz, Austria
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Instead of celebrating New Year’s Eve in a crowded urban centre, switch to a calm and idyllic landscape. The ski slopes of Bregenz are among the most beautiful in Austria. Rent a ski hut with a few friends and spend the evening by the fire with some warming Glühwein. If you are in a good location, you might even see the fireworks from the Lake Constance. Wake up early and be the first on the slopes on New Year’s Day – it’s the ultimate refreshing experience.
5. Madrid, Spain
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Should you be in the Spanish capital for New Year’s Eve, you probably want to go to Puerta del Sol. The square in the middle of the city will be filled with people celebrating the last hours of the old year. It is a tradition in Spain that one should eat twelve grapes in the twelve last seconds before midnight – so do as the locals do. As the streets around Puerta del Sol are filled with bars, you should be going from one bar to the next all night to make it truly Spanish experience.
6. Prague, Czech Republic
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The capital of the Czech Republic is beautiful and worth visiting all year round, but when the city has a snow-white veil hanging above it, Prague becomes truly magical. As winters in the Czech Republic can be harsh, you should prepare yourself with plenty of warm clothes and perhaps some liquor in your pockets. Make your way to the Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square or the Wenceslas Square before midnight and get your white celebration.
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Rio de Janeiro will be home to one of the biggest and wildest parties around the world on New Year’s Eve. Thousands of people flock to the beach at Copacabana to dance, sing, and party, and international top music acts will be there to provide the beat. This celebration is officially the biggest New Year’s Eve party. Make sure you dress all in white, just as the locals do, and throw a handful of flowers into the sea in honour of their sea goddess.
8. New Orleans, United States
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The big easy, as New Orleans is also known, has a reputation for awesome and unforgettable parties – ever heard of Mardi Gras or Tales of the Cocktail? The many bars of Bourbon Street and the Latin Quarter will be filled with wild and outgoing party people. If you are not good with drinks, you should take it easy, as the New Year’s Eve celebration can easily become a very boozy one. At midnight there will be a fireworks display for about 15 minutes alongside the Mississippi river, and that’s when the party really starts.
9. American Samoa, Samoa
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Let’s cheat a little. Samoa allows you to celebrate New Year twice in one year, as they have two islands that are divided by the date line. Samoa is west of American Samoa and one of the very first islands to greet the New Year. As if one celebration in the Pacific blue waters wouldn’t already be awesome enough, you can jump over the dateline to American Samoa, 50 kilometres away. You will be transported back in time – 24 hours to be exact. When the evening comes, you do it all again.
10. Paramaribo, Suriname
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If you are bored with normal fireworks, then you should celebrate New Year’s Eve in Suriname. The city of Paramaribo has a 2 kilometre-long firecracker chain, which is extremely loud (and a little dangerous if you get too close). Pack your earplugs and witness a different kind of celebration, in which the evil spirits are being blasted away. This tradition is called pagara and should be on your list for unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Also Read: 7 Different New Year Celebrations Around the World
