New Year’s Eve always brings mixed feelings of contrasting emotions which on the one hand look back on the successes and failures, the sorrows and happiness of the year that has gone by and on the other hand leads to bated anticipation and hopes of a better future in the forthcoming year. It is the time when we try to analyse our performance in the departing year and make resolutions for a happier and more successful new year. The best way to do so and to relax to give your tired nerves some rest is to just get away from your usual habitat and take a trip to some exotic place other than the usual holiday destinations. If you are staying in London executive rooms, you will find quite a change when you visit some of these out-of-the-ordinary destinations.
Helsinki
If you are interested in spending the New Year’s Eve at a quiet retreat in one of the most underrated getaways in Europe, the best option is to go to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. You will find it to be a quiet, cosy and an inexpensive place to stay. The city centre offers a great mix of art, culture and exotic night life and as such, most residents and visitors to the city hang out at this location on New Year’s Eve. The main historical centre, however, is Senate Square which is where the city’s countdown, fireworks display and live music take place and can be compared to what happens at any big party. However, since the winter is very severe during the December/January period, it is advisable to be properly dressed with enough warm clothes in order to be able to enjoy the celebrations. The city also organises Lux Helsinki on the first of January which is a free, open festival of lights so that residents remain cheerful during the cold and dark winter months up to the spring season. The buildings, streets and public spaces are lit up by a team of local and international artists who set up installations around the city for this purpose. Helsinki soon transforms into a surreal wonderland. Spending your New Year’s Eve at this city will be a great experience that you will not forget for a long time.
Zimbabwe
If you truly wish to go far from everyday life where you will not get any mobile phone signal and your only companions will be hippos and crocodiles, all that you need to do is to go to Lake Kariba on the Zimbabwe – Zambia border where you can have a fantastic family trip or a getaway for you and your friends staying in a house boat. You might also stay with your partner but it would work out to be very expensive if only two people are staying. There is a diverse range of options available for staying in a house boat and as such you can find one to suit your group, needs or budget. At this location, you will be staying in the lap of Mother Nature in the midst of an eerie silence, fish eagles calling out at sunset and the noise of water splashing against the bow. Your only source of entertainment will be a fishing rod and you will have a completely different type of wild party on New Year’s Eve.
Dubai
With Dubai gradually transforming itself into the retail capital of the world and with its luxurious offerings, it plays host to some of the most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties in the world. The main celebrations are in Downtown Dubai where a large crowd attends a dance and musical performance followed by some of the best fireworks displays in the world that illuminate the glittering skyline. There is a high demand for a table at the various rooftop bars and restaurants which get fully booked for the night, well in advance as people do not want to miss the incredible show that takes place at midnight. A massive New Year’s Eve party also takes place at the Meydan Grandstand featuring the topmost pop music artists.
Kiribati, Pacific Ocean
If you truly wish to get away from civilisation on New Year’s Eve, you should go to Kiribati which is a thinly populated Micronesian atoll that was almost destroyed during World War Two. The remote islands seem to be miles away from the modern world and people there might not even have heard of internet or sprawling shopping malls but it has its own specialities. Kiribati has unbelievably beautiful beaches and splashing blue waters all around it and it is not affected by any rush hour traffic. Although there are no luxury hotels, the people offer personalised services because of their friendliness and hospitality. Staying at this beautiful location on New Year’s Eve is in itself a fantastic experience even though there are no crazy parties. The most common tourists are divers who can see the sunken remains of battleships in the lagoons, where exciting sea life thrives. Although no modern facilities are available and even fruits and vegetables are in short supply, the people are friendly and the place is safe and captivating in more ways than one.
Newquay, England
If you are looking for a British seaside destination, Newquay is the place to go where you will be able to experience summertime fun on New Year’s Eve. The town’s bars and clubs are all agog with fantastic offerings and magical fireworks display on the beach as the clock signals midnight. You can find cheap and plenty of accommodation as December is the off-season.
Helsinki
If you are interested in spending the New Year’s Eve at a quiet retreat in one of the most underrated getaways in Europe, the best option is to go to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. You will find it to be a quiet, cosy and an inexpensive place to stay. The city centre offers a great mix of art, culture and exotic night life and as such, most residents and visitors to the city hang out at this location on New Year’s Eve. The main historical centre, however, is Senate Square which is where the city’s countdown, fireworks display and live music take place and can be compared to what happens at any big party. However, since the winter is very severe during the December/January period, it is advisable to be properly dressed with enough warm clothes in order to be able to enjoy the celebrations. The city also organises Lux Helsinki on the first of January which is a free, open festival of lights so that residents remain cheerful during the cold and dark winter months up to the spring season. The buildings, streets and public spaces are lit up by a team of local and international artists who set up installations around the city for this purpose. Helsinki soon transforms into a surreal wonderland. Spending your New Year’s Eve at this city will be a great experience that you will not forget for a long time. Zimbabwe
If you truly wish to go far from everyday life where you will not get any mobile phone signal and your only companions will be hippos and crocodiles, all that you need to do is to go to Lake Kariba on the Zimbabwe – Zambia border where you can have a fantastic family trip or a getaway for you and your friends staying in a house boat. You might also stay with your partner but it would work out to be very expensive if only two people are staying. There is a diverse range of options available for staying in a house boat and as such you can find one to suit your group, needs or budget. At this location, you will be staying in the lap of Mother Nature in the midst of an eerie silence, fish eagles calling out at sunset and the noise of water splashing against the bow. Your only source of entertainment will be a fishing rod and you will have a completely different type of wild party on New Year’s Eve.
Dubai
With Dubai gradually transforming itself into the retail capital of the world and with its luxurious offerings, it plays host to some of the most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties in the world. The main celebrations are in Downtown Dubai where a large crowd attends a dance and musical performance followed by some of the best fireworks displays in the world that illuminate the glittering skyline. There is a high demand for a table at the various rooftop bars and restaurants which get fully booked for the night, well in advance as people do not want to miss the incredible show that takes place at midnight. A massive New Year’s Eve party also takes place at the Meydan Grandstand featuring the topmost pop music artists.
Kiribati, Pacific Ocean
If you truly wish to get away from civilisation on New Year’s Eve, you should go to Kiribati which is a thinly populated Micronesian atoll that was almost destroyed during World War Two. The remote islands seem to be miles away from the modern world and people there might not even have heard of internet or sprawling shopping malls but it has its own specialities. Kiribati has unbelievably beautiful beaches and splashing blue waters all around it and it is not affected by any rush hour traffic. Although there are no luxury hotels, the people offer personalised services because of their friendliness and hospitality. Staying at this beautiful location on New Year’s Eve is in itself a fantastic experience even though there are no crazy parties. The most common tourists are divers who can see the sunken remains of battleships in the lagoons, where exciting sea life thrives. Although no modern facilities are available and even fruits and vegetables are in short supply, the people are friendly and the place is safe and captivating in more ways than one.
Newquay, England
If you are looking for a British seaside destination, Newquay is the place to go where you will be able to experience summertime fun on New Year’s Eve. The town’s bars and clubs are all agog with fantastic offerings and magical fireworks display on the beach as the clock signals midnight. You can find cheap and plenty of accommodation as December is the off-season.
