New Year’s Eve is a night loaded with meaning. Will you breathe a sigh of relief, happy to bid farewell to a year of strife? Will you try to squeeze every last drop of champagne-soaked celebration from the evening, desperate not to let go of the best year of your life? Are you planning to get down on one knee, to mark the year’s date of most significance with a gesture worthy of the fireworks and toasting? Might you finally make a move on the object of your year’s affection, buoyed by occasion and booze? Or will you sit alone in a darkened room, rocking back and forth and wondering if next year will be any kinder? Well, we here at IDEAL know which way we prefer the cookie the crumble, and with that in mind, here are our 5 IDEAL destinations for a rollicking send off to 2017.
New York
Look up New Year’s Eve in the dictionary and a picture of iconic New York festivities is sure to appear. NYE in NYC is the benchmark for which all other frivolities must aspire to match. Times Square sees the world famous ‘ball-drop’, soundtracked by famous musicians and the sound of one million (yes, one MILLION) revellers chorusing a countdown. Nothing can take a bite out of the Big Apple for lights, glitz and glamour. Just be warned – there will be crowds.
Sydney
Pictures of the Opera House lit up by fireworks are some of the most shared worldwide each year. Because Sydney is a city which makes much use of its surrounding water, boat trips are an integral part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. If you’re planning to be in and around the harbour it’s advisable to book early, as places sell-out. You can, however, find free spots from which to watch the fireworks in relative peace; try North Head or Robertson Park. In Australia, the Eve celebrations tend to just be a precursor to the hedonistic booze-up of New Year’s Day itself. Venues across the city provide all-day (and night) parties with dancing and much merriment, so don’t expend all of your energy on the previous evening. That’s if you have any self-restraint – we don’t.
Dubai
You can rely on Dubai to throw a completely over-the-top, opulent bash and for the biggest one of them all, they really do go all out. Each juggernaut hotel seems to be in competition for who can light up the sky with the most grandeur; a duel resulting in jewels thrown across the Middle-Eastern sky. When you’ve got the planet’s tallest building (the Burj Khalifa) in your armoury, it’s safe to say revellers can rely on views unrivalled anywhere in the world. Check in with Dubai Holidays before booking your trip, as they regularly offer exclusive deals as well as tips on how the beat the burgeoning crowds on the big night.
Edinburgh
Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s celebrations) in Edinburgh has earned international repute through its boisterous knees up and emphasis on tradition. It’s a three day extravaganza, beginning on the 30th December with the Torchlight procession, running into the grand fireworks display on the night of the 31st and finally, culminating in the Loony Dook, a fancy-dress fuelled plunge into the city’s River Forth. Scotland in Winter is cold at the best of times, even before you consider a dip in freezing cold water, so be warned, this one is not for the faint hearted. Take in views of the evening’s fireworks from a high vantage point, which Edinburgh has plenty of, for maximum exposure to the illuminated Scottish skies.
Berlin
Berlin’s NYE celebrations center around the iconic Brandenburg Gate, which is party-primed and pedestrianised for the night. Festival vibes fill the air, with DJs, live performances from major artists, and food trucks catering to your every hunger pang. I think we’ve talked about fireworks enough, but it goes without saying that the ones here are spectacular, as you ought expect from a party which calls itself the biggest street party on the New Year’s Eve Calendar. Berlin is world-famous for a diverse, edgy and exciting nightlife and all those characteristics are turned up to 11 for the biggest night of the year. Europe’s finest, in our view.