5 Best Places Around the World to Bring in the New Year

Imagine bringing in the New Year in a Swiss chalet or farewelling the old and welcoming the new in an icicle-adorned palace. How about marking the event in Paris or celebrating New Year’s with the finest of Italian wine in Tuscany? Life is too short to let a truly exciting New Year’s pass you by, so to soak up some culture and enjoy the finest of festivities this New Year’s Eve, why not visit one of these five best locations?

1. Austria

If you’re after a New Year’s that’s fit for a king, then look no further than Austria. Made famous as the location for “The Sound of Music”, the sumptuous Rococo Palace, Schloss Leopoldskron near Salzburg, opens its door to guests for a gala dinner, dancing and fireworks. Tour companies such as Albatross Tours have New Year’s Eve packages, including a five-night stay in the palace annexe.

2. Paris

The romance and culture of Paris is renowned, so why not indulge in all the city’s delights, culminating in a spectacular New Year’s Eve of festivities? Paris is the city of lights, and this description is even more apt during Paris’ spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations. With dramatic fireworks punctuating the sky above landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, it’s a party that is sure to be emblazoned upon your memory.

3. Venice

Capture the astounding beauty of the water city from beneath the changing hues of fireworks for a New Year’s you will never forget. Each year, crowds trek to the famous city of Venice to enjoy a night of festivities, including fireworks viewed from St Mark’s Square.

4. Tuscany

Fancy something a little more laid back, where the focus is the festive food, great company and fine wine? Tuscany could be the order of the day. With its reputation for wine, food and picture-perfect towns across rolling hilltops, Tuscany extends its hospitality throughout the festive season. Medieval Tuscan towns such as Lucca offer a unique experience where New Year’s can be celebrated in the great outdoors while enjoying the finer culinary delights.

5. Switzerland

If a white, fairytale New Year’s appeals, then Switzerland is a travellers’ paradise. It’s a great destination to enjoy all the excitement that an alpine region has to offer—including skiing, chalets and fabulous historical towns amid the soaring Swiss Alps. While enjoying some wine next to a fireplace springs to mind when we think of the Alps, New Year’s sees the mountains come alive with music and a host of exciting events. New Year’s is also when the custom of Silvesterklausen is celebrated: the silvesterklause are entertainers who ring in the New Year by parading through the streets in costume, ringing cowbells as they go from house to house singing.

The excitement of bidding the old year good bye and welcoming the new is universal. How you choose to enjoy it simply depends upon your preference. But any way you choose to celebrate, travelling to one of these famous locations could make your next New Year’s Eve the experience of a lifetime.

Image by akk_rus Moyan_Brenn Fr Antunes under cc license