I’ve always maintained a “close to home” approach when it comes to New Year’s Eve (what can I say I love Chicago), but recently a friend from Rio sparked my interest by describing NYE on Copacabana Beach. It sounded amazing and encouraged me to research other fun places to spend NYE.
Here is my NYE Wishlist:
Rio de Janiero
Picture a sea of white covering Copacabana Beach in Rio. Not a small crowd, but 2 million people arrive in glammed up bright whites, representing cleansing for the new year. Live samba is playing in the background while a colorful display of fireworks is set off over the beach. This NYE party is at the top of my list!
Barcelona
I’m biased, I love this city! When the clock chimes midnight, the tradition is to eat 12 full grapes in order to bring yourself good luck for the year to come. I’m not much for eating late at night, but I think I might like to try with hundreds of thousands other Catalonians. Barcelona is definitely not known for their fireworks, but to make up for the lack of lights, the city boasts some of the best parties of the year!
New York City
For the past decade I have sat in front of the TV counting down with Times Square, watching the ball drop. This is one of the most iconic and world-renowned NYE celebrations and at some point I must make my way into the crazy crowds to countdown with the rest of the US in person.
Sydney
At the harbour on a hot summer night with 1 million other Aussies sounds like a fantastic way to ring in the new year. They put on two firework shows: a 9 PM family-friendly show and a midnight party-all-night event over the bridge. I plan to one day celebrate the new year with fireworks exploding over the picturesque Sydney Opera House in the background.
Paris
Gathered at the Champs-Élysées watching the Eiffel Tower explode in a colorful sparkly display, while we sip our champagne and wish those around us “Bonne Année”! Need I say more? Perfect.
London
London is one of those cities that I can’t believe I haven’t been to yet. New Year’s Eve seems as good a place as any to start! I want to stand on the Westminster Bridge watching the fireworks go off from the London Eye as I countdown with the chimes of Big Ben in the background.
If you have been to one of these New Years Eve bashes – what was your experience? If you’ve celebrated NYE in another city that isn’t listed – I want to hear why I should add it to my NYE Wishlist!
Wow – been to all these wonderful cities except for Rio, which would be awesome for New Years. I’d add Miami to this list – that was a memorable New Years for us enjoying the warm weather and partying all night. Can’t go wrong with South Beach!
This is true – I can imagine South Beach being a great party on NYE!
I lived in London for 8 years, but only once made it to the river on NYE. My husband was working, he’s a chef, I was staying in his hotel, a perk of the job, payoff for not spending time as a family. I was heavily pregnant, but I managed to waddle down to the river at midnight. It was magic, so special. I love London.
Great story – I can’t wait to experience London!
Any one of these destinations would be better than sitting watching it on the television. One of the aims for 2013 would be to see in 2014 in another place. Happy travels in 2013.
Hong Kong is a great place for New Years too. Just spent it bringing in the new year on a boat in the harbor it was pretty cool.
We were in Hong Kong in 2012 for Chinese New Year – That city knows how to party!
I have been to NY for NYE and it is crazy! I think its something people should try but it was hard work standing outside all day in the cold!
It seems crazy, but I want to do it at least once!!
Madeira island’s NYE is the best one I’ve ever been to!highly recommended!
Never heard of it – but glad I have now!
Taipei on NYE was something that I couldn’t have even imagined! You should really see the fireworks coming off of Taipei 101 🙂 I was at CKS Memorial in a little bungelow and it was perfect.