Paris, France
There are many ways to say Bonne Année! in the city of romance. If you want to be in the traditional heart of the party, the Champs-Élysées is the place where many Parisians and tourists flock to await the new year. With a magnificent view of the wonderfully-lit Eiffel Tower, you can toast a glass of champagne at the stroke of midnight while a great fireworks show illuminates the sky. For a more contemplative view of the scene, head to Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre, where you can get a bird’s eye view of Paris. The clubs and pubs in Montmartre offer plenty of action for those who want to imbibe and dance the night away. Many fine hotels in Paris also throw lavish New Year’s celebrations and book fast as a result.
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Sydney, AustraliaSydney gets a jump on the New Year’s fun before the rest of the world and as a result, is a superb place to be on December 31. The world-class annual fireworks display off the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge is a signature event that draws hundreds of thousands of onlookers.
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Berlin, GermanyEvery December 31, Berlin hosts one of the biggest open-air parties in the world at the Brandenburg Gate. Germans welcome the new year with music, dancing and a spectacular fireworks show. As usual, there will be several concerts on different stages, light and laser shows, stands with international foods and drinks and an official countdown that everybody takes part in. The best part of the celebration is that admission is free. Get plenty of sleep because the party always lasts until the wee hours.
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Venice, ItalyCelebrate New Year’s Eve (La Festa di San Silvestro) and January 1 (Il Capodanno) in Venice. As of 9 p.m., restaurants start a huge celebration with several Italian and international courses and a fine selection of good wines. Although some restaurants charge a hefty fee, the delicious foods and cheerful atmosphere hopefully overshadow the cost. After dinner, put on a mask and head to Piazza San Marco for a magnificent fireworks show along the waterfront.
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Tokyo, JapanThe Japanese celebrate the New Year by ringing the bells of every temple 108 times at the stroke of midnight, a tradition known as Joya-no-Kane. It is believed that tolling the bells 108 times negates our 108 worldly desires. Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine and temples in other major cities attract millions of visitors, translating into a long wait time to reach the offering hall for a prayer. Do not miss a rare occasion to visit the inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace on January 2, when the Emperor makes an appearance.
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Rio de Janeiro, BrazilRio de Janeiro is a great destination any time of the year but visiting on New Year’s Eve makes it that much more special. Rio welcomes the new year with a huge celebration marked by a dazzling display of fireworks. As New Year’s is a time of renewal, many Brazilians wear white and new clothes on this occasion as a way to put their past problems behind them. The biggest event takes place at Copacabana Beach, where 11 barges with 1,200 fireworks each put on a show lasting 20 minutes. Dubbed “Golden Decade”, this year’s party will mark all the great upcoming events Brazil will host: the Military World Games in July 2011, FIFA’s Confederations Cup in 2013, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Games of the XXXI Olympiad. Alternatively, if you want to avoid all the commotion, book yourself a room with an ocean view at one of the many hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
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Toronto, CanadaIn Toronto, the main party takes place at Nathan Phillips Square, where you can listen to many popular singers and bands. For a romantic celebration, book two tickets for a Toronto Harbour cruise, where you can have a luxurious dinner and toast 2011 with a fireworks show over the skyline. If you have a family in tow, go to the Toronto Zoo and join the annual New Year’s Eve countdown with the animals. Finally, if you want to laugh your way into 2011, superb Massey Hall will celebrate the New Year with a star line-up of stand-up comics.
Image by Richard Hsu
