Eye On Travel: New Year’s Eve: Should auld acquaintance be forgot?

The Festive Season is in full swing but what happens when it’s all over? January is not big on festivals. Apart from one. But it is the biggest and celebrated worldwide. Even if it technically starts in December.

It’s the celebration of the New Year. So if you are fed up of the cold and paying for a ticket to get into your local Wetherspoons then here are some exotic alternatives. It’s too late for this year so plan ahead for 2018!

Hong Kong: Victoria’s not so secrets

City skylines make for spectacular firework displays. Especially if that city has a pyromaniac tendency in a country that is the world’s leading firework manufacturer. With comfortable double digit temperatures, step forward Hong Kong.

Dress to impress and choose one of the city's sky bars for the best view of Victoria Harbour. It might be China but English is the official dual language so you'll have no excuse for ending up in the wrong part of town afterwards.

GET THERE: There are daily direct flights from Heathrow as well as a new Cathay Pacific service from Gatwick. Flight time is around 12h with 1 stop flights from elsewhere in the UK.

Thailand: The first of two new year's days

If you prefer a more casual beach party then try the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. Famous for its Full Moon Parties, they make a lunar exception for New Year’s Eve - even though the Thai new year is not until April.

If you enjoy electronic music and drinking Thai whiskey and coke from a plastic sandcastle bucket whilst trying to set yourself on fire doing beach limbo then you’ll fit right in here. Dress down and plan your transportation if you leave before dawn.

GET THERE: Fly to Koh Samui via Bangkok (14h) then it’s 30mins by boat to Haad Rin aka Sunrise Beach. Stay on the island or on nearby Koh Samui.

Copacabana: 2 million people including Lola

For a mid-summer beach & city combo, the only place to be is Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. They do like a party here which is why there are around 2 million people on the beach so don’t bother putting your towel down the day before.

Live music starts from 8pm ranging from Samba to Rock and it is not unknown for major artists to appear unannounced. Dress in white, leave your valuables in the hotel safe, find a spot on the sand & enjoy.

GET THERE: Fly direct from Heathrow to Rio or one stop via Sao Paolo, Madrid or Lisbon. Hotels need to be booked well in advance and if you’re not into dancing, forget it!

Sydney: Magic from the Wizards of Aus

In the global battle of the fireworks displays, the city of Sydney never disappoints. If you are going to spend a lot of time outside waiting for the main event, do it somewhere hot. Sydney can be done on all budgets - in the park with beer and bbq, in a harbour front bar or on a boat.

There are two fireworks displays (9pm & midnight) as well as a parade of boats around the harbour. You also get bragging rights to start the year before most of the rest of the world.

GET THERE: It will take at least 22 hours to get to Sydney with a one stop flight from the UK. Break the journey en route in Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore if you have time.

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I have been to all of these destinations including New Year’s Eve in Sydney. Ask me to find out more! Flights are released 11 months in advance so plan next year in January.
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