New Year's Eve around the world
From the famous Ball Drop in the Big Apple to a regatta on St Barths, AMY LAUGHINGHOUSEscours the globe for memorable ways to ring in 2013
Caribbean
Party like, and maybe even with, a rock star on St Barths, one of the Caribbean’s chicest see-and-be-seen destinations – especially on New Year’s Eve. Yacht owners sail into the harbour for the New Year’s Eve Regatta, which starts at 10am on December 31st, and in the evening, fashionistas flock to the Quai Général de Gaulle in Gustavia for live music, dancing and midnight fireworks. ( saintbarth-tourisme.com)
Most properties require a lengthy minimum stay this time of year, and many of the super-luxe hotels book up far in advance, but some more modest establishments may still have rooms. Check out Hotel Le Village, villagestjeanhotel.com, and Le P’tit Morne, timorne.com
USA
Join one million of your closest friends in New York’s Times Square, one of the most extraordinary destinations to greet the new year.
At 6pm, a Waterford crystal-encrusted ball is hoisted high atop the square. At one minute to midnight, it begins its 60-second descent, followed by a shower of confetti and fireworks. timessquarenyc.org.
Alternatively, escape the crowd and feast on bird’s eye views of the city on the 46th floor of Trump SoHo New York. At 9pm-2am, dine on oysters, caviar, and bacon-wrapped lamb, washed down with champagne and cocktails from the open bar. From US $2,600 (€2,005) including a two-night stay and two party tickets.
Germany
One million people, hundreds of food and beverage outlets, three stages, and loads of live bands and DJs all add up to one of Europe’s best New Year’s Eve street parties, stretched out over 2km in Berlin.
Join the revelry along the Strasse des 17. Juni, between the iconic Brandenburg Gate and Siegessaule. See visitberlin.de/en, silvester-in-berlin.de/EN.
The Hotel Adlon Kempinksi at the Brandenburg Gate is offering two-night New Year packages, including champagne, five-course menu and midnight buffet and breakfast, from €1,485.
Switzerland
From your hilltop perch at The Dolder Grand, you can take in the pyrotechnic spectacle over Lake Zurich on New Year’s Eve. A two-night package at the century-old historic hotel also includes a four-course dinner in the Garden Restaurant and New Year’s brunch. Ease your way into 2013 with a treatment at the spa or a soak in its swimming pool.
Doubles from CHF1,999 (€1,652). See thedoldergrand.com
Croatia
Start the celebrations early with a long weekend in Rovinj, a picture postcard old city on the west coast of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. The strikingly contemporary Hotel Lone offers three and four-day bargain-priced packages, with a concert by members of the 1980s act Denis Denis on December 28th and a New Year’s Eve blow-out with British band Stereo MCs.
The packages also include BB accommodation, Men’s Night at the Night Club on December 30th, free access to the 1,670sq m Wellness Spa centre (except on Ladies’ Night, December 30th, when men have no access) and a New Year’s Eve Buffet in restaurant E, plus special activities for wee ones. Four-day package from €94 per person, per day; three-day package from €108.50. See lonehotel.com
