Top ten spots to spend the New Years

BY ROBERT WOOLFORD

Now that December is officially here, the streets are awash with holiday decorations, and the weather (if you’re on the Northern Hemisphere at least) gets just much chillier, and if you’re still trying to figure out what to do for the upcoming global bash titled New Year’s eve, you’re in luck. We’ve got ten spots that are surefire wins, so without further ado. The best places to spend New Years Eve.

10. At Home – Huh? Yes, totally out of the blue, but oftentimes the best NYE party is the one with some close friends. So planning a shin dig and get together at your home and inviting your closest friends and family may not be such a bad option, but if you’re inclined to go out. Here are some suggestions.

9. New York, New York – Yeah, we know the mother of all New Year’s parties, and while even our publisher is from New York, and tends to have his complaints about NYC for NYE, it’s got to be done at least once. So if you’re once of the brave ones who want to be in Times Sq. – get there early, better yet though, the city offers passes to get past the Times Sq. police barricade to certain organizations and outfits. If you can get your hands on a few of these Times Sq. is well worth it.

If you’ll be spending NYE in a club, restaurant, bar, etc… be sure to watch out for the “Drinks Free” deal that’s being advertised, it’s rubbish bottom shelf alcohol, there are usually restrictions i.e. one glass per person and the average wait time for the bartender to actually see you can be anywhere up to half an hour, and all this for the low price of $200. So we highly recommend you pass on these “deals” better go grab a dinner and then head to a bar or club with your close ones.

8. Sydney, Australia – While the Island Nation of Kiribati will celebrate the coming of 2010 first, the first major city to celebrate the coming of 2010 will be Sydney Australia. The good is that the party typically runs until dawn and with the warm weather you’ll be able to celebrate NYE on the beach, or if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can always head into the pub. Best of all, when you call your friends in say California they’ll probably be having breakfast.

7. London, UK – Yep! London, not because it’s GMT +/- 0, but because on NYE you’ll get up to 400.000 people out in central London, the party is staggering, and the fireworks over the Thames aren’t half bad either. They shoot off from the Eye and the best views are in either Embankment or Westminster Bridge, but if you’ve passed Lancaster Place, you’ll know you’ve gone too far. In any case, the fireworks last 15 mins, starting when Big Ben strikes zero hour.

6. Lapland, or Stockholm, Sweden – While it may be too late to book a room at the Ice Hotel in Lapland, you can still head up north to see the Northern Lights with that special someone, however, if that special someone isn’t there, and you’re looking for full on shenanigans – then what better place than Stockholm.

5. Tokyo, Japan – The great thing about spending the New Year in Tokyo is that it’s not just a one day affair, the festivities start on the 29th of December and go until the 4th of January. Be warned though that if you are strictly going to Tokyo as a tourist many of the sites will be closed, however, you’ll be able to experience something truly amazing – which is the Watch-Night Bell, and while there be sure to get your hands on some New Years Eve Noodle (Toshikoshi Soba).

4. Venice, Italy – The Fiesta di San Silvestro and Il Capodanno are two Italian celebrations celebrated on the 31st of December, and the 1st of January. The best place to pass NYE in Venice is in St. Marks Square, but be sure to bring your mask as the whole place pretty much turns into one masquerade ball, and don’t forget to wear your red undies as they’re said to bring good luck.

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Copacabana Beach is illuminated by thousands of candles as Afro Brazilian dancers beat their drums and half the city dances to the sound of the approaching new year. To add to the goodness, you’ve got summer time temperatures, meaning you can leave that winter jacket at the gate.

2. Barcelona, Spain – We love Barcelona, and we also love the Noche Vieja – why? Because Barcelona offers the New Years Eve goer a monstrous selection of things to do. Meaning anything from rock, clubs, live performances, ballroom dancing, whatever you want it’s doable, and the party has been often known to last for a week. At midnight be sure to follow the still followed Roman tradition by eating 12 grapes, one after each bell sound. They are after all supposed to make the New Year Begin Sweetly

1. New Orleans, Louisiana -There is possibly no city better suited to host a smashing New Year’s Eve Party like New Orleans, and with a city that can put on the Mardi Gras annually and lives by the catch phrase “Laissez les bons temps rule” you’ll know that everything’s going to go down peachy. The weather can be a bit tricky and it’s recommended that you check the forecasts. Bourbon St. and the French Quarter tend to be the stomping ground of choice by many, but don’t forget that the ball drops in Jackson Square.

With that, best of luck, have fun, stay safe, and have a most wonderful New Year’s Eve.