Best New Year Holiday Destinations

Sometimes, New Year’s Eve feels underwhelming. Why not take the opportunity this year to try something totally different? You could wake up on 1 January in a brand new city after a night (and maybe morning!) of celebrations. Picture yourself sailing through the canals of Amsterdam on a midnight cruise, joining an Irish parade or strolling the sparkling Avenue des Champs-Élysées.  Take a look at our top 10.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam doesn’t come into my mind straight away when thinking about choosing a New Year’s Eve holiday destination. But, Amsterdam means fireworks and legendary parties! And, who doesn’t love those? There are dozens of free parties in the cities public squares;  Head to Leidseplein, Dam Square and Rembrandtplein where you can celebrate to the early hours of the morning.  Looking for something more unique? There are special boat trips, where you can sail down Amsterdam’s beautiful canals and watch all the firework displays, while dining and drinking in comfort.  There are also plenty of parties in bars and clubs all over, with top DJs choosing to start their New Year right.

Prague

Prague has got to be one of the most incredible cities to visit for New Year, albeit a touch on the chilly side, which I found out! But hey, that just adds to the festive vibes. Weather aside, there’s such an incredible atmosphere in the city, with so many magical places to celebrate the turn of a new year. Head to the picturesque Old Town Square and join the other partygoers enjoying the live entertainment and buzzing Christmas market stalls. Or make your way to Charles Bridge and find the perfect spot to watch the numerous fireworks displays going off around the castle and river. In fact, going back to the weather, it actually started snowing just as the clock struck midnight when i went, making the whole experience all the more special.

Krakow

New Year’s Eve has its very own name in Poland called “Sylwesters”.  Head to Kralow for a celebration like no other as this city has a reputation for hosting one of Europe’s biggest open air parties. Rynek Glowny, Krakow’s beautiful medieval square, has a huge light and laser show with live pop acts to dance along to. People gather at the free celebrations both in the square and around the city to wait for the clock to strike 12. Don’t forget that you’ll need to dress up warmly, as it gets chilly in December but among the crowds, you’ll soon warm up.

Barcelona

When it comes to New Year holiday destinations, nothing quite compares to hitting the streets of Barcelona. The Catalans sure know how to party, and from super clubs to avenues, the celebrations continue early into the morning. Greet January in a traditional way on Plaça d’Espanya, where you’ll find a stunning light show filled with music and special effects. All the excitement is centred around the Magic Fountain. I’ve been to the fountain on a summer evening and it was simply amazing, so I could only imagine how incredible it’d be on such a special occasion! If you’re looking for something a little more lively, clubs like Pacha and Razzmatazz always host incredible events to ring in the New Year.

Rome

If you want to welcome in the New Year with some Italian spirit, head to Rome. Start your evening with ‘cenone’, a big dinner that’s always held on 31 December. This can either be round a friend’s house or at a restaurant, but if you’re just visiting, the piazzas are a lively place to take part in this tradition. New Year’s Eve is also the perfect time to see the biggest show in the city, La Fura dels Baus at Circus Maximus. If you want to head where the party’s really at, the Piazza del Popolo, found just beyond the Spanish Steps, is the first centre of all the action. People bring their own fireworks, but when the clock strikes midnight there’s a stunning professional display too.

Venice

As one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice makes the perfect destination to spend your New Year’s Eve in. One of the best things to do in bundle up warm and jump on a gondola; at this time of year you’re likely to see fog floating in on top of the canals, which is just as eerie as it is beautiful and will make the perfect photo opportunity. Gather in Piazza San Marco to join in the celebrations with crowds of excited locals and visitors, and enjoy a memorable countdown from the Basilica Tower itself.

Paris

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with that someone special and a celebration that you’ll never forget, then a trip to Paris to see in the New Year could be just what you’re looking for. Dine at a boutique restaurant before sipping cocktails at a chic bar and then finding a late-night club to party into the early hours of the New Year. Or for the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience, book onto a luxurious river cruise with dinner along the Seine, with beautiful bridges, colourful fireworks and the unmistakable illuminations of the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop. Now, I don’t want to put any ideas in people’s heads, but if there’s ever a time and a place to pop ‘the question’…

Berlin

Known and loved for its world-famous Techno scene, Berlin’s a city that definitely won’t be getting a good night’s sleep on New Year’s Eve. Kick off your evening at a rooftop bar, taking in stunning firework displays and iconic buildings such as the Fernsehturm that towers high above the skyline. If you’re looking to welcome the new year in serious style, buy a ticket to Kulturbrauerei where you can experience 13 floors of entertainment and 30 DJs in just one place. As Berlin’s biggest indoor party, you can keep out of the cold too, though by day you’ll want to be out and about experiencing the city’s cool street art scene.

Reykjavik

If you’re looking for a New Year city break where you can experience the great outdoors, Reykjavik is the perfect place for you. Whether it’s treating yourself to a relaxing dip in the soothing Blue Lagoon, or visiting one of the bonfires that burn through the night (it’s tradition here!) there’s so much to see and do around New Year’s Eve. You might even be able to catch the Northern Lights while you’re here: the aural activity is at its highest around January, and what a way to start a new year! It’s also the perfect time to discover Reykjavik’s stunning Diamond Beach, a black sand coast covered in shimmering glaciers. If you want to do something in the city itself, Iceland’s incredible club scene will have you dancing into the early hours, so make sure you pack something sparkly.

Dublin

Dublin’s a great option and the Irish sure do know how to party! There’s the iconic Temple Bar, which is a must-visit for anyone’s first time in the city. It’s especially magical on New Year’s Eve, where you’ll find the celebrations spilling out of the pub and into the lively city streets.  You could also choose to catch the Liffey Lights Midnight Moment, a light and laser show timed perfectly against DJ tunes that really get the party started. As one of the ‘friendliest cities in the world’, Dublin’s locals are always there to make sure you have a great time too. Think quirky performances, dancing in the street and sharing a pint of Guinness with strangers-turned-friends; it’s all waiting for you this New Year’s Eve!

For further information, bespoke itieniaries or travel ideas, do contact us at All World Journeys. discover@allworldjourneys.com

Hidden Greece

Whether you choose deserted beaches, fabulous local food, walking or ferry-hopping itineraries, we have the Greek Islands well and truly sorted.

Hiking in Amorgos, Cyclades

As well as the azure bays and its role in Luc Besson’s The Big Blue, Amorgos is also renowned for it's hiking trails, which not only connect the island’s villages but also provide access to ecclesiastical and natural landmarks. Start at Hora, the capital of the island, and walk towards the landmark of Amorgos, the Greek-Orthodox monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. Built by Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus I in the 11th century, this whitewashed monastery is wedged into a cliff face 300 metres above the sea. Climb the nearly 300 steps, walk through the low marble doorway and take the staircase that leads to the chapel where treasures and icons are kept. You will be rewarded with a vertiginous yet panoramic view of the Mediterranean, complimentary rose-flavoured loukoumi (Greek Turkish delight) and psimeni raki (raki with honey and spices) offered by the monks. From there, descend towards the pebble beach of Agia Anna. Here the waves splash against a rock which a chapel of the same name is built on. It’s then time to dive into the deep blue Aegean.

Karpathos, Dodecanese

The largest Dodecanese island is largely unknown to Brits. You can fly there but not directly from the UK. Better to take the ferry from Rhodes or Crete as we did and head for Diafani, where getting around is mostly by boat or on foot. We were enchanted by the lack of tourist trappings as local life carried on around us. As visitors we found ourselves welcomed with gifts of pomegranates, just-caught whitebait and freshly baked bread. While we were drinking coffee at a cafe on the water’s edge, a local fisherman invited us onto his caïque and took us on a spectacular journey to a beach where we found ourselves alone and surrounded by undisturbed centuries-old ruins. As we swam, our boatman fished for octopus, then barbecued it for us, having first shooed the goat from the stone table. Inland we visited Olympos, courtesy of the free loan of our hotel owner’s car. The remotest village on the island, and only recently accessible by road, it’s a place where traditional costumes and customs still persist, and time seemed, like its iconic windmills, to stand still.

Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo, a mile off the Turkish coast, is a colourful and picturesque island with a tumultuous past. Originally colonised by the Dorian Greeks, the island was later occupied by Egypt, Italy and the Ottoman empire, all of which is evident in the capital’s rich architectural legacy. Pastel-coloured Anatolian-style houses are arranged around a small fishing harbour lined with tavernas. Dotted on the hillside are a church and a cathedral, an Ottoman mosque, monasteries and castles. The ruins of an ancient acropolis lies on the western outskirts of town. A promenade on the steep streets and lanes provides abundant delight and surprise as well as breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. A small family-friendly beach west of the harbour is excellent for swimming. The island’s remote location on the fringes of the Dodecanese has left it relatively undisturbed by tourists, making it an ideal getaway centred on food, recuperation and culture. The island is easily reached by boat from Rhodes or Kas.

Abandoned sulphur mines of Milos, Cyclades

There can be no more breathtaking backdrop to a dip in the Aegean than the abandoned sulphur mine of Milos. The stunning bay of Paliorema can be accessed via a dirt road, although the scramble down the cliff to the golden shingle is not for the faint-hearted. Hire a 4x4 to get as close as possible. Once at the beach, you can wander freely around the abandoned buildings, where it appears the miners may be back at any moment to start work. Follow up your visit at the Mining Museum in Adamas, which includes a video about workers in the sulphur mine before it was permanently closed in 1978. Milos’s charms are only enhanced by the fact that it has not relied on tourism for survival like some of its better-known neighbours.

Donoussa, Cyclades

Donoussa is the quietest of the smaller Cyclades islands, hidden behind much larger Naxos. Traditionally described as off the beaten track, it has reinvigorated itself in recent years as younger people move back from Athens to work in family businesses. There are some great new restaurants, such as To Auli in the main (small) village and an organic beach bar at nearby Kedros bay. An excellent new walking guide (in Greek and English) opens up the hills, while a minibus service will carry you back from the other side of the island on the only road. There are regular ferries from Athens but arrive on the local Express Skopelitis from Naxos for the best experience – this ferry also offers lots of short-journey, island-hopping options.

Let us help you discover the world, contact us discover@allworldjourneys.com 

Thinking of the Amalfi Coast for your up and coming holiday?

The allure of the Amalfi Coast has been drawing people to the region long before it had a name. Its dramatic charm and idyllic weather enticed ancient Roman nobles to build their villas there, a real estate trend that, overtime, never faded. Today the mountains and sea cliffs are dotted with pastel confections of holiday homes and sumptuous villas, which have elevated the coastline to one of the most fabulous and unique destinations in the world. Its fragile cultural landscape, churches, gardens, vineyards and towns are divided into thirteen different municipalities, and were listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1997. Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello are the area’s top destinations, attracting thousands of jetsetters each year.

Five days is all you need to take in the highlights of the region. Consider a night or two on the volcanic garden island of Ischia, and then spend the rest of your time at one of the coastal gems, Sorrento, Positano or  Amalfi, with day trips to explore the splendours of Pompeii, Ravello's gardens and some mountain scenery.

Campania has been looking after visitors for centuries and competition is fierce and standards of service are high. Whether you’re honeymooning or taking the family, you’re likely to find a warm welcome, enhanced by a room decked out with local tiles and a lush garden.