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.
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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
Peru
Get a jumpstart on your New Year detox resolutions at Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel Wellness resort, situated on 10 acres on the banks of the Vilcanota River in Urubamba, Peru. After one final night of indulgence on New Year’s Eve, with dinner, a champagne toast, DJ and fireworks, march your abused body to the resort’s Unno Spa, the largest in South America.
The centre focuses on the trinity of mind, body and spirit, with treatments like scrubs and wraps that utilise local ingredients and native plants. Additional amenities include a hyperbaric chamber, hydrotherapy pools, Vichy shower rooms and “aromatherapy oxygen”. And if all that doesn’t work, take two aspirin with a tall glass of water.
Two-night package from $499 (€385) for two people. See aranwahotels.com
Czech Republic
The Aria Hotel in Prague hosts a 1930s Chicago-themed event on New Year’s Eve. The party will include a jazz band, dancing, buffet dinner, black jack table, and a midnight countdown and champagne toast on the hotel’s rooftop terrace, with a view of the city’s fireworks.
The New Year’s Eve deals also covers two nights accommodation and daily breakfast at CODA Restaurant. From €475.
See ariahotel.net
England
Welcome the future in a five-star, 16th century manor steeped in the past. Ellenborough Park, a golden stately home nestled in England’s picturesque Cotswolds, is offering champagne and a canape reception, seven-course dinner, 14-piece swing band, and a piper and pyrotechnics at midnight.
The one night New Year’s beak also includes an extended brunch and recovery cocktail on New Year’s Day.
Ease your way into 2013 with a treatment at the spa or a soak in its swimming pool. From £695 (€862) per room. ellenboroughpark.com
Ireland
Dust off the tux and break out your finery when you ring in the new year like royalty at Dromoland Castle, an impressive crenellated edifice that presides over 450 acres encompassing a spa, championship golf course and a wooded park. Festivities include a cocktail reception, bagpipes processional, fireworks over Lough Dromoland, 10-course dinner with wine, midnight champagne toast, and a live band followed by a DJ.
Three-night package (December 29th to January 3rd) from €720 per person; two-night package (December 30th to January 2nd) from €530. See dromoland.ie
Singapore and Thailand
How do you teach a monkey to fetch a coconut? Find out on the Eastern Oriental Express’ Singapore-Bangkok New Year’s Eve four-night train journey, departing December 29th. Toss in excursions to grand temples, a tropical spice garden and a river cruise, and you have an undeniably exotic start to 2013.
Watch the Asian countryside glide by from the plush dining car or the comfort of your cabin, complete with an en-suite bathroom. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy a party on a Thai beach featuring music, champagne and fireworks. From £2,210 (€2,756) per person.
