2016 is fast approaching, along with all the new and exciting opportunities it will bring. However, don’t panic yet girls… Before January exams, our Christmas holiday is just on the horizon so it’s time to get your suitcase and passport at the ready to bring in the New Year in style! Here are our top destination recommendations at HCX for the upcoming celebrations…
1. Reykjavik
What better place to visit in the winter months than Iceland, a natural Winter Wonderland? On the night of the 31st, the city of Reykjavik falls silent whilst everyone is huddled inside taking part in the traditional Gala family dinner and watching the annual Áramótaskaup comedy show. Later into the night an average of 200,000 tourists and residents gather together to light bonfires and watch huge firework displays, before the parties continue on till morning!
2. Madeira
The ambience of Funchal, the largest city in the Portuguese island of Madeira, is undeniable on New Year’s Eve, with every road glowing with a different colour of light. Hop on board one of Funchal’s many cruise ships and bring the New Year in with class and a glass of champagne. (Every HCX girl’s dream!)
3. Dublin
Somewhere a little closer to home, Dublin’s three day New Year’s festival is legendary. On the 30th of December there is a Spoken Word Festival and NYF Music Trail where live music performances are scattered around the city. The big day, New Year’s Eve, is home to the Procession of Light, where over 10,000 spectators come to witness the streets of Dublin erupting into processions, performers and light installations. Once the madness is over on January 1st, what better way to fight your hangover than with exercise? Resolution Day in Dublin means it’s time to get up and get active; participate in a 5K fun run, inflatable games and fitness workshops.
4. Rio de Janeiro
Celebrating a New Year’s in Rio should be on all our Bucket Lists. Huge electric festivals and traditional carnivals attract an astonishing two million visitors to Brazil each New Year. Traditions are very important in Rio, and so the attire of New Year’s is all white, clean, new clothing, symbolic of putting the past behind us. The two biggest attractions of the festivities are the magical view of the floating candles, in honour of the Goddess of Water, and the huge fireworks display on Copacabana beach!
5. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is famously known as the city of festivals, and their New Year’s is no exception. Similar to Dublin, they have a street party festival called Hogmanay that spans over the course of three days. This festival features Shetland Vikings bearing firelit torches, traditional Scottish music, ceilidhs, music concerts (Biffy Clyro this year!), and the ultimate firework experience.
6. Cape Town
Whether you want to let down your hair at Cape Town’s Rezonance Trance Party or their Electric Vines Music Festival, South Africa’s New Year will definitely be a blast. Or maybe you’re looking for something calmer but perhaps a bit more memorable: take a cable car up to Table Mountain this New Year’s Eve to watch the sunset and light dance around the city.
7. Niagara Falls
Celebrating New Year’s at Niagara Falls? Yep, this is a real thing! State-of-the-art digital technology brings the Spirit of Niagara Sound and Lights show, depicting arts, culture and entertainment, to these three waterfalls. For something a bit classier, book a table at the Elements on the Falls restaurant for exquisite dining and a once-in-a-lifetime view.
8. Jakarta
Jakarta, the beautiful capital of Indonesia and the largest city in Southern East Asia, offers plenty for visitors to do during the New Year celebrations. Crowds gather round the Galamant Datang monument to enjoy the party, or at Carnaval Beach, nestled in the luxury Ancol Dreamland resort. New Year’s on a rollercoaster? Don’t mind if I do.