Are you looking for an alternative place to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year? Booking.com, the global leader in connecting you with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, explores five destinations for a New Year’s Eve celebration beyond the crowds of New York City’s Times Square, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gateor and Sydney’s harbour. Instead, why not check out the street parades in the Bahamas, take part in the largest mass kissing event in Venice or ring the old year out bell in Japan? Whatever you choose to do, there’s a range of exciting experiences all across the globe come New Year’s Eve.
Freeport, Bahamas
Where to stay: The luxurious Dolphin Cove apartments boast an outdoor pool, a private marina and an ideal location just a short stroll from a sandy-white beach. After a fun-fuelled night of seeing in the New Year, travellers can relax on the terrace whilst enjoying beautiful marina views, cook up a storm with the onsite BBQ facilities or take a trip to Lucayan Beach where an array of restaurants and bars can be found. Top endorsements for Freeport by Booking.com travellers are relaxation, sandy beaches and sun-bathing. Top nationalities that booked Freeport during the past year include American, German and British and the top types of accommodation booked are resorts, hotels and villas.
Madrid, Spain
Where to stay: Stay in the heart of Madrid at the trendy Home Select Gran Via Apartments offering a rooftop terrace, seasonal outdoor pool and fitness centre. Enjoy a selection of bars and restaurants, rent a bicycle to explore the bustling streets or take a short walk to Puerta del Sol; one of the best known and busiest places in the city. Top endorsements for Madrid by Booking.com travellers include museums, culture and shopping. Top nationalities that booked Madrid during the past year include British, Italian and French and the top types of accommodation booked are hotels, guest houses and apartments.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Where to stay: The vibrant Injoy Hostel is ideally located with just a short stroll from Botafogo Beach and Copacabana Beach, perfect for celebrating New Years. Guests will appreciate the hostel’s 24-hour front desk and the fresh daily breakfast to help recover from the night before! Relax in the hostel’s shared lounge and garden and tick off the other sites with a trip to Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue, both just a short drive away. Top endorsements for Rio by Booking.com travellers include beaches, scenery and sightseeing. Top nationalities that booked Rio during the past year include Argentinian, Chilean and French and the top types of accommodation booked are hotels, hostels and apartments.
Tokyo, Japan
Where to stay: The elegant APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae offers guests a luxurious stay for the New Year, with spa facilities and an onsite restaurant. Conveniently located with a short walk from the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, guests can experience the “Joya No Kane” ritual first-hand and beat the crowds to partake in Hatsumode. Top endorsements for Tokyo by Booking.com travellers are shopping, food and convenient public transport. Top nationalities that booked Tokyo during the past year include Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean and the top types of accommodation booked are hotels, Japanese-style business hotels and hostels.
Venice, Italy
Want to ring in the New Year like a Venetian? Make sure you wear something red, and even better if you wear red underwear, as it will supposedly bring good luck for the coming year! For money and good fortune, be sure you dine on lentils and for richness of life try a spicy campione sausage. Once the feast is over, head to St. Mark’s Square for huge celebrations with music, dance and fireworks and when the clock strikes twelve, pucker up for the mass kissing tradition!
Where to stay: A former monastery, the Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio offers a pretty courtyard and garden, fresh daily breakfasts and an ideal location with just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. Top endorsements for Venice by Booking.com travellers are architecture, romance and sightseeing. Top nationalities that booked Venice during the past year include French, British and German and the top types of accommodation booked are hotels, bed and breakfasts and apartments.