With the festive season fast approaching, several of us are getting prepared to celebrate Christmas once again. From buying presents to putting up the tree, this special time of year cannot come soon enough.
However in all this excitement, it is easy to forget about New Year’s Eve. This annual celebration is billed by many as the best night of the year and gives everyone another excuse to enjoy the holidays for a bit longer.
But have you ever considered going away on this particular occasion? With numerous last minute holiday deals available, the potential choices are endless. From climbing a mountain to relaxing on the beach and partying at a rooftop bar, you may be surprised at what you can get up to as well.
Egypt
With an incredible history, world famous landmarks, mesmerising cities and remarkable landscapes, every type of tourist or traveller is catered for on a trip to Egypt. The beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh is an ideal setting for escaping the bitter winter conditions.
Benefitting from nine hours of sunshine a day in January and temperatures of around 20°C, you can put the thought of a cold New Year’s night out behind you and top up the tan before heading home. If you feel like doing more than just lying on a sun lounger, then take a dip in the water and go scuba diving or swimming, as the marine life and coral reefs there are stunning.
Barcelona
While Barcelona also has a few alluring beaches, its lively nightlife and cultural delights make it a superb spot for New Years. This vibrant metropolis is one of the best city break destinations in Europe and it’s easy to see why.
Before getting ready for the big night, make sure you explore the work of the much-loved Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí. From the iconic Sagrada Familia, which has both Gothic and art nouveau influences, to Parc Güell and Casa Milá, there are various attractions to marvel at. Then when the sun does set, you’ve got various neighbourhoods to choose from. Born features elegant bars, the Gothic Quarter has small and intimate venues, while Raval is great for a traditional Spanish party.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous of the Canary Islands boasts a number of exhilarating highlights, which includes several energetic pursuits.
For this reason, it is the perfect place for losing a few pounds put on over Christmas or to experience a different type of New Year’s Eve celebration. Tenerife’s most enthralling attraction is Mount Teide, a 3,718 metre (12,198ft) high volcano in the heart of a fascinating national park. Spend a night at the AltaVista mountain refuge and you’ll be able to witness a spectacular sunrise.
Even though all of these destinations share certain characteristics, the experiences you can have on New Year’s Eve are quite different. For a beach retreat, head to Egypt, for a city break, choose Barcelona and for a more adventurous time, go to Tenerife.
Images by martin_vmorris, Patrick Dinnen and El Coleccionista de Instantes used under creative commons license.