How to spend New Year's Eve in nature
Tired of spending New Year's in packed cities with too many people, amid ambulance sirens and firecracker smoke? Here are the best getaways for a truly unforgettable New Year's Eve.
A different kind of fireworks
Breathtaking northern lights replacing the usual fireworks, crisp-clear air and white snow - if you want New Year's to be cool and calm, head to Lapland in northern Scandinavia.
Accommodation on the rocks
For a special treat, stay in the Ice Hotel in Sweden's Jukkasjärvi. The entire hotel, with capacity for up to 100 guests, is made entirely of ice. The temperature inside is a cool minus 5 degrees Celsius, but an outdoor sauna keeps everyone warm. International artists have decorated each room with individual ice sculptures.
Arabian nights
Camel trekking, sandboarding, or just sitting on top of a gigantic dune with a mint tea in your hand while watching the sun set over the Sahara. This is what Erg Chebbi, near the eastern border of Morocco, has to offer.
A romantic fade out
In the Thai city of Chiang Mai, people use sky lanterns instead of fireworks to ring in the new year. The lanterns, made from rice paper, slowly ascend into the sky, turning New Year's Eve into a truly romantic experience.
Hang off a cliff in Peru
Up for some adventure? How about climbing 1400 iron rungs or zipline over a 400-feet-canyon in order to reach your hotel bed. It’s inside a capsule hanging off the precipice of a mountain in the Andes. The pods offer a scenic - and private - 300 degree view overlooking the Urubamba Valley.
Hibernate in a fairytale cave
Want to hide in a cave and let the new year pass by unnoticed? If so, the Turkish region of Cappadocia is right for you. Cappadocia became world famous for its hobbit-like caves. The volcanic rocks are so soft that people managed to carve out houses, churches and even monasteries, turning the area into a fairytale landscape.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
It’s a night without much sleep - or partying. Climbing the summit of Mount Kili requires starting the hike soon after midnight. But climbers who make the tough ascent will be rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise on the peak of Africa’s highest mountain - and spectacular views over vast African plains.
Party down on the beach
Spending time in nature doesn’t mean you can’t party excessively. New Year's beach parties have made India’s Goa famous. Having been a hippie-haven some decades back, it has recently developed into a holiday area that attracts tourists of all tastes and budgets.
Back to reality in Germany
On the first day of the year, nothing will wake, or sober you up faster than a dip in ice cold waters. It’s a quirky custom practiced on the German island of Sylt, with water temperatures around between five and seven degrees. The best part is the solace that you'll be able to take on anything in the new year - following an ice bath right out of the gate!