One of the best ways to travel at the end of the year is to pick a location where the New Year will be brought in not only in style, but in comfort. Where else in the world would you want to be than in Paradise? Get out of the rain and the cold and all of the physical discomfort of a New Year in the UK and ring in 2012 with a little luxury. These international locations are all as close to paradise as you can get on this planet.
Cairns, Australia
Cairns is one of the largest cities in the tropical wetland state of Queensland. It is home to many scuba diving companies as it is the closest point on land to many Great Barrier Reef diving destinations. This city is ideal for scuba divers of all abilities and skill levels. There are many reefs to visit, although if you plan to dive the more pristine Outer Reef, you will need to allot more time as the Outer Reef is farther away from land.
One excellent idea is to spend New Year’s Eve on a dive boat! There are many live-aboard dive companies who offer New Year’s packages. Diving on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and spending your New Year’s Eve itself on a boat party would be an unforgettable experience. The weather is tropical, as winter in the UK is summer in Australia.
Even if you are not a scuba diver, Cairns is surrounded by lush tropical rainforests, such as the world famous Daintree – one of the oldest pristine rainforests in the world. Not too far away are the old time towns of Port Douglas, and the historically important Cape Tribulation (Cape Trib for short). Cairns will be a hot destination for New Year’s, as it is a college town filled with bars and pubs that cater to a youthful, active crowd. Cairns has a great beach scene as well, with many luxurious beachfront properties for rent, as well as exclusive resorts with spas. If you’re out of town, make sure you get travel insurance for Australiabecause if anything were to go wrong with these adventurous activities, you’re gonna want to be like a boy scout and “be prepared”.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
New Year’s Eve in South Africa is in the middle of the summer, and makes for one hot night. The famous V&A Waterfront hosts the best New Year’s party in all of Cape Town. There is plenty of live entertainment, as well as street performers. Many shops and boutiques remain open late into the night to take part in the revelry. Cape Town is home to some of the top restaurants on the continent, so be sure to grab an unforgettable last dinner in the old year before ringing in the new one. The New Year’s Eve Bash culminates at midnight with a fireworks show, and party goers continue enjoying themselves well into the early hours of January 1.
3. Bali, Indonesia
Bali – the infamous tropical destination – is a true paradise on Earth. Often called the Island of the Gods, Bali is home to clear blue water, idyllic beaches, peaceful palm islands, and beautiful reefs and rainforests. This is another excellent diving location, with Indo-Pacific coral reefs comparable in beauty to the Great Barrier Reef. Bali is also home to some world class diving, and in turn has some of the best diving resorts in the world. Another popular activity here is surfing. One idea, if you are neither a surfer nor a scuba diver, is to ring in 2012 with a new skill. There would be no better place in the world to take surfing or scuba diving lessons than Bali. If you want more of a laid back New Year’s vacation, reserve a spot at some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Bali has revolutionized luxury, with many beachfront locations sporting over-water bungalows on private islands. New Year’s parties here will cater to your every need.
4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This will be one of the hottest places to visit for New Year’s 2012. Rio is home to some of the largest and most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties in the world. The common tradition is to dress in white, which symbolizes good luck. The New Year is welcomed with plenty of drinking and toasting to good health. During the daytime on New Year’s Eve, many people take part in the age old tradition of making offerings to the Afro-Brazilian goddess Iemanj Many beaches host performances by international, well-known bands, often for free. If you want to ensure a wild night of partying, Rio de Janeiro must be on the top of your list for a good time. Rio will offer many other sights to see in Brazil beyond New Year’s as well, so if you plan on a longer vacation then Rio would be an excellent choice. It serves as a base for exploring much of what Brazil has to offer beyond a thriving nightlife: the Amazon rainforest, ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and beautiful bodies. It is also the host city for the 2014 World Cup!
5. Marrakech, Morocco
Join hundreds of thousands of others by ringing in the New Year in exotic style in Morocco. Not many people can say that they have celebrated the New Year in Morocco, so if you want a taste of something different, this is the place to head for New Year’s. Morocco is a beautiful, warm, and sunny location so be sure to bring warm weather clothing, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. One way to spend the New Year’s here is in the desert – many luxury tourist businesses offer comfortable travel packages to the desert. Spending New Year’s Eve in the desert means that you can get a taste of the local nomad culture, sitting around a bonfire under the clear starry night sky, sharing a traditional Moroccan roast of whole lamb. Camel treks and 4×4 safari jeep excursions are most often included in this unforgettable experience. Marrakech, as the most popular tourist city in Morocco, is the best starting-off point for such a trip.
For a taste of something different, try ringing in the New Year in a warmer location. All of the above locations are sure to give you memorable experiences that you will cherish for years to come.
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