New Year's Eve getaways abroad to finish off the year in style

Why ring in the new year sitting at home watching Police Academy re-runs when you can celebrate in style with a New Year's Eve getaway?

As the clock strikes midnight and you plant that special New Year’s kiss on your partner, you look back on the happy moments, the struggles and most importantly, you begin to imagine what is to come in the new year. That’s all well and good, but wouldn’t it be better to be doing all that reflecting whilst on holiday? We’d say so!

A New Year’s Eve getaway is the perfect way to welcome and, most importantly, start the new year feeling relaxed and refreshed. So we thought we’d give you some travel ideas for a New Year’s Eve getaway abroad.

Best European cities for New Year's Eve

So, your boss isn’t too keen on you taking a week-long holiday for that one night of ultimate celebration—not to worry, we’ve got some great hotel experiences for a short trip across the English channel.

If it’s your first or 15th NYE together, make it a romantic escape for two with a stay in the City of Love. Spend the first day of the New Year in a charming Parisian cafe with a croissant and coffee near Place de Trocadero before heading off on a calm river cruise along the Seine.

Or if a party is more your vibe, you can’t go wrong with Amsterdam. Put your warmest jacket on and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Dam Square or book your entry to one of the many New Year’s Eve nightclub parties.

Top places to go for a sunny NYE

New Year’s Eve doesn’t always need to be spent in cold and miserable weather, so why not top up your tan and party hard beachside instead?

The classic Canary Islands offer up sunny weather all year round so you can enjoy the freshest catch of the day for your final meal before the new year and watch those midnight fireworks with the feeling of sand between your toes.

But if you’re prepared to go all out for your NYE break abroad, why not watch the spectacular firework display that makes a marvellous backdrop to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Whether you’re taking the family along or off on an all-inclusive getaway with friends, Dubai is quite the luxurious destination to welcome in the new year.

Best places to spend New Year's Eve in the world

Can’t wait for the new year to begin? Simple—head east and ring in the new year 12 hours before your neighbours back home.

You can’t have a list of the best places to spend NYE in the world without including New York City. Manhattan is a pretty special place to visit on any given day, but watching the ball drop at Times Square is one for the bucket list.

The bright lights and busy streets of Tokyo are even more exciting to explore as we countdown the final hours of the year. Explore Shinjuku and Shibuya by day and then catch the spectacular fireworks displays at Tokyo Tower or Disneyland Tokyo.

Feature image courtesy of Artem Varnitsin / Fotolia