Top
10 Spots for New Year's Eve 2004 |
AMSTERDAM
The Netherlands: Dutch Impressionism
 The
"Venice of the North" is renowned for
its relaxed attitude toward sex, drugs and rock
'n roll, so it's probably no surprise that this
is also one of the best places to ring in the New
Year. The city’s centerpiece, Dam Square,
erupts with revelers from around the world, who
set off noisemakers and fireworks (they're legal
here), pop bottles of Champagne and swig beer. But
hip Amsterdam has more to offer than debauchery. For those who
prefer to mark the change of the year in a more
serene manner, take in the Van Gogh museum (but
note: it will be closed on New Year's Day), and
then head over to the buzzing Jordaan District for
a coffee or dinner. |
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CAPE
TOWN
South Africa: Say "Tweedenuwejaarsdag!"
 When
the clock strikes twelve in Cape
Town, the place to be is the Waterfront with
its restaurants, cocktail lounges, wine bars,
pubs and jazz clubs—there are few more dramatic
backdrops for a party than the Atlantic Ocean
and Table Mountain. For New Year's, this vibrant
city goes all out with costumed dancers, painted
faces, banjo players, marches, South African delicacies
and the top draw: Tweedenuwejaarsdag and the raucous
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. The hedonistic "Coon
Carnival" and parade draws more than 80,000
revelers on January 2. Some folks say this one
blows Mardi Gras out of the water! |
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JACKSON
Wyoming, USA: Ski
by Torchlight
 New
Year’s Eve in this winter wonderland begins
with a day of skiing, sled-dog touring, snowshoeing
or countless other snow-kissed activities at one
of the resorts sprinkled along the valley known
as Jackson
Hole. Among the highlights: Gather the family
together in the late afternoon and join the children's
torchlight parade down the slopes at one of the
mountain resorts. Afterwards, sit back and watch
a fireworks display, or hit another resort for some
live music. Hot tubbing and Champagne at midnight?
It's your call. |
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LAS
VEGAS
Nevada, USA: New Year's in Sin
City
 New
Year's in Sin
City is out of control. The whole desert oasis
turns into one huge celebration with the Strip
and downtown lit up by 200 light cannons and fireworks.
This night also sees Vegas shining the spotlight on its A-list entertainers.
You want magic? Check out David Copperfield's
show. Something sexy? With French import La Femme
you'll feel transported to the famed Parisian
Crazy Horse. The Fremont Street Experience features
a party with a historical video projected from
the hotels and casinos. A roster of endless entertainment—shows,
rock concerts, parties—will keep you going
into the wee hours. |
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MIAMI
Florida, USA: Big Orange Crush
 Unless
you're a model, rock star or frat boy planning
to descend on South
Beach for an all-night-party like the one
taking place on Club Deep's 2,000-gallon aquarium
dance floor, your night will no doubt take place
under the sign of the big orange. Some 250,000
local folks and international visitors watch Miami's tropical rendition of New York's famous ball drop—the
35-foot neon "Big Orange" descends from
the InterContinental Miami, with a grand finale
of the largest fireworks show south of Times Square
at Bayfront Park. There'll also be musical entertainment,
family activities and many ethnic foods to snack
on. |
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MONTREAL
Canada: Dancing Feet, Dancing Strings
 Montreal really knows how to throw a bash to toast the
New Year. Pre-parties start on the 29th and morph
into a classic bar hop on the 30th that draws
more than 17,000 revelers. Montreal's Ultimate
New Year's Eve Celebration takes place at Blu
Montreal, with ten DJs from 7 p.m. – 4 a.m.
For the fifth consecutive year, Montrealers and
visitors will usher in the New Year at Place Jacques-Cartier,
with an outdoor show at 9 p.m. and fireworks at
midnight. For a more cultured affair, on January
1, the city pays homage to the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra's annual Neujahrskonzert via the Salute
to Vienna concert at Place-des-Arts with the participation
of the Strauss Orchestra and members of Les Grands
Ballets Canadiens. For a quiet celebration: just
have a tasteful dinner and celebrate the next
day with a horse-carriage through Old Montreal. |
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NASSAU
New Providence, The Bahamas: Can
You Junkanoo?
 Get
plenty of rest for this New Year's celebration:
it begins at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day and continues
until 9 a.m. Junkanoo, the Bahamian equivalent of the Tournament of Roses parade,
is a wild and colorful street procession, where
the corporate-funded participants compete for
the most outlandish costumes and best musical
and dance performances. There are two Junkanoo
festivals in Nassau annually, on December 26 and
January 1. For the best viewing, buy tickets,
which can be purchased in advance by calling the international toll-free line
877-THE-RUSH. Then join the party between Bay
Street and Shirley. |
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PARIS
France: City
of Lights Fantastic
 The
Champs Elysées and the neighborhoods all
around the L'Arc de Triomphe transform into a
glittering, Champagne-guzzling sea of people on
New Year's. But of course, cheering with the masses
isn’t the only way to celebrate in the City
of Lights. Arrange for luxurious headquarters
at some of Paris' top hotels, make reservations at your favorite
restaurant (note: without exception you’ll
have to book a special New Year's menu; you cannot
get a table otherwise) and take perhaps a river
cruise on the Seine enjoying the illuminated monuments
of Paris. |
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VENICE
Italy: St. Mark’s Merriment
 Masks,
Murano glass and mayhem in St. Mark's Square:
welcome to New Year's Eve in Venice.
The crowds gather in the historic piazza before
midnight to celebrate the passage into 2005, which
is marked by the ringing of the bell of St. Mark's
campanile. Afterwards, a professional fireworks
display goes off along the waterfront—view
it from the small plaza adjoining the square.
To sober up on New Year's Day, consider participating
in the time-honored swim in the icy Adriatic Sea
that begins at 11 a.m. Your reward: a hot bowl
of the traditional Venetian New Year's meal, cotechino
and lentils, prepared by the event organizers. |
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ZURICH
Switzerland: Marking Midnight by
a Swiss Clock
 Those
who think of the Swiss as staid and serious
haven't spend New Year's in Zurich. Some 200,000
spectators will party all the way up to the
Stockerstrasse and on the Stadthausquai and
the Limmatquai for the biggest New Year’s
event in Switzerland.
Enjoy bars and stands serving delicacies like
Gluhwein, Chnoblibrot, Raclettes and other foods
from all over the world, as well as live music
and DJs. At 20 minutes past midnight, spectators
gather at Seebecken for a gigantic firework
display that will set the night sky sparkling.
Drink all the Prosecco you want, because public
transportation will run until 4 a.m., ferrying
night owls safely back to their hotels. And
best yet, until January 10 many pensions and
luxury hotels in the area offer one night free
with one paid night.
(Updated:
10/29/08 KR)
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