{"id":7715,"date":"2019-11-18T10:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T10:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=7715"},"modified":"2020-09-01T16:21:03","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T15:21:03","slug":"top-5-places-for-an-unforgettable-new-years-eve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journal.slh.com\/journal\/top-5-places-for-an-unforgettable-new-years-eve\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 places for an unforgettable New Year\u2019s Eve"},"content":{"rendered":"

From blow-out feasts to free-for-all fireworks, here\u2019s how five different places celebrate<\/h3>\n

Filled with historic traditions, symbolic rituals and superstitions, welcoming in the New Year has always been a reason to celebrate across different parts of the globe. Expect food, fireworks and plenty of fun wherever you go. But if you fancy experiencing something a little out-of-the-ordinary, here are five top places that promise an unforgettable New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n

1. Italy throws out the past \u2013 along with the pots and pans<\/h3>\n

You might want to wear a hard hat when midnight strikes, especially in Naples. Removing the old year\u2019s \u2018evil spirits\u2019 sees Italians chucking all kinds of unwanted household items and clothes out of their windows.<\/p>\n

Sitting down to a \u2018massive dinner\u2019, or cenone,<\/em> is a family staple across the country. Symbolising wealth and abundance, most restaurants, especially in Rome serve green lentils and meaty, fatty sausages, <\/em>sliced to resemble coins.<\/p>\n

Visit Venice and its romantic side makes itself felt on New Year\u2019s Eve. The ‘Bacio di Mezzanotte’<\/em> spectacle invites you to join a collective kiss with other revellers as the first fireworks blast over the canals.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With views across to Mount Vesuvius, <\/em>Romeo Hotel<\/a><\/em>, provides a luxurious <\/em>Naples<\/em> base. When in <\/em>Rome<\/em>, <\/em>Babuino 181<\/a><\/em> is your discreet retreat at the classical heart of the city. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2. First-footing and fireballs are all the rage across Scotland<\/h3>\n

You can\u2019t miss Hogmanay in Scotland when a deep, patriotic fervour sweeps over the nation. As night falls, people parade through Aberdeenshire swinging giant fireballs hanging on poles \u2013 representing the sun\u2019s purification of the coming year. Remember too, if you\u2019re the first to enter a person\u2019s home on New Year\u2019s Day, the ancient \u2018first-footing\u2019 ceremony means you should bring good luck gifts with you such as coins, salt, coal, bread and whisky for prosperity and long-life.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Edinburgh turns Hogmanay into a global event, complete with live music, big name DJs, giant screens and bars lining Princes Street. Prepare to link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne<\/em>, accompanied by Edinburgh Castle\u2019s firework display on the famous ramparts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Book yourself into the peaceful Georgian splendour of the <\/em>Nira Caledonia<\/a><\/em> hotel and be only minutes away from Edinburgh\u2019s New Year high jinks.<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Lucky games and smashing pomegranates in Greece<\/h3>\n

In Greece, New Year\u2019s Eve is considered a very auspicious time. Caf\u00e9s and taverns stay open late as locals of all ages play cards, dice, board games and the state lottery. And families demonstrate their hospitality by setting an extra place at the dinner table for anyone who might join them.<\/p>\n

As you step inside, you might notice pomegranates on the front door. This symbol of rebirth forms part of an elaborate ritual when, moments after midnight, the first family member to come back into the house grabs the fruit and smashes it against the door. The more seeds that fly out, the more luck for everyone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sparkling blue Aegean Sea with bubbles all round at midnight? Toast the New Year from your private heated pool at Eagles Villas<\/a> in Halkidiki.<\/em><\/p>\n

4. 12 grapes at midnight and Mexico\u2019s other colourful rituals<\/h3>\n

\u00a1Feliz A\u00f1o Nuevo!<\/em> New Year\u2019s Eve in Mexico kicks off with a Christmas-like meal, except instead of turkey, expect to feast on traditional Bacalao<\/em> made from dried salted cod cooked with olives and tomatoes. After plenty of sparkling wine, fireworks and music, you might still be up for the curious custom of eating 12 grapes in 60 seconds. Each grape represents a wish for the coming year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also considered lucky to wear certain colours. Red promises a year of passion if you\u2019re married or a new love if you\u2019re single, while yellow brings money luck and maybe a promotion. Mexico\u2019s retailers always stock up weeks ahead, in case you didn\u2019t pack anything red or yellow for your trip.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Relax in the 17th<\/sup>-century palatial splendour of Downtown<\/a> in Mexico\u2019s Centro Historico district, complete with rooftop pool. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a05. Have a festive blast in Iceland<\/h3>\n

Ear plugs at the ready. Visit Iceland on December 31st<\/sup> and appreciate just how much this country adores its rockets and Roman candles. Every year, hundreds of millions of kr\u00f3na shoot up into the sky. And it\u2019s not just for the love of a mind-blowing display, as income from firework sales help fund Iceland\u2019s vital Search and Rescue teams.<\/p>\n

In Reykjavik especially, families gather around roaring community bonfires. And in a free-for-all atmosphere that would have most Health & Safety officials ducking for cover, hundreds of people shoot off fireworks right next to each other.<\/p>\n

For something more tranquil, you could always board a luxury cruise at the Old Harbour and toast the New Year watching an explosion of colours reflected on the water \u2013 glass of champagne in-hand.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Enjoy panoramic views of fireworks from your suite in the trend-setting Tower Suites Reykjavik<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From blow-out feasts to free-for-all fireworks, here\u2019s how five different places celebrate Filled with historic traditions, symbolic rituals and superstitions, welcoming in the New Year has always been…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[46,77,3,28,131,68],"yoast_head":"\nTop 5 places for an unforgettable New Year\u2019s Eve - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Celebrate New Year\u2019s Eve in 5 different countries \u2013 from Italy\u2019s cenone feasts and pomegranate smashing in Greece, to Scotland\u2019s Hogmanay and Iceland\u2019s fireworks free-for-all.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top 5 places for an unforgettable New Year\u2019s Eve - 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