Bring in the new year quietly, or with a bang
The countdown to 2017 has begun. Will you bring in the New Year amid a festive blast of confetti and trumpets? Or the eerie calm of a desert oasis? ForbesLife India suggests a few favourites
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An enchanting array of over 200 forest-capped islands surrounded by turquoise lagoons. The warm waters all year round make it an excellent diving spot, the pristine reefs and marine life even more so. If this wasn’t enough, there’s a marine lake full of stingless jellyfish to dive into.
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Feel the buzz at the city’s legendary Hogmanay (Scot for New Year’s Eve) celebrations. Relish a warming single malt, and join the street party that goes on for three days. Follow the torchlit procession, which finishes with the burning of a Viking longship—a reference to a warrior’s courage. The burning of the longship indicates that they have destroyed their only way home and so the solution is to win the battle. When the bells chime at midnight, join strangers on the streets and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ in unison.
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Waltz into the New Year in style at the New Year Eve’s Ball at the iconic Hofburg Palace, once the seat of Austrian monarchs. If you are lucky enough to get hold of a ticket (they are given out via a draw of lots), don’t miss the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day concert. Finish off the evening by raising a toast to your fellow gastronomes at a gala dinner at the Town Hall.
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The setting may seem like a mirage at first: A fresh water spring in the shape of a crescent moon set in the middle of vast echoing sand mountains along the famous Silk Route. But it’s not. Climb up the dunes surrounding the lake, and when the wind is a little more than a light breeze, you’ll hear the sand produce a musical tone. Slide down the dune and the sound of a thunderous drum roll will soon engulf your ears.
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It’ll take a while to get to this remote island chain but it is worth it. Here, a unique wildlife hasn’t learnt to fear humans. That’s why you’ll have to watch your feet while walking the park’s trails to avoid stepping on iguanas or nesting birds. Wake up on the New Year morning and swim next to sea lions and turtles. This pristine stretch of Earth is home to an unusual set of neighbours, from a blue-footed booby to fur seals, giant tortoises and penguins.
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If it’s Mississippi, can a trumpet blast be far behind? Enjoy the local music that accompanies the fleur-de-lis (a stylised lily) drop by the Mississippi river. On New Year’s Eve, a large baby sculpture—with the fleur-de-lis symbol on its headgear—is lowered from a pole or a building. You can also groove into Jackson Square and Bourbon Street, or take your pick from the wildest balcony parties to an authentic experience of a brass band-filled evening at the French Quarter while tasting crawfish etouffee, a Cajun delicacy.
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You can bet that this will be one non-stop party on the Strip. Dynamic action on the dance floor is guaranteed by big-ticket DJs and the hip-hop stars you’ve been gawking at in videos. Bring that stash of wads along with your close drinking buddies, dress to impress (everyone here does) and hop on the roulette. (PS: Drake’s taking the stage at Hakkasan at MGM Grand on New Year’s Eve.)
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The intense orange of the dunes set against the salt and clay pans makes for a surreal desert landscape that has made Sossusvlei the most photographed place in Namibia. Watch the sunrise on a hot air balloon over this landscape or go on a guided walk to see the flora and fauna. If all the pampering at the luxury desert lodges isn’t enough, there’s more: This is one of the best places in the world to stargaze.
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Float in the sky on a hot air balloon for a glimpse of a spectacular volcanic landscape sculpted by erosion and minaret-like rock formations. Get a grand welcome on touchdown with a glass of champagne. That should help you on your way to exploring a landscape littered with underground cave dwellings, a legacy dating back to the 4th century.
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