Where to Go for New Year

Celebrating New Year in another country is a lovely tradition, but there’s a catch: lots of other people want to go there too. So the main rule of New Year travel is to decide on your destination early. Below are options for different moods.

A warm sea

The UAE

The most popular New Year destination from Tashkent. It’s warm, the flight is short, and Dubai hosts one of the most famous New Year fireworks shows. Bear in mind that on New Year’s Eve the areas around the main landmarks are extremely crowded and some streets are closed. If you want to watch the fireworks, plan in advance where you’ll be: a restaurant with a view, the waterfront or your hotel grounds.

Thailand and Vietnam

It’s the dry season here at this time: a warm sea, sunshine and beach parties. Phuket and Phu Quoc are great for both couples and families. The flight is longer, so plan for at least 9–10 nights.

The Maldives

New Year on an island is an expensive but unforgettable option. Resorts put on festive dinners and programs. You need to book well in advance, and many hotels set a minimum stay over the holidays.

More warm destinations in our guide where to go for a winter beach holiday.

A wintry atmosphere in Europe

If you want a real winter fairy tale rather than a beach, choose European cities with Christmas markets: Prague with its decorated old town, Paris with its lights, Vienna and Budapest. In Europe the celebrations start long before New Year: Christmas markets usually open in late November.

A trip to Europe requires a Schengen visa, so you need to start preparing even earlier, several months ahead.

Close and festive

Istanbul

Istanbul at New Year means lights, the Bosphorus, restaurants and shopping. There’s no beach, but there’s a vibrant city. A convenient option for 4–5 days.

Georgia and Azerbaijan

Tbilisi and Baku are nearby destinations with a welcoming atmosphere, great food and festive streets. They’re good for a trip with friends. In Georgia in winter you can add a couple of days at a ski resort.

What to consider when booking

• Gala dinner. At many hotels the festive dinner on December 31 is mandatory and charged separately. Ask about it straight away.
• Minimum stay. Over the holidays, hotels often only accept guests for several nights in a row.
• Cancellation terms. They’re usually stricter for New Year dates. Read them before paying.
• Flights. Convenient departures on December 29–31 sell out first. Flying out on January 1–2 is often more convenient and cheaper.

How to save

The most effective way is to book early. The second is to shift your dates: a holiday from January 2–3 to the end of the school break is usually noticeably more affordable than a trip that includes New Year’s Eve. The third is to choose less obvious destinations.

New Year with children

Families with children usually choose the UAE or resort hotels in warm countries: a kids’ club, a festive program and a heated pool make the holiday easy for parents. Bear in mind that it’s hard for children to stay out on crowded streets until midnight. Many families find it easier to celebrate at the hotel and watch the fireworks from a balcony or the beach.

With a group of friends

For a group, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Baku or Thailand work well. You can rent a large villa or apartment with room for everyone and plan the festive evening yourselves. The bigger the group, the earlier you should start booking.

How many nights to book

For nearby destinations such as the UAE, Istanbul or Georgia, people usually book 4–6 nights. For Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives, 8–9 nights or more: the flight is long, the New Year dates are expensive, and a short trip isn’t worth it.

Want to celebrate New Year while traveling? Message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1, send a request right now or call +998 99 760-82-88: a manager will find options that take into account hotels’ holiday terms, your dates and your budget.