Ringing in the New Year

The build-up to Christmas can be so hectic that New Year celebrations are often left on the back burner until those three or four detox days between the two festivals. So here's a quick guide to 10 of the best places to bid farewell to the Noughties and ring in 2010.

10) Dublin
Sneaking into the Top 10, Dublin is, once more, a great place to ring in the New Year. The boom years led almost every establishment with a liquor licence introduce a hefty cover charge on New Year's Eve. Thankfully, those days are long gone and with lots of people out of town, most pubs are accessible with plenty of options for all. For a traditional night out, wander about some of the best pubs in the world - Kehoe's, The Stag's Head, Mulligan's - and end up at Christ Church Cathedral just before midnight to ring in the New Year to the chimes of the old church bells. Don't forget the champagne and plastic glasses.

9) Barcelona
New Year's Eve or not, you're guaranteed a great night out in Barcelona. The Catalan capital likes a party and while a lot of locals celebrate at home with the family, the city centre only gets going after the New Year has kicked in. And then it continues well into the early hours, especially around El Raval and the Gothic Quarter. It's tradition in these parts to eat one grape for each of the chimes that ring in the New Year. Best of luck finding a bunch of grapes - a glass of red wine may have to suffice.

8) Auckland
Celebrating in Auckland will ensure that you are one of the first to ring in the New Year - unless you're in Chatham Island or Kiritimati. New Zealand's biggest city is a renowned party town and New Year's Eve brings lots of activity around the recently redeveloped harbour area, complete with obligatory fireworks display. It's also the middle of summer in New Zealand so there is no better time of year to be in one of the most picturesque countries in the world.

7) Amsterdam
Known locally as Oudjaarsdag (Old Year's Day), Amsterdam is famous for its end of year celebrations. Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, Nieuwmarkt and Leidseplein are where most of the action takes place. Fireworks are everywhere and it's a bit of a free for all so keep your eyes open.

Alternatively, you can take a step back and enjoy the displays from any of the canal bridges as the clock strikes 12. Then it's back to the traditional nightlife of the city where the pubs and clubs go late. Many events are ticket only affairs so check with local guides or hotels to avoid disappointment.

6) Rio De Janeiro
If you've only ever rang in the New Year with woolly hats and gloves, it will be a very pleasant, if surreal, experience to spend New Year's Eve soaking up the sunrays chilling on Ipanema beach. Rio is famed for its Mardi Gras Carnival and the New Year party is another serious occasion of celebration. The Copacabana beach is the main place to ring in the New Year as the fireworks display is considered to be the best in the world. If you're the sporty type, you can always swap the Rio party for the world famous 15km Saint Silvester Road Race in neighbouring Sao Paulo. Or maybe not.

5) Paris
Another one of the iconic New Year locations, with the Eiffel Tower dominating celebrations in the French capital. The parks surrounding the tower are thronged with revellers to enjoy the firework displays, while there is also a party atmosphere along the Champs-Élysées. Alternatively, head up to the Sacre Coeur for amazing panoramic views of the city. New Year's Day is another day of celebration with an entertaining parade on offer.

4) Berlin
Anyone who has experienced the Berlin Love Parade will vouch that this city knows how to throw a party. The New Year is welcomed by a festival of one million or so hardy souls, who line the 2km stretch from Victory Column to the Brandenburg Gate.

Freezing cold conditions are tolerated thanks to food stalls, music stages, dance tents and, of course, beer gardens. A monster fireworks display rings in the New Year, while the party continues long into the early hours.

3) New York
There is never a bad time to visit the Big Apple and while it might be cold on 31 December, the party spirit will warm the cockles to ensure a night to remember. Times Square is the traditional spot for the lowering of the giant Waterford Crystal Ball and the countdown to midnight. Make sure to get a pair of novelty glow-in-the-dark glasses, sporting the New Year in the frame. The 2010 version won't be as symmetrical as the 2009 equivalent, but I'm sure the luminous-effect will last just as long as ever - about five minutes, if you're lucky.

2) Sydney
As it is one of the first major cities to ring in the New Year, television pictures of Sydney celebrating are beamed across the world as soon as that first firework illuminates the sky above the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Sydney might be one of the first to celebrate, but it is, more importantly, one of the best and a benchmark for all the other main cities around the world.

New Year's Eve is a mid-summer festival in these parts so follow the locals' example and fill an Esky (or two) with as much food and drink as you can manage and make your way down to the harbour for the most memorable picnic of your life. Don't forget a blanket or two to mark out your territory. Watch the Aussies in action; they almost have it down to an art form at this stage.

1) Edinburgh
Without question, the king of all New Year parties. When it comes to celebrating in Scotland, Christmas is no more than a minor supporting act for the Hogmanay festival.

The City Centre shuts down and a ticket is required to enter Princes Street where 100,000 partygoers will ring in the New Year as a magnificent fireworks display lights up Edinburgh Castle.

It's a five-day event in Edinburgh, starting off with a torchlight procession on 29 December and finishing with a Scottish dance festival, Off Kilter, for those left standing on Day Five.

And just to prove that Scots take these celebrations just a bit more seriously than anywhere else, they are rewarded with not one, but two Bank Holidays to help them recover.

For more info on the Hogmanay celebrations, visit: www.edinburghshogmanay.com.

Ed Leahy

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