New Year is always the best excuse for having new beginnings, to recapitulate, to learn, to value and of course, to party. The celebration to receive a new year is millenary, although, it is very different at each corner of the world, due to cultural influences, history, religion and even weather and location.

As time goes by, this celebration has become global, but the most entrenched traditions of each culture are preserved, resulting in an impressive variety of New Year celebrations, worth knowing and experiencing. Up next, we will tell you how some of the most emblematic and exotic sites of the world celebrate the arrival of a new year.

London

London is one of the quintessential winter beauty cities, whose year-end celebration is one of the most impressive on the planet. London alone beholds unique views and monumental sites with an immense past.

One of the most iconic spots in all London is undoubtedly, the London Eye, which at New Year’s eve is filled with lights, colors and festivity, becoming the heart of the celebration.

A few years ago on the last day of December, the fireworks show and the fair were free for all, however now there is a second modality in which for 10 euros it is possible to witness the magic in the front row.

In this mode it is possible to enter 100,000 people into a private area where you can fully admire the lights festival as well as to enjoy performances and traditional food.

However, the party can be enjoyed from any point in this area of the city. The best areas are color-coded, located at sites such as Westminster Bridge, Embankment Station or Waterloo Bridge.

During the last days of December public transportation is free at night and museums remain open to make the tourism experience even richer. Other Charming special places in London to celebrate the arrival of the new year are the luxurious Charing Cross Hotel, the Thames cruise or the Sky Bar London.

Cape Town, South Africa

Meanwhile, in the contrasting African continent takes place one of the most majestic New Year’s Eve carnivals in the world, which for many could compete with Rio de Janeiro’s carnival while being incomparably luxurious.

Cape Town, South Africa celebrates with stunning artistic performances amid the exotic natural areas that blend with the most sumptuous amenities. A fireworks show falls on the V&A Waterfront opening the festivities with a traditional South African parade.

The above is only the beginning of a celebration that continues onto the pier, where the most opulent yachts sail. In addition, you can enjoy an exclusive dinner into the strand in one of the main international food restaurants, as well as the magnificent gala dinners

One of the most important dinners in Cape Town is the Mount Nelson Hotel, which shall have a ball. For its own, Clos Malverne, considered to be the best restaurant in Stellenbosch, is not far behind in the list with their party in the beautiful vineyards of the area.

During the celebration there are also outdoor concerts, such as the one offered in the beautiful botanical garden, where picnics can also take place.

Norway

For winter lovers, in all its splendor with all that this implies, Norway is the place which offers the most extreme and beautiful winter landscapes. All of this because, what could be more special than receiving the new year with northern lights?

Norway really is a shocking country, where its inhabitants have learned to respect the exotic nature taking it by the hand of the spectacular technological advances which make its cities some of the most progressive in the world.

However, there are small regions where you can enjoy the most beautiful Nordic Christmas traditions in a unique and special winter atmosphere. Places like Bergen or Stavanger, that are small and beautiful villages whose main attractions are the guided visits into the forest to admire aurora borealis, the typical delicious food and the large number of museums.

On the other hand, Trondheim is a Norwegian county located on the banks of the Nidelva river, a little unknown place that receives the greater part of the tourism because it’s in the route of the Hurtigruten cruiser.

Also, by being Norway’s third largest city, Trondheim offers a wide variety of options to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a different and original way. Most of the traditional and luxurious hotels in the area are located in this county, in addition to Nidaros Cathedral, the most important and ancient of the country and whose end of the year concert is a real masterpiece.

Needless to say, snowfalls in these areas are very strong, but at the same time will give you a beautiful christmas atmosphere. Tromso is another charming Norwegian province where the breathtaking views can be appreciated comfortably.

Formed by a beautiful and picturesque old town, the city of Tromso also gives the opportunity to admire northern lights, having also the chance to also to observe the landscapes from the heights in the funicular.

In Tromso lies the striking Arctic Cathedral, as well as Polaria, the polar-life museum. In here Christmas is lived in a homely way, with activities during the last days of December.

These are just some of the most beautiful hideouts of the world where traditional celebrations highlight the natural and cultural beauty of the planet. The contrasts and the diversity provides of a striking palette of colors, flavors, smells and parties. What place in the world is the best for you to receive the New Year?