If you’re looking for a little adventure this New Year’s Eve, then alternative celebratory destinations could be the best way to go.
Going off the map or away from capital cities for a NYE mini break can be extra rewarding with prices often found to be cheaper outside of capital cities – and a more local feel meaning your 2017 can start with an extra friendly vibe.
Paris, Copenhagen, and Berlin can wait for some other time in the New Year – here we present a list of cheaper alternatives!
Denmark – Aarhus instead of Copenhagen
Aarhus is the second biggest city in Denmark with over 320,000 locals with dramatic sea views and plenty of Scandanavian influence.
A slightly unusual Danish tradition is to literally ‘jump into new year’ by leaping from a chair when midnight comes so have a stool ready for the stroke of midnight – just be sure to consider how much you’ve had to drink before deciding the height you want to jump from.
Looking for somewhere to stay? The 4 star Helnan Marselis Hotel is as close to the sea as you can get without being in it! Dramatic ocean views mixed with plush hotel suite furnishings – what’s not to love?
Rooms available from £64 via Hotels.com
Italy – Turin instead of Rome
Turin might be the capital city of the north region of Piedmont but in some ways it has more to offer in Winter than Italian capital Rome.
Being far in the north, visitors can expect snow to fall (for a true festive feel) while local wine made in the summer months can be found at bargain prices.
Food lovers can guarantee to be well fed (Italians do food like no others) with many restaurants offering traditional five course meals to ring in 2017! (The diet can start on January 2.)
The 3 star Hotel Orchidea Turin might be a little on the basic side, but it is based smack in the middle of town and close to Torino Porta Susa train station.
Rooms available from £30 via Booking.com
Spain – Seville instead of Madrid
While Europe might not exactly offer the greatest locations for winter sun, temperatures in Seville at least rarely dip below 10 degrees in Winter (positively balmy compared to the sub-zero temperatures of the UK).
The Spanish city is a great alternative to capital city Madrid – and in some ways is a little like multiple European destinations in one.
Of course there are plenty of examples of Spanish architecture and restaurants to ensure you never forget that you are in Spain – but there is almost a slight French vibe to the colourful buildings in Plaza del Salvador, while a row boat through the Piza de Espana in Maria Luisa Park could almost be like a gondola ride in Venice.
Hotels are available for under £30 from Amoma.com
France – Lyon instead of Paris
You don’t need Paris to find love – Lyon is a pretty romantic city in itself.
The city is known as the Capital of Lights due to the light festival that runs at the beginning of December – but there will be plenty of bright distractions when it comes time to ring in the new year. Lyon puts on impressive rive-side displays – and is also a great location to sample all the delights that the south of France has to offer with incredible food and wine on offer.
Lyon also frequently ranks highly on ‘most liveable city to live in’ polls meaning you know you are heading to a place that is accommodating.
Great hotels can be found with rooms available for under £50 via Expedia.co.uk
Germany – Munich instead of Berlin
December 31 might be way too late for Oktoberfest, but there is still a tonne of things to do and see in the impressive German city of Munich.
The city is also one of the wildest for New Year as it becomes one giant party location for the night.
Great fireworks displays are guaranteed – but Munich is also known for locals all setting off fireworks themselves so the sky is ablaze with exploding sights.
It is also tradition for people to wear red underwear (be sure to pack some!) as superstition says this will ensure a happy love life for the year ahead.
Decent – if basic – hotels can be found (like the Meininger) for under £40 via HostelWorld
Croatia – Kings Landing instead of Dubrovnik
Okay, okay… so Kings Landing might not actually be real, but Game of Thrones fans heading to Croatia might recognise many of the streets and buildings as key locations from the hit HBO fantasy show.
The city of Dubrovnik has stood in for the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros since the second series of the show began.
Ring in the New Year in the iconic streets as parties spill out in public.
Local bands will be performing live and the firework displays take place in the Old Town.
The Berkley hotel might be a little modest but overlooks the Gruz Harbor and Adriatic Sea.
Hotel rooms start from £45 direct from iHotelier.com
Holland – The Hague instead of Amsterdam
A controversial choice – mixing politics and Europe… But with Brexit not in effect for at least another two years, why not check out this destination that is a centre of international affairs.
The European parliament is over in Brussels so we shouldn’t get too many stern looks when our British voices are heard, but The Hague is home to many United Nations buildings and the International Court of Justice.
But enough politics! What about the fun factor? Well the Hague offers a wide range of bars and restaurants to cater all tastes – while New Years events include the traditional Staatsloterij firewords show and bonfires on the beach in Duindorp and Scheveningen – both events attracting tens of thousands each year.
Locals have noticed a trend showing crime decreasing each year so this is one of the safest places to celebrate the New Year.
Meanwhile hotels can be cheap. The Ramada – while a little corporate – offers great accommodation on a budget and is located in the middle of all the action the Dutch city has to offers.
Rooms start at £36 on priceline.com
Poland – Gdansk instead of Warsaw
At the north of Poland, tucked along the coast of the Baltic sea, is picturesque town Gdansk.
The medieval port will be captivating in the light of fireworks come midnight but there are plenty of things to do before the clock strikes 12.
With bars and restaurants galore, there is no excuse not to try the Polish tradition of herring and vodka (the fish is chased with alcohol – and you’ll love it by the fifth round whether you like fish or not).
Also check out the impressive buildings, architecture and history.
Hotel rooms can be found via hotels.com – with the impressive Q Hotel Grand Cru Gdansk being both comfortable and a stones through from the Old Town and Long Market.
Rooms start from £43.
UK – Glasgow instead of Edinburgh
Everyone knows that the Scots basically invented New Years with the giant Hogmanay celebrations in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh being one of the biggest parties in the world.
But Glasgow puts on a pretty good bash too.
As always celebrations include street parties, club nights, and general merriment all over the city (but head to Ashton Lane and George Square for big Auld Lang Syne moments).
Cheap hotel rooms are not hard to find! But if you fancy staying in an 18th century stone-built townhouse, the Merchant City Inn offers modest rooms at very low prices.
Rooms start from £48 on Expedia.co.uk
What are your NYE 2017 plans? Let us know via Twitter and Facebook (@CloserOnline).
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