HT Localization Presents Language Translations for Real Life: Top New Year’s Eve Destinations

Segment 29 –Top New Year’s Eve Destinations

As the clock struck 12 this past New Year’s Eve, I looked around at my dear family and friends feverishly gulping down seedless grapes – one by one, trying not to choke, while keeping up with the ringing clock of Puerto del Sol in Madrid.

It was indeed a wonderful sight to see; we weren't the only ones, our Spanish counterparts – grapes in one hand, a flute of cava in the other, all eagerly waiting for the last ring to sound marking the New Year 2014.       I ♥ New Year’s Eve...

It is by far one of the best celebrations of the year across the world, and each year, it seems to get better.  Traditions differ from city to city, and whether you are ringing in the New Year at an outrageous party in Times Square, or a quaint dinner party overlooking the Eiffel Tower amidst vibrant fireworks – as long as you have someone to kiss (strangers count too!), you know that the new year will be filled with all your hopes and dreams of success, good health, prosperity and love. 

Where are the best cities to be on that so special night and what makes them the best of the best?  I took a look at a few “top ten” lists, and compared to my own personal experiences…

Kitzbühel, Austria - New Year’s Eve celebrations in Kitzbuhel is characterized by gala dinners in the town’s hotels and restaurants, horse drawn sleigh rides on traffic-free cobblestone streets and a traditional torch journey that takes place on the slopes, with a beautiful firework display as skiers pass the finish line.

Las Vegas, USA - No place on Earth throws a party like Las Vegas. Laser shows, live bands (with some of the world’s biggest names) and pyrotechnic displays take over the streets, parties that often include discos, concerts and amazing firework displays.

Toronto, Canada - Quickly gaining ground as a hot New Year’s Eve city destination. Traditional celebrations take place at Nathan Phillips Square as thousands gather to watch live performances, or a cruise around Toronto’s harbor with dinner under the stars and a spectacular firework display.

New York, USA – The place to be on New Year’s Eve. With this event being broadcast live to millions of people all over the world, it is no surprise that New Year’s Eve in Times Square has become a global celebration. The New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is by far the highlight of the night and an old tradition of the city dating back to 1907.  

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Its famous Copacabana beach hosts the city’s major festivities, with stages along the beach, laser shows and firework displays offering an unforgettable night to crowds of more than 2 million. Decked out in white (the color that is said to bring good luck for the year ahead) and sipping on champagne, people like to dance to the samba.

Sydney, Australia - See the best and biggest display of fireworks in the world at Sydney Harbour. The first major city to welcome in the New Year, Sydney draws a crowd of more than 1 million people to watch the spectacular display of fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Okay, I only listed 6 here, which are said to be amazing, since I haven’t actually experienced these designations on New Year’s Eve I prefer to get on with my own personal list...

New Orleans, USA - New Year's Eve is celebrated a little bit differently. Jackson Square in the Quarter is packed with festive party-goers eager to count down the time until the New Year arrives.  In New Orleans, they drop a baby! - A “Baby New Year” drops from its perch on the top of Jax Brewery followed by a magnificent fireworks show over the Mississippi. Then onto Bourbon Street to party til’ the early morning – no going home until daybreak!  – Been there done that, and lived to tell about it!

Paris, France - In Paris New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with a feast, le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. Fireworks and events tend to concentrate around the iconic Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees areas of the city, and a spectacular light show. I have been in Paris having that special dinner while overlooking the magical Eiffel Tower with a backdrop of fireworks during New Year’s Eve, and can confirm it is a fabulous and truly romantic experience. – Must do at least once in your life!

Washington DC, USA - Washington DC is very serious about its responsibilities as the nation's capital city, and on New Year’s Eve (until relatively recently – I’m told) this manifested itself in its requirement to provide the most spectacular fireworks display representing the U.S.A.  Crowds would head towards Capitol Hill and the National Washington Monument to watch the fireworks light up the city skyline and highlight all of DC’s famous landmarks. (Baltimore’s Inner Harbor’s fireworks show isn't bad either!) – Breathtaking display synchronized with music, makes you tearfully proud.

Hong Kong, HK - While Chinese New Year is the bigger event, they still put on a great show for the western New Year too, possibly due to the high number of expats, and the fantastically cosmopolitan nature of the place. The biggest fireworks display in Hong Kong is the spectacular show over Victoria Harbour. Or instead, you could head for the Two International Finance Centre, where there will be a large digital display counting down the last 60 seconds to midnight on a huge digital clock on the side of the building. – That’s where I was on Dec 31, 1998 when China got HK back from the Brits!

San Francisco, USA - San Francisco is a special place to spend a romantic and magical New Years’ experience. With its amazing fireworks above the SF Bay and the impressive backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, the main show is best viewed from the Embarcadero where you can see the pyrotechnics set to background music. Crowds also gather around the Ferry Building and Justin Herman Plaza to ring in the New Year. In my opinion, the best view is on one of the highest rooftops you can find on one of the tallest hills (Pacific Heights works) or downtown Embarcadero area. –That’s where we partied like it was 1999 (actually it was Dec 31, 1999)!

Madrid, Spain - Spain has a unique tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s. This is an age old ritual started by the King of Spain; 12 grapes for the occasion are slowly eaten as the clock strikes midnight - one for each of the twelve chimes to be precise. The 12 grapes represent the 12 months of the year and by eating the grapes at midnight, you will attract good luck and good fortune for the rest of the year. The Puerta del Sol Square becomes the center for the ringing of bells ritual at 12 AM in Madrid. Thousands of people gather in Madrid and wait for the bells to ring which symbolizes the arrival of New Year.  – Make sure you buy seedless grapes, and wash them down with Cava!

So there you have it, my picks for the top New Year’s Eve destinations. While there are many phenomenal places not on my list or other said Top 10 lists out there, I am sure that no matter where you are in the world, as long has you have someone to kiss and embrace at that precise moment, all your dreams and hopes for the New Year will be fulfilled.  Happy New Year!

 … Stay tuned for the next Segment of HT Localization Presents Language Translations for Real Life Series, where we’ll continue … with more stuff.

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This article was written by Rachanee Thevenet, Co-Founder of HT Localization.  Rachanee is an Asian-American expat living in Spain with her family.  She loves all things international including food, art, literature, culture, languages and people.  She has years of professional product marketing expertise and global expansion experience.

HT Localization, LLC. is a worldwide translation & localization agency providing a full range of professional language translation services, including social media localization, marketing translations, website translations, software localization, eLearning materials, documentation translations, etc.  With locations in the US, Spain, France, Zambia & Thailand, and coverage across all languages and most industries, HT Localization is well positioned to provide around the globe services for all translation needs.  

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