6. REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

With only four hours of daylight in late December, locals in the northernmost capital of the world are ready to party like no one else. Reykjavik may be one of the coldest places of the world, but Iceland’s capital puts on one of the hottest celebrations on the planet.

The land of fire and ice celebrates New Year's Eve with community bonfires that are meant to symbolize the burning away of the previous year’s troubles, around which people play music, sing folk songs and dance dressed up as elves and trolls. Meanwhile, fireworks light up from every corner of the city thanks to fairly relaxed government restrictions because this is the only time of year that locals are permitted to purchase fireworks.

As midnight approaches, crowds gather around local landmarks like Perlan and Landakotskirkja church for the best views of the official celebration of the city, after which they head to bars and clubs and the celebrations go on well into the morning. There are plenty of private parties and smaller happenings going on all over the city that makes this night an extraordinary experience.

Usually the Northern Lights appearto complement the already spectacular displays of pyrotechnics.

7. CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

New Year’s celebrations last for three days in this vibrant South African city. Only in Cape Town can you enter in the New Year atop one of the world’s most astonishing natural wonders.

On New Year’s Eve, the Victoria & Albert Waterfront hosts a concert and midnight fireworks.

As the Mother City celebrates below, revelers on top of Table Mountain can picnic and party until 12:30 am, with an unobstructed view of the V&A Waterfront fireworks.

The Victoria Falls New Year’s Carnival includes a carnival-themed train and live musicperformances and a variety of other entertainment including DJs in the Cape Quarter keep things going well into the night.

On New Year’s Day and the day after, thousands head to local beaches. The luxurious hotels located along Cape Town’s stunning V&A waterfront treats guests to the best and offer great city and ocean views, plus fine dining and a wellness and spa accommodation.

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival parades through downtown, with 10,000 performers dancing and singing in the streets, a tradition that dates back to the 19th-century. 

8. PARIS, FRANCE

The City of Light lives up to its nickname on New Year’s Eve, when the Eiffel Tower becomes the site of a spectacular fireworks display. The City of Light becomes a city of fireworks on New Year’s Eve. At midnight, fireworks burst from the entire length of Eiffel Tower’s iron structure, in one of this evening’s most beautiful displays on the world. The streets of the Paris truly come alive with thousands of people celebrating - smaller fireworks can be legally bought and sold in Paris, which means party of color and sound all night long under Arc de Triomphe.

Nearby, Parisians ring in the Nouvelle Année on the Champs-Élysées hosts a massive street party, where they pop bottles of Champagne and exchange papillotes (chocolates wrapped in sparkly paper that crackles like a firecracker when opened).

Other gathering spots with great views include the steps of Sacré-Couer church and the Trocadéro.

 For an alternate area that’s less crowded, if you’d like a more intimate celebration and a little privacy, Montmarteoffers equally good views of the fireworks, or you can book an elegant dinner cruise on the Seine-it doesn’t get much more romantic.

9. VIENNA, AUSTRIA

A great ambience can be enjoyed as much at a gala dinner or festive ball as it can at a concert, the opera, in a hip club or a sophisticated bar.

Those wanting a somewhat more cultured celebration should enjoy a visit here. Dignified balls, classical music concerts and some of the world’s best symphonies are offered on New Year’s Eve.

When the chimes of the Pummerin bell ring out from the tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral a fireworks show begins over Prater Park . The Majestic Imperator train, a “palace on rails,” takes guests into the New Year in luxurious style with a black-tie dinner and a stop on a Danube bridge at midnight for an incredible view of the city’s fireworks.

This atmospheric city is famous for its New Year’s Eve Grand Ball, hosted at Hofburg Palace, but there’s more to offer than just old fashion and elegance.

Fueled by mulled wine, and toffee apples, the party starts at 2 pm in this Austrian city and goes until well after midnight, with fireworks appearing over the Wiener Prater fair.

For a more casual party, on 1st January, a huge crowd gathers outside the Rathaus (City Hall) to watch the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert on a big LED screen in front of it.

Vienna’s famous Christmas markets transform into New Year’s fairs, and hundreds of thousands of revelers crowd the Silvesterpfad (New Year’s Path) in the city center on New Year’s Eve.

10. BANGKOK, THAILAND

Enter in the New Year at the one of the largest shopping center in the world, or celebrating with your significant other on a dinner cruise -both options are available if you decide to spend last days of the year in Bangkok. In this metropolis locals and expats come together for New Year’s Eve festivities, the centerpiece of which is a massive gathering in Central World Square.

The crowd numbers hundreds of thousands, and entertainment includes a spectacular light show, live concerts, and video screens projecting celebrations from around the world. At midnight, of course, a series of fireworks displays illuminate the riverside.

Afterward, the party continues at nightclubs and the lively beer gardens lining the streets.

Whatever you decide to do, the experience promises to be one you won't forget.

By Tanja Loncina