How do you plan to spend2019New Year’s? If you’re tired of just watching101the New Year’s fireworks, then2019why not embark on an overseas countdown trip on New Year’s Eve? Carefully selected by travel experts,6these six super-popular international New Year’s experiences will satisfy all your countdown desires — whether you want to watch fireworks from a luxury cruise, celebrate as a family, or hit the slopes in style. This guide has got you covered.2019Countdown to your overseas New Year’s trip begins now!
2019?Recommended Overseas Countdown Experiences #1?Must-Do for Party Lovers — Sydney, Australia
(Recommended Overseas Countdown Experience — Sydney, Australia | Photo Credit:TripbaaFunBar!Asia’s Leading Free Independent Travel Experts)
(Recommended Overseas Countdown Experience — Sydney, Australia | Photo Credit:TripbaaFunBar!Asia’s Leading Free Independent Travel Experts)
When it comes to the world’s top New Year’s destination, Sydney, Australia naturally comes to mind. Entering the new year three hours earlier than Taiwan, what makes New Year’s in Australia so special? Each year, the annual Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve fireworks display attracts crowds who gather to count down together amid an electric atmosphere, and to witness one of the largest fireworks shows on the planet. Alternatively, hop aboard a luxury yacht and enjoy a crowded-free countdown party on the water, feeling the fireworks’ brilliance up close as midnight strikes.
Today, our experts have prepared two Sydney New Year’s experiences. The first, ‘Ring in Sydney in Style with Stunning Fireworks,’ lets you explore the city with a local expert and attend the countdown event, with all nights spent at4.5star-rated hotels. The second, ‘New Year’s Fireworks on Sydney HarbourNancyCruise,’ allows you to skip the hassle of early arrivals and crowded spaces, and instead enjoy a relaxed countdown on a luxury cruiser, watching the fireworks in comfort.2019Welcome the New Year in style!
★ RecommendedAttractions: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach
2019Recommended Overseas Countdown Experience #2?Perfect for Families — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(Recommended Overseas Countdown Experience — Malaysia | Photo Credit:shanim / Flickr)
Looking to ring in the New Year abroad with your family, but not keen on group tours or worried about the limitations of DIY travel? Our expert recommends this vibrant Southeast Asian nation filled with Chinese warmth. Here, you can enjoy the dazzling fireworks show at the world’s tallest twin towers — the Petronas Towers. No language barriers or culinary concerns, plus our custom-designed private car tours let you craft a highly flexible itinerary tailored perfectly for the whole family.
★ RecommendedAttractions: Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Jalan Alor Night Market
2019Recommended Overseas Countdown Experience #3?Essential for Travelers — Bangkok, Thailand
(Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad – Bangkok, Thailand | Photo source:TripbaaFun Bar!)
(Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad – Bangkok, Thailand | Photo source:Nik Cyclist / Flickr)
If you just want to make the most of your long holiday by traveling abroad for the New Year but don’t want to fly too far or be too worn out, then Bangkok, Thailand is a great choice. Not only can you escape the cold, but the cost of living is also more affordable. Moreover, Taiwan’s winter is Thailand’s cool season, which means it rarely rains and the weather is pleasantly cool. If you’re looking for a more festive New Year vibe, you can also head toCentral World, where there will be performances by popular artists as well as dazzling fireworks – it’s a really lively event!
The expert’s special New Year's itinerary: ‘A Six-Day In-depth Tour of the Thai-Myanmar Border.’ We exclusively hire a seasoned Thai travel guide to take you around Bangkok’s attractions in a6-10small group. Not only will they share historical and geographical stories, but they will also introduce you to the diverse cultures, lifestyles, and values of the locals. Together, you’ll explore markets to find quirky vegetables, fruits, agricultural products, food, and snacks, visit one of Thailand’s top ten spiritual temples – the Tree in Temple, and even see the glowing Firefly River!
★ RecommendedAttractions: The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Floating Markets, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Ayutthaya Ruins
2019Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad #4?Essential for outdoor enthusiasts – Skiing at Mount Fuji, Japan
(Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad – Skiing at Mount Fuji | Photo source:Ahia / Flickr)
Why not take advantage of your New Year’s trip abroad to squeeze in a Japanese adventure? But since Japanese New Year’s Day is a time when most people are resting, why not spend that time skiing at Mount Fuji instead?Snowtown Yetiis a ski resort located at an altitude of2meters near Mount Fuji and is famous for its backdrop of the mountain. So after warming up, you can head straight to the slopes without having to take a cable car. Start the new year in a new way by setting fresh travel goals.
You can use a ski package that includes a1day ski pass, as well as either skiing or snowboarding equipment (including board and boots), plus a round-trip highway bus shuttle from Shinjuku!
2019Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad #5?Essential for vacationers – Hawaii, USA
(Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad – Hawaii, USA | Photo source:Edmund Garman / Flickr)
If you're looking for a place full of energy to celebrate the New Year abroad, then the vacation paradise of Hawaii is definitely at the top of the list. During the day, enjoy sunshine, beaches, and bikinis; at night, indulge in delicious food, fine wine, and relaxation. When all this beauty meets the annual New Year’s Eve, the entire sky lights up with fireworks. Raise your glass together to toast2019the New Year – how could such a trip not be dreamy?
★ RecommendedAttractions: Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Beach, Kualoa Ranch
2019Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad #6?Essential for culture lovers – Hokkaido, Japan
(Recommended ways to ring in the New Year abroad – Hokkaido, Japan | Photo source:pixabay)
(Recommended ways to celebrate New Year's abroad – Hokkaido, Japan | Image source:pixabay)
Compared to the lively New Year celebrations in Europe and America, Japan marks the occasion in a more tranquil way, with temples starting to ring their bells108at midnight, symbolizing the casting away of worldly worries. But in Hokkaido, which resembles a silver-white world, the real New Year celebration takes place the next morning with a visit to the temple to pray for good fortune, paired with a bowl of traditional New Year’s soup – ozoni, welcoming the new year with joy and peace.
This time, our travel expert has specially curated an authentic Japanese New Year experience for you: start by putting on the essential traditional kimono, then head to Hokkaido Shrine to sincerely pray for your New Year wishes. In the afternoon, admire the snow-covered scenery of Otaru, and in the evening, end the New Year’s Day with the stunning night view from Mt. Moiwa. Plus, the expert has also prepared a serving of ozoni, a must-eat dish on Japanese New Year’s Day.
★ RecommendedAttractions: Mt. Moiwa Ropeway, Hokkaido Shrine, Odori Park, Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
More travel information:
2019 Lunar New Year Travel | Super trendy new experiences!
Popular overseas destinations & activities for winter vacation & Chinese New Year
2018 Japanese Christmas illuminations, Christmas markets, and exclusive theme park events – celebrate Christmas in joy
2018 Top 10 must-visit winter festivals in Korea, Christmas illuminations, and Christmas markets
2019 Holiday Travel Guide: These are the times you SHOULDN’T go to Japan!
2019 Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve Cruise – 4.5-star preview!
5 great reasons to go skiing in Korea during New Year’s, plus Q&A