5 places to spend New Year’s Eve outside of Canada

Nov 13 2019, 3:50 pm

New Years Eve 2020 is approaching, and not to make it a really big deal, but it’s kind of a really big deal. After all, we’re entering a new decade!

But with the stakes this high, planning the ultimate night can seem a bit overwhelming, and it can be easy to feel jaded with all the repetitive NYE options you’ve already visited. Rooftop bar with fireworks? Check. Party where everyone wears a mask? Check. Sitting alone watching TV? Probably also check.

For something new this New Year’s Eve, why not base your special night around KAYAK‘s top cities gaining momentum during this popular time for travel? Check out five of this year’s top trending cities to ring in 2020 in exotic, laid-back style.

St. Lucia

Castries, St. Lucia/Shutterstock

Who says NYE has to be all rooftop bars and skyscrapers? You can have just as much fun at a tranquil island escape. In fact, according to KAYAK, travelers are heading to St. Lucia three times as much as they used to be. Picture scenery from Jurassic Park and turquoise waters for days and you’ve got St. Lucia.

Explore the white sand beaches of Soufrière, cruise around on a catamaran, or take a zip-line through the lush rainforest. To ring in the new year, head to Spinnakers at Reduit Beach for their New Years Eve bash right on the beach, where you’ll receive a champagne on arrival. Oh, you fancy.

Osaka, Japan

Agathe Marty/Unsplash

Karaoke, billboards, and vending machines for hamburgers and socks. What’s a more fascinating place to ring in the new year than Japan? Skip the hoards heading to Tokyo and check out the food oasis of Osaka — a destination that, according to KAYAK, has increased in interest by 129%.

With the city’s annual Universal Studios Japan (aka USJ) Countdown Party, that has fireworks, musicians and goes for 26 hours, it’s the perfect place to spend New Years Eve. After your 26-hour bender, check out the epic castle of Osaka-jō, or take a food and drink tour and see why the Japanese refer to Osaka as the “nation’s kitchen”. Kampai!

Hamilton, Bermuda

Hamilton, Bermuda/Shutterstock

Okay, so we might be sending you to the Bermuda Triangle, but you are ringing in the new decade — you may as well go big or go home. Can you really think of a cooler 2020 New Years story than surviving the Bermuda Triangle?

Jokes aside, Hamilton in Bermuda is a sun-soaked destination where travel interest is up 88%. As well as probably winning the earth’s prize for most turquoise water ever, it’s literally in the middle of nowhere (in a good way). So if you’ve been wanting to really escape the city, this is definitely the place to do it.

You’ll be visiting in the off-season, which means one thing — good deals. Make the most of your January 1 hangover by diving to shipwrecks at Hangover Hole or snorkeling to one of the incredible reefs.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona/Shutterstock

Looking for 2020 island vibes, but not ones near the Bermuda Triangle? Check out Kailua-Kona, Hawaii’s best kept secret that’s been gaining popularity (in fact KAYAK data suggests travel interest is up 73%!). Due to its sheltered location, it’s almost always dry and sunny and you’ll find no shortage of snorkeling, rainforest hikes, world-famous golf courses and of course, beaches.

Skip the hairspray for NYE and embrace your humidity hairstyle. For your party locations, the remote spot is pretty tiny and instead of finding fireworks displays, and you’ll find mainly resorts here. So pick one and spend the night at their bar and restaurant right next to the beach.

Toronto 

Maartren van den Heuvel/Unsplash

Humidity not your thing? Celebrate in quintessential winter city style at Canada’s most popular travel destination of 2019.

Fireworks, skyscrapers, rooftops — you’re bound to have endless options when it comes to finding the perfect party to enter into 2020. You can probably convince your friends to join you, too, as interest in this destination is up 67% over past years.

January 2020 might be freezing but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the winter weather. Make a snowman, take a day trip to Niagara Falls, or catch a play at one of the city’s historical theatres.

Don’t delay in booking your epic foray into 2020. Search the best value flights and hotels now via KAYAK.

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