Beautifulscenery

We are fortunate to be in England for January and are wondering where to spend New years. We'll have 5 days and thought that would be perfect for Paris. However some of the reviews of previous years are that the light show is underwhelming and there are no fireworks? Since we have unlimited options (i.e. Edinburgh and Vienna are strong contenders) is Paris as amazing as we hope it will be or will it be a let down? We don't like large crowds so we'd rather see the Eiffel Tower/Fireworks from a river boat cruise/restaurant. Is there an official website we can find out if fireworks will be done? Anyone have a favorite new years spot?

Christina

no, Paris doesn't have fireworks for NY eve. They've hardly ever had fireworks in Paris for NY eve, so I'd assume no for this year. Some private concerns have some they light, but they aren't a grand show like when a city does it. The only time I remember is when they were trying to win the Olympics bid at the turn of the millenium (Y2000). This isn't any special year, so doubt if they'd have them when they don't usually.

Noe sure what you are hoping for to be amazing, the Eiffel Tower should be lit up, and they have had a light show on CHamps-Elysees, I guess that's the one you mean. If you want fireworks, you need to go elsewhere.

Have thought of London or Brussels? I think they do fireworks. I think Rome and Amsterdam so also, and Barcelona down by the beach.

laurie_ann

We had a great new years holiday in Salzburg from London one year. Direct flight. Good mix of museums and outdoor activity. City was festive but not unduly crowded. If you ski they even have a once daily bus service to a different ski resort from downtown.

janisj

Edinburgh is fabulous -- but you are a little late to be arranging accommodations. And @ very increased room rates.

I haven't been to Vienna at New Years but I suspect it is getting late for booking there as well.

lauie_ann may have a good suggestion -- I can imagine Salzburg be wonderful over New Years.

hetismij2

Amsterdam perhaps? Lots of fireworks, mostly from the residents, but also organised events.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visitin...e-celebrations

ESW

At the risk of sounding facetious - if you want fireworks on New Years Eve, come to Scunthorpe. Since the Millenium there has been a tradition of everyone having firework displays to ring in the New Year. You can't sleep for bangs and flashes....

hetismij2

ESW that is true of any town in the Netherlands, and has been for at least 40years, but undoubtedly much longer.
Hence the suggestion of Amsterdam.

Grindeldoo

London is now a ticket-only affair for the fireworks, in order to keep numbers and overcrowding down, and the last tranche of tickets went on sale on October 2 (£10 each on seetickets.com). It is unlikely that there will now be any left to buy as numbers are very limited in the areas where there is a decent view.If you're sold on the idea of London I suggest you Look at Time Out's article on what's on over the NYE period - see http://www.timeout.com/london/new-year . I spent New Year's Eve in Vienna 4 years ago with a group of friends and we had a great time. Booked a table for dinner and went into the bar next door, not for the fireworks but for the party that was going on. Vienna is so much smaller than London and it didn't get nearly as crowded, although booking somewhere to eat on the 31st and even more importantly 1st January (many restaurants were closed then) was essential for our group of 10.

fuzzbucket

Paris is nice for Christmas, but you should go anywhere else besides Paris for New Year's. The Eiffel Tower is lit up every night, and it only "sparkles" for 5 minutes at the top of the hour, so you could see it at any other time.

The city hasn't posted any information about any NYE festivities yet, and last year it was a last-minute decision that didn't amount to much, just 15 minutes of fireworks shot off the Arc de Triomphe. You couldn't have seen this from a river cruise, anyway. Most people just wander around looking at the crowds and wondering how they will get back home.

I agree that London isn't as much fun since they started selling tickets, and any hotels with a view of the fireworks will be expensive and hard to get. You could try OneAldwych, and see if there are any rooms left on the river side - not cheap, but a nice hotel. Most restaurants in London pre-book fancy dinners for NYE and many require a hefty deposit, but an awful lot of restaurants are closed during the holidays.

Amy

Reykjavik goes all out for New Year's. http://www.visitreykjavik.is/new-years-eve-0

Plus, of course, it's a great place for the northern lights and a cool little city.

PalenQ

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-bombastic.cfm

Here's my take on one New Year's Eve in Amsterdam and Haarlem - bombastic - it's like a war zone all over it seemed!

The week between Christmas and New Years is one of the busiest in Amsterdam all year so if going there book early.

PalenQ

Paris is nice for Christmas>

Christmas Day hops in Paris - most of Europe is shut down but not Paris - the French celebrate on Christmas Eve with a traditional family dinner and on Christmas Day go for strolls - I was in Paris once on Christmas Day and it was mobbed - cafes and some stores open and even some museums were open. Check out Christmas Eve Mass in Notre Dame or other churches.

Beautifulscenery

Thanks everyone for the advice! Good idea to make sure we book restaurant reservations for the day after anywhere we go!