Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/753864
DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2016/2017 10 AS 2016 DRAWS TO A CLOSE, I've been thinking about the Holiday Season and that all-time favourite party celebrated around the world, New Year's Eve. Maybe it's time to change it up a bit by trav- elling elsewhere to experience festivities in another city or country. When I think of party central for New Year's Eve celebrations in the USA, three locations come to mind: Las Vegas, New York City and Key West. When it comes to excitement, Las Vegas knows how to party year-round. So it stands to reason the city must pull out all the stops to entertain more than 300,000 street partiers who gather along the nightclub-strewn Strip and at the Fremont Street Experience where live bands perform for 10 hours on three stages. Then, come mid- night, a spectacular show of fireworks erupts from casino roofs throughout the city. And I'm sure the party doesn't end there. Perhaps tradition is what you're looking for and there's nothing more traditional than New Year's Eve in New York's Times Square. Neon lights, world-class performers and that famous ball drop. Who can resist such a classic event? And, if you purchase a Times Square Official Party Pass, you can slip past those velvet ropes at top bars and clubs around the city to continue the revelry into the wee hours of the morning. Bragging rights guaranteed. Looking for something unusual—even kinky? Look no further than Key West—that quirky, historic town at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. The road may end here, however the party is non-stop any night of the year and especially so on December 31. There are three venues where you can celebrate as the clock ticks away the last seconds of the year. For a crowded, boisterous affair, watch a big conch shell being lowered from atop Sloppy Joe's Bar. At the His- toric Seaport, a pirate wench is lowered from the mast of a schooner. Or, head over to CNN's favourite to cheer on Sushi, a local drag queen celeb, as she's lowered in a huge high-heeled shoe from a Duval Street balcony. And the weather is mighty fine too. On European shores, London and Paris are at the forefront of any New Year celebrations. Just to see London's and the City of Light's awe-inspiring landmarks light up as fireworks shoot skyward would be wondrous indeed. Later, join other merrymakers in singing Auld Lang Syne at a London pub or party all night on the Champs-Élysées. In the Caribbean, few islands hold a candle to Foxy's Tamarind Bar on the little-known island Jost Van Dyke in the U.S. Virgin Islands where live music, food and drinks fuel revelers through Old Year's Eve celebrations that last two days. Dress is casual; just bring your swimsuit. Maybe an exotic destination is more alluring. After all, since you're travelling, why not take it farther abroad and head down to Brazil? Order a caipirinha—or two if you dare—and join more than two million jubilant others for a wild night of revelry on Copaca- bana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Wherever you may find yourself this Holiday Season, we wish you a safe and merry one and a very Happy New Year. DS DS FROM MY TRAVEL BAG >> BY DONNA S. VIEIRA editor@dreamscapes.ca