• Miami

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/MiamiNewYear.jpg

  

• Venice

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/venice.jpg

  

• Sydney

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/Sydney.jpg

  

• Marrakesh

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/Marrakesh.jpg

  

• Verona

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/Verona1.jpg

  

• LasVegas

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/FreemontLasVegas.jpg

  

• Madrid

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/Madrid.jpg

  

• New York

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/EmeraldNutsNewYork.jpg

  

• Bleigiessen, Germany

  http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/files/2011/12/Bleigiessen-Berlin.jpg

  

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With one week to go before Christmas (gulp), Cheapflighters have compiled this list of New Year traditions from their home countries:

Germany

There’s a huge party at Brandenburg Gate on Silvester (the feast of Pope St. Sylvester), but in homes across Germany an altogether quieter tradition – Bleigiessen – is practised. A small piece of lead is melted, in a special spoon, over a candle, and when molten, it is dropped into a glass of cold water. The form it takes foretells what the new year will bring for that person – an egg shapes means an addition to the family, a triangle means your fortunes will prosper, an angel means that good will come your way. Search and compare: cheap flights to Germany

Scotland

Hogmanay is one of the most renowned New Year’s bashes, but the torch parades that take place in towns and villages around Scotland are an atmospheric way to greet the dawning year. For the Comrie Flambeaux, birch branches are wrapped in hessian and soaked in paraffin for weeks. At midnight on New Year’s Eve the torches are lit, carried through the town and then thrown into the River Earn, taking with them the evil spirits of the dying year. Search and compare: cheap flights to Scotland

New York City

While the rest of the world gets ready to watch the Waterford Crystal ball drop in Times Square, another tradition catches our eye. The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run takes place in Central Park in the final hour of the year. Registration is open until 26 December so there is still time to enter the fun run, but being a cheerful spectator is free. As the runners make their way around the 4m track, fireworks light up the night sky and afterwards the Nuts and their supporters party their way into 2012. Search and compare: cheap flights to New York City

Madrid

A bottle of Cava, 12 grapes and lots of energy is what you’ll need if you are spending New Year’s Eve in Madrid. Madrilenos usually spend the evening with their families, having dinner and eating the 12 grapes as the clock strikes 12 (to ensure prosperity), before partying well into 1 January. On the streets, revellers cram in to Puerta del Sol, from where the change of year is broadcast throughout Spain, and then hit the clubs, which pick up from about 1ish. Search and compare: cheap flights to Madrid

Las Vegas

America’s Party takes place on The Strip. The sky-bleaching firework spectacular – more than 56,000 explosions will light up the Nevada sky for nearly ten minutes – will launch from the roofs of Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand, Aria, Tropicana, Planet Hollywood, Treasure Island, the Stratosphere and The Venetian. The four-mile stretch will be closed from about 6pm, turning the usually car-clogged area to a huge pedestrian mall. Another way to see in 2012 in Vegas is at the Fremont Street Experience, where tribute bands such as Led Zepagain, Fan Halen and Red Not Chili Peppers, will rock away the night. Search and compare: cheap flights to Las Vegas

Venice

The Lagoon City is as magical on New Year’s Eve as you’d expect. Venetians and visitors centre on St. Mark’s Square, in the shadow of the bell tower, to see in the new year. By kissing someone. Love in Piazza San Marco has been running for the past few years, beefing up the city’s credentials as one of the great capitals of love. The next day, headache worn off, hardy souls head to the beach near to the old Hotel des Bains for the chilly Polar Bear Swim. Search and compare: cheap flights to Venice

Verona

Rivalling Venice as Italy’s most romantic city, Verona’s end-of-year party kicks off near the astounding Roman-built Arena. Framed by Rinaldo Olivieri’s Falling Star, the Veronese mark St. Sylevester’s night with parties, dinners and lots of out-and-about. At midnight, the collosseum is illuminated by millions of dripping, sparkling fireworks that light up the ancient building. Search and compare: cheap flights to Verona

Sydney

It’s one of the iconic sights, fireworks fizzing and popping off the Harbour Bridge. If you are planning to see in 2012 Down Under you’ll need to pick your spot carefully – unless you’ve already paid hundreds of pounds to be in the Sydney Opera Bar that is. The most popular places to view the sight – on the south side of the harbour – are Mrs Macquarie’s Point (usually closed by 5pm), Sydney Opera House (sardines have nothing on these crowds) and Macquarie Street Lawns. To the north, Cremorne Point Reserve (tiny crowd allowed, just 5,000) and Bradfield Park (up to 50,000 spectators welcome) are the good, free places. Search and compare: cheap flights to Sydney

Miami

Miami’s hottest clubs go all out for New Year’s Eve but before you party, line the streets for the King Mango Strut, a wild parade parodying the happenings of the past year. Three decades old, the procession started as a witty riposte to the King Orange parade. Expect to see plenty of recognisable faces, the action starts at 2pm in Center Grove. Then view the free firework show from the beach. Congregate on the beach close to Ocean Drive and 8th Street. Search and compare: cheap flights to Miami

Marrakech

In one of the most colourful cities in the world Moroccans mark Muharram/Ashura with special raisin and nut sweets. On New Year’s Eve revellers take to Djemma el Fna to see in the dawning year. It’s thronging with visitors and locals and pre-booking a restaurant is a must for the end-of-year feast. This may be something your riad has organised already but if not, there’s no better place than the ancient square to take the pulse of Marrakesh. Search and compare: cheap flights to Marrakech

Images: Berlin – jp_tech_girl; New York – www.nyrr.org; Madrid – tinou bao; Las Vegas – http2007; Venice – christine zenino; Verona – br1dotcom; Miami – kingmangostrut.org; Marrakesh – Mutelot

This entry was posted on Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 11:31 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.