New Year in the warmth, an escape to savor the holiday flavor even more because often in dream destinations (not necessarily at the corners of the world): from Barbados to the Canaries, from the Maldives to Oman, we tell you about 5 beautiful places to clear your head and experience a summer preview.
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5 Destinations to Start the Year Off Right
New Year’s Eve in the Desert: Oman
The desert, a blazing fire, silence, and a starry sky as far as the eye can see: ever thought of starting the new year like this?
Oman, situated at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula and far from the terrors of war, offers a destination where you can experience all of this. A noteworthy point is that you won’t need a visa if you stay less than 14 days.
In fact, 80% of the Sultanate’s territory is occupied by deserts (Rub al-Khali and Sharqiyah are sandy, Jiddat el Harassis is rocky), and there are more and more tented camps designed for all types of travelers: from the most luxurious accommodations to glamping (chic campsites with all kinds of comforts), from the simplest or Bedouin-style accommodations to villas with a pool and spa.
What unites all these types of offerings is the opportunity to live unforgettable experiences in a unique landscape in the world like the desert: 4×4 excursions or camelback riding, sandboarding, expeditions in search of local fauna (like the oryx, a native antelope of the Arabian Peninsula), and balloon rides at sunrise or sunset.
And the hot air balloon flight over the Sharqiya desert, also known as Wahiba Sands, is one of the best ways to observe the immensity of this ecosystem: its proximity to the capital (a couple of hours by car) makes it an unmissable stop on a trip to Oman.
Muscat also proves to be an excellent base for another reason: its location by the sea allows you to take a dip or relax on the beach in the sun (from October to April, the average temperatures hover around 30 degrees).
But one of the most beautiful sea points in all of Oman is Salalah, in the southern province of Dhofar, on the Indian Ocean: Salalah Beach will make you fall in love with its sandy bays surrounded by crystal-clear water and lush palm groves.
Even the beaches of Musandam, a peninsula on the Persian Gulf an hour’s flight from the capital, are worth the trip and are particularly special for two reasons: there is still little tourism, and they are in the area of the Arabian fjords due to the high cliffs overlooking the sea.
A sight to admire aboard the dhows, the typical wooden boats, to feel like true locals.
Maldive Horse, Jasmine
Not just the beach, from coral planting to stargazing: Maldives
Who has never, at least once in their life, daydreamed of a Maldivian atoll to escape the hectic daily routine?
Baths in the sea and relaxation under the sun, the recurring image is this. Yet today the resorts in the Indian Ocean archipelago offer more and more activities and experiences to satisfy everyone’s needs.
In addition to traditional snorkeling and diving, the Maldives offers a variety of activities to ensure you never get bored. These include local cooking classes, meditation and yoga sessions, horseback rides on the beach, water sports, and even coral planting.
Under the banner of responsible tourism, you can experience it, for instance, at the Sun Siyam World on the Noonu atoll. This Maldivian-owned resort, located just a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, is highly attentive to local traditions and environmental conservation. Accompanied by a young marine biologist, you can participate in collecting coral fragments that have detached from the barrier. Subsequently, you can tie these fragments to metal structures, which are then submerged into the sea to facilitate safe regrowth.
Another unique experience is stargazing, accompanied by expert astronomers. During the dry season in the Tropics, you can observe stars and celestial bodies in a way that is unparalleled, not only due to the latitude but also because of the absence of light pollution.
An opportunity not to be missed, several structures have equipped themselves by organizing group or private experiences. They even provide the possibility to name a star with a chosen name, making it a unique and memorable experience.
Among these, for example, the SKY overwater bar of the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, (Baa atoll), which houses the first water observatory in all of the Maldives.
Ideal for a romantic couple’s vacation is a moonlit night cruise aboard a traditional boat equipped with a telescope (and Champagne), circling the Huvadhoo atoll: two hours of pure romance offered by Park Hyatt Maldives.
For boyfriends, families, or groups of friends: another much-appreciated proposal is that of outdoor cinema with open-air screenings, open to all resort guests or privately organized.
Heading to the elected World’s Best Beach: Australia
Australia, you know, takes time, so why not take advantage of your next holidays to truly take a break ? If the many hours of flight can be daunting, an idea may be to break the journey by stopping in the Emirates, for example, in Doha, or head towards the “closer” west coast.
And precisely Western Australia (the State with the capital Perth, to be clear) is a fascinating and wild territory as much as the more renowned Queensland, with the advantage of saving at least 3 hours of flight compared to Brisbane.
Being in the opposite hemisphere, no stress for luggage, in the suitcase, only costumes and light clothing are enough because summer awaits!
To celebrate a warm New Year’s, numerous beautiful beaches are available, and among them is Lucky Bay, also known as the whitest beach in Australia. It has earned the title of the number one beach in the world according to the World’s 50 Best Beaches ranking.
A tongue of white sand and turquoise water that has also enchanted kangaroos: here it is easy to meet them by the sea, for a photo that is worth the trip.
Have you ever seen a pink-colored lake? It exists and is located right in Western Australia: Esperance, in the Golden Outback region, is home to Lake Hillier (on Middle Island) with an unusual color due to the presence of particular algae or bacteria. By boat or helicopter, the best ways to admire it.
Always on the coasts of immense Western Australia (almost 9 times the size of Italy), other beaches to mark in the South West region are Greens Pool, Bunker Bay, Middleton Beach – indicated by the government site, among the safest beaches for swimming – and Yallingup Beach (particularly loved by surfers).
A plunge into the sea as a superstitious ritual: Canaries
For a seaside New Year celebration, the Canaries stand out as one of the easiest and quickest destinations to reach.
And thanks to the spring-like climate even in winter, on January 1st, it is now customary to take a good-luck dip to celebrate the start of the new year.
Choose from hundreds of beaches, and during the Christmas season, consider heading to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. From December 2nd to January 8th, you can witness the spectacular Belén de Arena de Las Canteras. This nativity scene is crafted in the sand by internationally renowned artists. Year after year, this exhibition space has become the third most visited in Spain in December, surpassed only by the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia.
Nightlife certainly does not lack, and for a New Year’s Eve of fun, the most popular locations are Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, and Playa de las Américas in Tenerife.
The Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean is also known for offering a variety of water sports such as sailing, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and diving.
Many activities are also outside the water, such as hiking and cycling along paths that cross forests and volcanic slopes.
Nostalgic for the mountains? Here you can try the sand version of snowboarding, sandboarding, to not regret the snowy peaks.
And even for the little ones, the Canaries have surprises: in various cities of the archipelago, on January 5th, there is the camelback parade of the Three Wise Men with Melchior, Gaspar, and Baldassarre among music, dance, and folklore.
On a mission to save turtles: Barbados
Almost three hundred days of sun and temperatures ranging from 27 to 31 degrees, all year round: with this premise, it is easy to understand why the Caribbean is always one of the most loved destinations for a warm New Year’s holiday.
One of the most beautiful islands is undoubtedly Bardados, the perfect destination for a New Year’s Eve by the sea, both as a couple and with friends because it offers a bit of everything: first of all, the beaches with postcard landscapes (crystal-clear sea, white sand, and very tall coconut palms), including Bottom Baye and Bathsheba.
Sports enthusiasts particularly appreciate Accra, Brighton, and Pebbles Beach. For diving and snorkeling enthusiasts looking to explore shipwrecks, Carlisle Bay emerges as the ideal destination.
A vacation with friends focusing on kite and surf? Atlantic Shores, Freights Bay, and Silver Sands are the most suitable spots. Every year Barbados hosts an international surf competition with athletes of the caliber of eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater.
And now it’s also paddle mania in the Caribbean: in Barbados, you can find courts in hotels and resorts, such as the Sandy Lane Hotel, Apes Hill, and Royal West Moreland.
Do you like the journey of discovery? Make sure not to miss a visit to Oistins, the smallest city in the former English colony and now a member of the Commonwealth. Here, a renowned fish market is held every day. From its pier, you can also spot turtles swimming offshore.
These wonderful animals in serious danger of extinction have chosen Barbados itself as one of the main nesting sites in all of the Caribbean.
If you wish to contribute, the Barbados Sea Turtle Project offers a monitoring and intervention service that is open to all. Just ensure a minimum stay on the island to participate in significant species conservation projects, ranging from egg laying to releasing turtles into the sea.
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