Where should I spend NYE? Suggestions please!

[Keith009]

The other half and I are visiting Europe at the end of the year. I was just wondering what people's thoughts are on where NYE should be spent.

We're visiting London, Paris, Berlin and Madrid. We're getting into London first as we want to be in the midst of the Boxing Day sale madness (others might find it stressful but I personally find it exhilarating) and so won't be there for NYE as we're staying for a max of 5 nights. That leaves Paris vs Berlin vs Madrid.

Criteria:
- Where are the best NYE party spots?
- As many things open as possible on New Year's Day.

Your thoughts please? Ta!

 

[Flashback]

I'm a fan or Berlin, when it comes to partying.......

 

[Keith009]

I love the partying in Berlin and Madrid! Though Paris could be cool for the cheap champagne, which is critical to any NYE bash, as someone rightly pointed out on facebook.

Now trying to find out if any of these places have stuff open on 01 Jan or experience a complete shut down like Melbourne.

 

[tuppaware]

Myself and the mister are thinking about London for NYE and xmas (with relos) then a trip to nyc... but will see when after the March fares come out.

 

[NYCguy]

I agreed to having NYE with the "in-laws" in :evil:Zurich:evil: this year. I can scarcely remember agreeing to do it, but apparently there are independent witnesses. All I have to say to the idea of spending the evening of 31 December in :evil:Zurich:evil:, surrounded by Swiss lawyers, doctors and bankers is...

Yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnn!

Please, take pity on a desperate man and kill me NOW!

Anyhoo, I have no idea what Paris is like on January 01, but this site may be helpful. It's a bit dated, but I guess you'll get the idea.

I don't do Madrid or Berlin, so I can't comment on those, although I imagine that either would be more fun than :evil:Zurich:evil:.

If I were you, 009, I'd probably just head to London.

 

[Keith009]

I found Zurich ok. There were a few good bars, shopping isn't on the level of London, Paris or Milan but good enough to keep me occupied during the day. It's nice enough for one visit but probably not somewhere I'd return repeatedly.

Currently the plan is:
23 Dec - 25 Dec : Bangkok
26 Dec - 31 Dec: London
31 Dec - 13 Jan: Paris (5 nights)/Berlin (4 nights)/Madrid (4 nights) -trying to decide the order
14 Jan - 16 Jan: Honkers

 

[Keith009]

Hm, got the following on FB from a mate who's actually lived in Paris:

I have spent two near years in France, one of those in Paris. Cross it off your list right now. NYE is a night in with family for the French, very domestic. The only ones braving the cold outside are the tourists and many venues are closed. Give Berlin a try. The Spanish might be as domestic as the French.

I think I might do Berlin for NYE and head to Paris later in the trip...

 

[kezsco]

I was in Paris for NYE just gone. Plenty of places open on NYE in the city. Most Parisians live in the outskirts and most places are closed there for sure. Inner City restaurants, hotels, bars, nightculs are all open, we had a great walk along the river to the Champs Elysees. They closes off the Champs Elysees, and tens of thousands crowd in the middle of the road. Alternatively, head for Montmartre's Sacre coeur, there is a crowd there as well, plenty of bars and a good view of the fireworks off the Eiffel tower.

I loved it, better than my NYE three years ago in Lausanne (Switzerland.. with watchmakers). Not as good as Sydney (too friggin cold this year). If it's a toss up between London and Paris, then I prefer Paris as it's a bit more 'exotic'. However, I can also understand London being a bit more familiar and probably even more enjoyable.

 

[NYCguy]

I found Zurich ok. There were a few good bars, shopping isn't on the level of London, Paris or Milan but good enough to keep me occupied during the day. It's nice enough for one visit but probably not somewhere I'd return repeatedly.

Just be thankful your partner's family don't live there. I think I'll go watch-shopping as a diversion.

I should have hooked-up with a Dane. Copenhagen is much more interesting.

 

[Keith009]

Just be thankful your partner's family don't live there.

They live in Wonthaggi... umm, at least it's cheaper to drive there than flying to ZRH.

 

[Keith009]

I was in Paris for NYE just gone. Plenty of places open on NYE in the city. Most Parisians live in the outskirts and most places are closed there for sure. Inner City restaurants, hotels, bars, nightculs are all open, we had a great walk along the river to the Champs Elysees. They closes off the Champs Elysees, and tens of thousands crowd in the middle of the road. Alternatively, head for Montmartre's Sacre coeur, there is a crowd there as well, plenty of bars and a good view of the fireworks off the Eiffel tower.

I loved it, better than my NYE three years ago in Lausanne (Switzerland.. with watchmakers). Not as good as Sydney (too friggin cold this year). If it's a toss up between London and Paris, then I prefer Paris as it's a bit more 'exotic'. However, I can also understand London being a bit more familiar and probably even more enjoyable.

How was New Year's Day in Paris? Anything open?

London is out. We're there for Boxing Day shopping and are only staying for about 5 nights. We leave on NYE.

 

[kezsco]

How was New Year's Day in Paris? Anything open?

London is out. We're there for Boxing Day shopping and are only staying for about 5 nights. We leave on NYE.

Make sure you have a long night on NYE. New Year's day in Paris isn't as good as NYE. There are very few places open. Eiffel tower, cathedral Notre Dam and some of the second tier museums and a couple of cafes and brasseries after midday. Get a car and drive and walk. The streets are deserted. I like photography, so I loved it. No crowds whatsoever.

 

[Flashback]

Make sure you have a long night on NYE. New Year's day in Paris isn't as good as NYE. There are very few places open. Eiffel tower, cathedral Notre Dam and some of the second tier museums and a couple of cafes and brasseries after midday. Get a car and drive and walk. The streets are deserted. I like photography, so I loved it. No crowds whatsoever.

Knowing QF009 it won't be a problem that things aren't open till midday on NYD

 

[Ric]

Keith,

I was in Paris last NYE. Shops are open on Dec 13 but closes at 5.30 in Avenue Des Champs Elysees..... they have to board up the shop windows!

The places was chokers at night, riot squad, ambulance and all :shock: but seems that everything are closed on New Year's day. I think that Galeries Lafayette was open. There's no sale when I was there Dec 30 - Jan 2. Apparently the sale starts Jan 8.

 

[Keith009]

Apparently the sale starts Jan 8.

OMG I love the Soles d'Hiver! It started later in Jan when I was there last, but IIRC this year it started on the 6th.

I think I've sorted the itinerary, based on the quality of NYE parties in Berlin and the possibility of doing Soles d'Hiver in Paris. I can't read French but I think this website says the sales start on 12 Jan for 2011: Soldes d’hiver 2011 | Soldes et Astuces achats , so if i do Paris at the end of my trip I might just make it.

23Dec - 25Dec: Bangkok
26Dec - 31Dec: London
31Dec - 04Jan: Berlin
04Jan - 08Jan: Madrid
08Jan - 13Jan: Paris
14Jan - 16Jan: HK



Hoping to use the AY J fare.