From romantic European escapes to spellbinding family adventures, whatever type of celebration you’re seeking this New Year’s Eve, welcome 2019 in style with these unforgettable festivities.
FAMILY FUN
Edinburgh
Winter is a magical time of year at The Balmoral. Walking into its grand entrance, your family will step into a winter wonderland. Spoil them with an overnight stay in the suite in which JK Rowling wrote the final Harry Potter book; your children will delight in its Harry Potter-inspired décor and all the benefits of our Families R Forte programme. Celebrate the New Year in true Scottish style with your loved ones at The Balmoral’s glittering Hogmanay Gala Ball. Opening to the sound of bagpipes, you’ll enjoy a Champagne and canapé reception, followed by a sumptuous 4-course dinner and live music for a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne at midnight.*
NEW YEAR’S ROMANCE
Frankfurt
Celebrate the start of a new year with a romantic retreat to the luxury of Villa Kennedy, where you can welcome 2019 with that special someone. Spend the afternoon taking a leisurely walk along the Main River, before unwinding together with a couples massage at the hotel’s spa. Your garden view suite is the perfect place to enjoy some quality time together, ensconced in secluded luxury. Order Champagne and strawberries on room service to see in the new year, just the two of you.
PARTY WITH FRIENDS
Berlin
A stylish, vibrant hotel in the heart of cosmopolitan Berlin, Hotel de Rome is an unforgettable destination in which to kick off the new year with a bang. With striking views over the Bebelplatz, the glamorous Terrace Suite is the perfect place to watch the fireworks with your closest friends and let the Champagne corks fly. To keep the party going, head to A-list favourite, The Grand nightclub, situated nearby, and dance your way into 2019 with your nearest and dearest.
* Tickets to The Balmoral’s Hogmanay Gala Ball are available for children of 12 years and over.
The blooms of Munich’s Old Botanical Garden fill the city air with a sweet aroma. At the edge of this green lung sits The Charles Hotel, whose recently refreshed rooms capture the garden’s essence. Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, takes us through the finer details.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
