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- What could be more romantic than seeing in the New Year in New York? This cosy one-bedroom apartment, set in the heart of the city, ensures you're close to a host of main attractions, including Central Park, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Centre, Metropolitan Opera House, swanky shopping streets, food markets and restaurants.
- And if that's not enough, check out five acres of animal habitats at Central Park Zoo, or, for the ultimate New York tourist moment, take in a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park – what are you waiting for?
Central Park / 56 Street Apartment, New York City, sleeps up to four (one bedroom) for £1,115 per week (£278.75 per person) over the New Year period, with Holiday Lettings. - Say 'Bonjour' to the New Year in style in France's romantic capital. Stay at this modern second-floor studio, set within a traditional Parisian building in Quartier Daguerre.
- On Sundays, the roads in the Quartier are closed to through-traffic and families take to the street to "flaner" (stroll about), enjoying fresh croissants and chocolate crepes. Paris's main attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, Napoleon's Tomb at Les Invalides and the Arc de Triomphe, are a short ride away.
Studio Cels, 14th arrondissement, Paris, sleeps up to two (studio) for £551 per week (£275.50 per person) over the New Year period, with Holiday Lettings. - Wake up on New Year's Day in a stunning four-bedroom house (sleeping eight), and take a four-minute stroll to the idyllic Newport beach for a seriously good surf.
- If you fancy relaxing at home, the open plan, two-storey house with three entertaining areas and BBQ patio is ideal...
- ... but don't miss out on the spectacular northern beaches, sheltered coves and rock pools, or Sydney's cosmopolitan cafe culture along the peninsula. Feeling energetic? Try something new: sailing, surf schools, kayaking, boat charters and river cruises are all within easy reach. Throw another shrimp on the barbie!
Newport Beach House, Newport Beach , Sydney, sleeps up to eight (four bedrooms) for £2,963 per week (£370.37 per person) over the New Year period, with Holiday Lettings. - A hub for artists, writers and creative types galore, Berlin is choc-a-bloc with street cafes, trendy bars, museums and art galleries. The Grand City Hotel Berlin Zentrum is – rather conveniently – located on Kurfürstendamm, Berlin's most famous shopping street (hurrah!), and also ensures you're a stone's throw from Berlin Kathe Kollwitz Museum, Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche and Berlin Zoo.
Seven nights room only at the three-star Grand City Hotel Berlin Zentrum is from £416 per person, based on two sharing a double room. This includes direct return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick to Berlin, departing 29 December 2010. For reservations, visit Expedia. - Buzzing Bangkok is the perfect hotspot to see in the New Year. And the Bandara Suite Bangkok, being situated in Silom, one of the most important financial, shopping, nightlife and restaurant districts, is the perfect place from which to explore this vibrant city. A short walk from Lumphini Park, Patpong Night Market and Suan Lum Night Bazaar, you won't be spoilt for bargain-buying shopping trips, and the city's Skytrain – which will hotfoot you downtown – is only a five-minute walk away.
Seven nights room only at the four-star Bandara Suite Bangkok (Chin House Luxurious Residence) is from £873 per person, based on two sharing a superior room. This includes return flights with Emirates, via Dubai, from London Heathrow to Bangkok departing 29 December 2010. For reservations, visit Expedia or call 0330 123 1235. - Located in Tanzania's city centre, the Moevenpick Royal Palm Hotel – which combines East African culture with high Swiss standards - is a short walk from the stunning seafront, the shopping district and the National Museum of Tanzania. What's more, it makes the perfect starting point for safaris to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater. Wonderful wildlife, culture and scenery – sounds like the ideal way to see in 2011.
Seven nights bed and breakfast at the five-star Moevenpick Royal Palm Hotel is from £1115 per person, based on two sharing a standard room. This includes return flights with Emirates from London Gatwick to Dar es Salaam, via Dubai, departing 29 December 2010. For reservations, visit Expedia or call 0330 123 1235. - Calling all shopping fanatics: Fancy spending the holiday season with a day of unparalleled shopping followed by a night of luxury at Mandarin Oriental, Boston? The 'Tis the Season to Shop package begins at USD445 per night, is valid until 4 January 2011 and includes: two welcome cocktails; daily American breakfast for two in Asana; a 20% discount on Mandarin Oriental Signature Spa products at the Spa Boutique; a 15% discount gift certificate at luxury Italian linen brand Frette; a 20% discount for any service at MIZU hair salon; admission for two guests to Ice Skating on Boston's Frog Pond in Boston Common; a 15% discount gift certificate* at Donna Karan Newbury Street boutique, with a private shopping appointment; a consultant appointment at Saks Fifth Avenue in their exclusive Fifth Avenue Club with a 15% discount towards the day's purchases*, and a private makeup session following the day of shopping. And while you're in Massachusett's capital, head to Fenway to see a Red Sox baseball game, be a culture vulture and see the largest collection of Claude Monet paintings outside of France at the Museum of Fine Arts, and pop in for a pint at Cheers Boston, the pub famous for inspiring the hit TV show. Can we come too?
(*Gift certificates will be given at time of check-in and certain purchase restrictions may apply). For further details and reservations, call +1 (617) 535-8880. - Dubrovnik House is an historic building dating back to the 14th century situated in the heart of the Old Town. With its exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, handmade wooden furnishings, and Italian marble features, you can't fail to be impressed. But when you want to venture out, make sure to take in the 18th century Dubrovnik Cathedral's extensive collection of paintings, and, for a really cool night, check out the Buza bar – a hip but relaxed cliffside venue accessed through a hole in the wall. See you there?
Dubrovnik House accommodates up to six guests from €144 per night in December 2010 (24 Euros per person per night). Book at Dubrvnik Apartment Source or call +353 86 167 1222 or +353 86 024 1834. - Situated in the Eixample area of Barcelona, the Acta Antibes Hotel Barcelona is a run-and-jump distance from Gaudi's famous Sagrada Familia. A longer stroll or a couple of stops on the metro and you reach Paseo de Gracia, which leads to Plaza Catalunya – a pretty square considered to be the city centre - and the Ramblas, a 1.2 kilometre pedestrianised mall and one of the most famous streets in Barcelona . The hotel offers a good base for exploring the city with accommodation that is simple, practical and refurbished in a modern style.
From £469 based on two-star hotel on a B&B basis in the Acta Antibes Hotel, Barcelona – book at directline holidays or call 020 8239 3399. Depart Thursday 30 December and return 2 January 2011. - If you're looking for a city that simply oozes history and charm, it'd be hard to beat Amsterdam. Stay at the Artemis Hotel Amsterdam, a large, stylish and modern abode, located between Schipol Airport and the city centre. Start off at Central Station, and head south toward the always-lively Dam Square flanked by the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) to the west. Follow the bustling shopper's heaven Kalverstraat to the Spui, home to delightful weekly book and art markets. Don't miss main attractions like Anne Frank House, and definitely pop in for a shop and a bite to eat at the quaint quarter called 9 Streets. From £410 based on accommodation in Artemis Hotel on a B&B basis - book at directline holidays.