Swide Magazine by Dolce&Gabbana

New Year’s Eve is almost here and you know what that means, don’t you? Celebration, music, drinking, dancing, the countdown and, of course, the fireworks. Here are Swide’s top 5 places to experience fireworks.

Whizz, zoom, boom! And those are only the sounds of you and your friends busting a move on New Year’s Eve. Well, New Year’s Eve isn’t complete without a midnight sky being lit up by an array of burning colours and Swide thought it was only correct to share a few ideas that will put a spark in your new year.

Silvesterzauber in Zurich, Switzerland

First of all draw your attention to Zurich, where the Swiss firework professionals, Hirt & Co, illuminate Lake Zurich with their famous displays. Hirt & Co have been wowing crowds for years and 2011’s New Year’s Eve party promises to go off with a bang. The festivities kick off at 8pm, when local dishes will be served with the more important tipple or two, and you will be entertained by many a bar serving a blizzard of beverages and various stages with music and live acts. Then, when the clock strikes midnight the celebrations really kick off with the famous fireworks and you are able to party until the early hours of the morning. But before this happens the church bells of Zurich ring out across the city www.silvesterzauber.ch

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If you’ve found yourself humming the tune to Barry Manilow’s hit Copacabana, then maybe you should take it as a sign that you are destined to be in Brazil for New Year’s Eve. Well, there’s no time like the present. Years ago the revelers were put smack bang in the action with the fireworks being fired on-shore over their heads. This has changed over the years and now the spectacular is launched off-shore from barges in the ocean. Depending on how you like your crowds, there are different options; the main being to head straight onto Copacabana Beach with the other several million to ring the new year in, which will guarantee a sing-song to end all. At 2 a.m. David Guetta is welcomed on to the Sun Stage to make sure that those with staying power are left out in cold in the early hours. For more info www.rio.com

The Mayor’s Midnight Fireworks in London, England

Filling up 2-3 hours before the big event, party goers can expect to be sent into a delirium with a show that incorporates the famous landmarks on the Thames’ riverbank, focusing around the Millennium wheel. The landmark becomes London’s very own giant Catherine Wheel, which doesn’t have as much spin but erupts with colour. The event is free, as always, and attracts people from all over the United Kingdom and those further afield. What makes this event even more special is the chance to hear the famous ‘bongs’ coming from the clock, Big Ben, just before the skies are lit up by fireworks, which are accompanied by a tailor made sound track. All rather jolly good stuff I say.www.london.gov.uk

In the lap of luxury in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

If you like your events big, luxurious and bright, then Dubai is the place for you. You can easily head straight to a public beach to soak up the view of the city being showered in glitter, but there are better options if you want to be part of the action. Book yourself a table at on of the restaurants at the luxurious Mina Al Salam or The Madinat, which are both part of Jumeirah Hotels and have fantastic views of the firework display at the Burj Al Arab. By booking a table at one of these top tables you can guarantee that you will not only dine in the finest way but will also be in prime position to see just what Dubai has to offer.

See the world from home

But what if your ill on the big night or you’ve eaten way too much food over the Christmas period and you don’t fancy taking your stomach outside? Well, that is also covered. Thanks to Earthcam the lazy ones amongst us can get in on the action from the comfort of our homes. With a couple of clicks here and there you can be on Times Square, live, as it happens. But, if that isn’t where you want to be, you are not stuck in one place. You can choose from other destinations and if you are not impressed by what’s on offer then put on your 3-D glasses and watch past events come to life in a new way. Just don’t drink too much whilst using 3-D, you don’t want there to be any surprises for the New Year. Click here for Earthcam

 

For now I wish you a very happy new year.

 

Written by Ben Taylor 

TAGS: dolce&gabbana d&g new year's eve fireworks top 5 switzerland zurich brazil rio de janeiro copacabana beach london england dubai united arab emirates mina al salam the madinat jumeirah hotels earthcam times square