Global Hotspots this New Year

Scheduled to travel on business during New Year's eve only to be stranded in unfamiliar territory with no friends or family to celebrate with? Bhisham Mansukhani tells you what to do this New Year if you find yourself in some of the celebratory metros of the world

Did you know that the Babylonians were the first to celebrate New Year's Eve, about 4,000 years ago and a popular resolution back then was to return borrowed farm equipment to its owner? Four thousand years is a relatively long time and while the resolutions have gotten a bit less sincere and far more amusing, the spirit of conviviality still resonates with exhilarating, eye-popping, electrifying and at times electrocuting celebrations. Live.

New York

Already looking forward to its 101st this year, Times Square inarguably sees the largest congregation of revellers on the planet - 7,50,000 and counting. The centerpiece of the occasion is the six-foot ball that drops from a flagpole atop No. 1 Times Square at 11.59 pm and reliably touches the ground on dot, sending the crowds into a frenzy.

New York City does, however, make allowances for those not particularly taken by the orchestration of the ball's descent. Other options are a four-mile run through Central Park, inclusive of an appropriately non-alcoholic champagne toast and the standard accompaniments of music and fireworks; and more celebrations at the Grand Army Plaza on Brooklyn Bridge. Other locations to witness New Year's Eve fireworks include Staten Island, Brooklyn, NJ and the Empire State Building light show.

Sydney

Enconsed by stunning waterways and the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney rates as one of the most wholesome cities for a holiday. On New Year's eve, it can only get better. Sydney Harbour is indubitably one of the largest free public events in the world featuring incredible 80,000 fireworks and dazzling lights display. Last year's celebrations were attended by an approximate 1.2 million audience.

The event takes advantage of the superb natural stages Sydney has to offer on land, bridge and water. A unique Indigenous Welcome Ceremony will usher in the evening. Fifty seafaring vessels have been invited to participate in the 2005 Harbour of Light Parade.

Tall Ships, Sydney's Heritage Fleet, Commercial Charters, Private Vessels and Sydney Ferries will parade around Sydney Harbour decked out in ropelight to create a magical effect. Vessel owners and crew create their own designs as abstract light sculptures.

The traditional countdown on The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons will ignite the Ten Second Fuse along the Bridge. There are a number of other great events, from the best seats in the house on the Cahill Expressway to the stylish events at the Royal Botanic Gardens. If fireworks are not your scene, Bondi Beach is one location to consider. At The Rocks, you can enjoy spectacular views of the fireworks and Sydney Harbour Bridge and celebrate the New Year at one of the many bars and restaurants. You can also bring a picnic blanket to this exclusive area, which offers panoramic views of Sydney's greatest fireworks spectacle, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour.

London

The isles of cold Britannia also stake an impressive legacy of New Year's eve pomp. Celebrations home in on either Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus where they eagerly wait for the chimes of London's Big Ben to announce the New Year. A free 10 minute firework display at the British Airways London Eye lights up the Thames at midnight.

Public celebrations apart, London boasts a nightlife that matches and even outdoes its competition. From blinding warehouse raves to cheesy mega-discos, they're all packed into a list of the 10 best clubs to ride out the soak in the celebratory madness.

For those with a penchant for events of lesser hype, London doesn't disappoint.

New Year's Eve Cruise

Take to the Thames this year and usher in 2006 in style with a champagne and dinner cruise, followed by live jazz and a disco. Bateaux London is offering a superb midnight cruise including a three-course dinner, live jazz and the chance to count down to 2006 as fireworks explode along the river. Dinner cruises are a brilliant experience whether you are a visitor or have lived in London all your life.

Comedy Store

Laugh yourself silly then dance into the early hours at the Comedy Store - the most famous comedy club in the world. This is the perfect way to say goodbye to last year and set yourself up for next year with a smile plastered over your face.

Bond Ball

See in '006 with 007, along with a host of Moneypennys, Dr Nos and Pussy Galores. This event gets more popular by the year, and for New Year 2006 the entire Kensington Hotel will be booked out to Bond guests. Fancy dress events are always a hoot and this is a fantastic theme - true Bond fans will recognise every outfit while casual guests can enjoy the outlandish costumes, in-house casino and copious vodka martinis.

Ronnie Scott's New Year

Never less than a brilliant night out, Ronnie Scott's is the best destination in Europe for old time jazz lovers. This night has attained legendary status as the most convivial, classy party in the capital and New Year's Eve sees the return of long-time favourites George Melly and the Ray Gelato Giants.

Roy Ayers at the Jazz Café

Funky soul man Roy Ayers has sold out more nights in London than any other artist.

The Incredibly Strange Film Band

Oddest musical act of the night goes to this funky, oversized band who only play film soundtracks, each interpreted in their own oddball, jazzy style.

Torture Garden New Year Ball

Let your fantasies run free at the largest fetish ball in Europe this New Year's Eve, courtesy of the devoted deviants at Torture Garden. This event attracts thousands of revellers each year to break every resolution in the book in the safe, friendly confines of The Mass, with every whim catered for, including private rooms and dancers.

Singapore

The merriment here sustains through Christmas, betrayed by an illuminated Orchard Road. Open-air carolling concerts, midnight shopping and unrelenting festive cheer is charming. Join the thousands who throng to the Esplanade for what has become a New Year's eve family tradition in Singapore. Write your wishes for the New Year and let them flutter on the Bell Charms, then make your own live video dedication to be projected on giant screens.

The Mardi Gras Countdown Party at Clarke Quay will feature a theme party that will showcase Brazilian song and dance, and check out the Mardi Gras parade along the riverfront throughout the night. See Brazilian dancers, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, jugglers, acrobats and many more other performances all happening at Clarke Quay.

The Marina Bay New Year's Eve Countdown 2006 and the Sky Symphony Year-End Countdown Party with Singapore's longest fireworks display at 20 minutes is another of the cities major attractions on the eve. A little excursion away, the Siloso NYE Splash 2006 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa recieves 15,000 revellers for a beach party to herald the coming of a new year. This year's countdown bash will feature several DJs, raucous foam party as well as a dazzling fireworks display at midnight.

Hong Kong

Living up to the reputation of being the Pearl of The Orient, Hong Kong sparkles brilliantly on the big night, its skyline orchestrating a synchronised light beams, revealing a sight that is truly annual. Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) WinterFest, a month of unabating celebration serves up an opportunity of stretched revelry for residents and tourists alike. Running until January 2, 2006, the festival will transform Central District into a 'Christmas Wonderland'.

With a Dazzling Christmas Tree at North Statue Square, Hong Kong will be brightened as thousands of lights shine from the giant tree lit up nightly at 6.00 pm. This is the tallest christmas tree in Hong Kong, around 35 metres in height, decorated with traditional lights and colourful ornaments. It features thousands of lights controlled by computers and displayed in 68 different patterns.

Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is the spiritual home of all things, chic and artistic. From the central grand boulevards to the out-of-the-way charm of Montmartre, the city's 28 million visitors a year are rarely disappointed.

From the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame to the Sacré Coeur, Jardin du Luxembourg, Musée d'Orsay Louvre, Pompidou and Champs Élysées, all magnate to these locations to experience the buzz. The Place de la Bastille, the Left Bank and the Marais are home to numerous bars, clubs and restaurants. There are other possibilities for dinner and dance on New Year's eve: dinner on the Champs-Élysées, Latino restaurant and discothèque, restaurants in the heart of St-Germain des Prés. You can also enjoy the dawn of the New Year on one of Paris' beautiful riverboats. The River Seine cuts through the center of the city; you'll see Paris' miniature version of the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, place de la Concorde, Hôtel des Invalides, the Concie-rgerie, the musée de Louvre, Notre-Dame, île de la Cité, île Saint-Louis and much more. What better way to see the monuments lit up at night!