![Ring in the new year in a different place](http://media.assettype.com/outlooktraveller%2Fimport%2Foutlooktraveller%2Fpublic%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fexplore%2FBG.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
If you're like most people, you must be tired of having to come up with new year plans every single year. Reading some of these names might elicit a blank stare from you, but don&rsquot let that stop you from considering visiting these places to have a different (and memorable) start to your new year.
East Cape, New Zealand
How wonderful would it be to welcome the New Year by having the first rays of the sun warm your face as you stand at the edge of the easternmost place in the world and thus, experience the New Year before everyone else East Cape, a little-known part of the New Zealand islands, is tucked away in the North Island of Gisborne city and is a relatively quiet, rural place where everyone knows each other. This special corner of the country is in full bloom around new years due to summer and is the perfect time to attend the outdoor music festival Rhythm and Vines. If you prefer quieter activities you can explore spectacular surf beaches, slide down natural water slides, view mesmerizing waterfalls and go on walks in the lush forests without the added inconvenience of a crowd of tourists. Horse riding, tractors on the beach, fresh fish for dinner &ndash it's all part of daily life here.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Ever heard of a three-day festival dedicated to celebrating the New Year The Scots celebrate the fresh year with spectacular events, great music and amazing crowds from every corner of the globe. Thousands of people take to the city&rsquos streets, parks and pubs to celebrate Hogmanay (Scottish word for the last day of the year) every December 31st &ndash and if you&rsquore thinking of joining them, you&rsquoll receive a warm welcome. There are a plethora of events like a torchlight procession, live music concerts, a massive street party, traditional dancing, fireworks, and even a costumed parade that ends with a cold dip in the river Hogmanay events take place all over the city but the main Hogmanay celebration centers on Princes Street Gardens in central Edinburgh. As the bells strike midnight, join hands with friends from across the globe by taking a January journey through Edinburgh discovering its fantastic cultural heritage.
Rügen, Germany
This gorgeous German island offers a more sedate way of ringing in the New Year without foregoing the New Year party spirit. Head to the Binz Christmas market for music, dancing and great fireworks display down at the pier. Even though celebrations are low key, each small village has its own traditions and celebrations either on the harbour, on the beaches and some even in the lighthouses. At this Baltic Sea Island, you can even enjoy the fireworks from a wicker beach chair right by the sea at the Strandkorbsilvester party. At midnight grab a spot on the sand and watch the wonderful fireworks. You can even put on your hiking boots and go out for a walk to explore the lovely island with its long, quiet beaches and stunning chalk cliffs. This island is perfect for those who want a beach experience without the strong heat of the sun. Their motto is &lsquoCelebrate like a Viking&rsquo so you&rsquoll find bonfires, some medieval markets and artists booths, rustic ambience in the restaurants, and even Viking ships.
Bratislava, Slovakia
The old town is divided into concert zones for those who like live music and party zones for those who want to socialise. A wonderland of tastes, scents, colours and love will welcome you as you set foot into the country. The city celebrates the arrival of the New Year all night and many Bratislava restaurants put on special events for tourists. It&rsquos definitely worth coming out to the streets of the Old Town, where the entertainment culminates with everybody counting down the seconds to midnight. Head to Bratislava&rsquos famous clubs and spend the last night of the year listening to music. During the evening, you can take yourself to the heights from where you can enjoy the New Year&rsquos fireworks on the palm of your hand or enjoy the feeling of a royal feast spent on the castle hill. New Year's Eve in Bratislava becomes each year more and more popular not just along among Slovaks, but also among foreigners.
Weymouth, UK
Didn&rsquot get enough of Halloween Don&rsquot ditch those costumes yet. Famous for its fancy dress extravaganza, Weymouth, a harbour town on the stunning Dorset coast is widely known for the fun and joy it brings people as they party into the night to end one year and take a step into the next. With plenty going on and something for everyone, Weymouth is the place to be this New Years&rsquo. The Town Clock, one of Weymouth&rsquos best-loved landmarks has been a meeting place for generations of both locals and visitors since it was first built in 1887. It has been the focal point of Weymouth&rsquos New Year&rsquos Eve celebrations. As midnight approaches, revellers gather beneath its four faces to enjoy the countdown to the New Year. The town transforms for New Year&rsquos Eve and fancy dress is so popular you&rsquoll look pretty peculiar if you don&rsquot don a costume. There&rsquos always live music, a beer tent and a selection of food stalls to make sure the evening goes with a bang.
American Samoa
These lush, tropical islands with geometrically-cut mountains and royal blue waters create quite the striking contrast. Christened the new country on earth to experience the last rays of the sun every day after Samoa skipped over the dateline in 2011, this breathtakingly beautiful country has a strong Samoan culture and a place full of adventure opportunities. An interesting tidbit about this island is that even though it&rsquos controlled by the US, it doesn&rsquot belong to America. We know, it&rsquos confusing. Lounging on the two dollar beach, doing yoga up on Mount Alva, hiking the National Park, snorkelling the surrounding lagoons, visiting historical World War II sites, or simply shopping choosing will be the hardest thing you'll ever do while here. Although this marvellous holiday destination doesn&rsquot five-star hotels or mass tourism, you can find a great selection of affordable accommodation and services and some of the friendliest people in the South Pacific.