UTP Top New Year’s Eve Destinations
After the last couple of years, hopefully the end of 2021 will signify a brighter future for us all. So why not celebrate that with an adventure over New Year. Here we take a look at some of the best Untravelled Paths destinations to welcome in 2022.
MOROCCO
A Moroccan adventure that takes you from the mayhem of Marrakech, through the High Atlas Mountains to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert
A muslim country might seem a bizarre place to go and celebrate New Year. What better way to celebrate the end of the year than watching the sunset and rise over the Sahara desert? The Sahara Desert Experience is magical and our top recommendation for New Year.
Starting and ending in magical Marrakech, make the journey through the wild Atlas Mountains. Stop to marvel at the clusters of authentic riads and Berber villages peppered along the road. Enjoy a visit to one of Morocco’s finest kasbahs, the spectacular desert castle of Ait Benhaddou, and take in the wild beauty of the stunning Todra Gorge. Once in the Sahara Desert, take the trek on the back of a camel to the crown of the towering sand dunes just before the sun sets – an utterly captivating sight. Upon your return, a traditional dinner awaits under a blanket of stars. End the trip in the delightful Ourika Valley taking in the mountain scenery that unravels before your eyes. Relax by the pool with a good book and a refreshing mint tea or enjoy a well-deserved hammam.
If you are interested in finding out more the please have a look at our fabulous Morocco experiences.
SLOVENIA
A mini break around Slovenia’s winter wonderland with Husky sledding, the breathtaking Lake Bled and the charming old town of Ljubljana
Slovenia offers the perfect blend of winter highlights. As such, the Husky Experience is ideal for a short New Year’s break.
Start off in Ljubljana, which literally means “the beloved”. Here, don’t miss a stroll along the Ljubljanica River and the cobbled alleyways of the old town. The following day, off you go into the mountains. Here you will meet the huskies who will accompany you on the adventure through the snowy forests. Once you will grasp the ins and outs of Husky sledding, off you go with your new team. Then you will soak up in the atmosphere of the mountain town of Kranjska Gora. Just take in the wintery scenery and relax. You might also want to opt for optional activities such as skiing or snowboarding or pamper yourself at the spa. Lastly, it’s back to Ljubljana, but not before visiting the picturesque Lake Bled and its castle and Church of the Assumption. A magical winter wonderland and the perfect winter mini-break.
If you are interested in finding out more the please have a look at our amazing Slovenia experiences.
LAPLAND
Explore the magical winter landscape of Lapland with its famous glass accommodation making it the best place to view the Northern Lights
You’ll need deep pockets but if you can afford Scandinavia over New Year then they are few places more enchanting Lapland. So come and join us on our Lapland Experience.
Go in search of the remarkable “Aurora Borealis”, more commonly known as the Northern Lights. Should you see them, few things can compare to watching them from the warmth of your own bed. Sleeping in a Glass Igloo and Glass Box room are genuinely once in a lifetime experiences you will not forget. There is plenty more on offer, from husky sledding, traditional Lappish dinners, ice restaurants, ice lakes, hot tubs, and saunas. You’ll also get to learn about the culture of the indigenous Sami people in Northern Finland. Don’t miss out on the wild food cooking workshop! For the more active, Finland’s premier ski resort in Levi awaits. Those in the festive spirit can even visit Father Christmas who is available to visit throughout December and the beginning of January!
If you are interested in finding out more the please have a look at our magical Finland experiences.
ROMANIA
A once in lifetime stay at the Hotel of Ice in Transylvania, which is also home to the legendary Dracula’s Castle
Celebrating the New Year and ticking off a stay at Transylvania’s Ice Hotel Experience all in one? Yes, please. Experience this and absorb some of Romania’s most picturesque medieval towns on a whirlwind adventure spanning just a few days.
After one night in the vibrant capital city of Bucharest, travel away into the heart of Transylvania. In Brasov, enjoy a leisurely stroll around charming cobbled streets, stopping to warm up in one of the town’s bohemian cafes dotting the alleyways. Then it’s up the mountain to the magical Ice Hotel past snow-capped peaks and frosty forestland. Get your heart racing with some snow activities or simply kick back with a hot drink and just enjoy the scenery. In the evening, brace yourselves for dinner ‘on ice’. Lastly, tuck yourself into cosy sleeping bags before braving the night in your ice-suite.
If you are interested in finding out more the please have a look at our wonderful Romania experiences.
SOUTH AFRICA
Welcome to the Rainbow Nation, a diverse country, rich with culture and abundant with activities that offer magical sceneries
South Africa, and in particular Cape Town, is the place to be over New Year. Being at the height of their summer season, it’s a whole new experience. Join us on our South Africa Experience and let us transport you deep into the vibrant heart of “The Rainbow Nation”.
Ripe with history, offering ample activities from beaches to hiking to mountains to wine farms, South Africa offers it all. We begin our experience in “The Mother City”, Cape Town, which is nestled in the belly of Table Mountain. We will awaken your tastebuds with a winery tour in Franschhoek Valley. Explore the beautiful coastal towns of Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, where you can indulge in optional activities. Think Elephant Sanctuary, bungee jumping, etc. From here, prepare to be in awe, as you will be transported to the majestic mountain range in the Drakensberg. Then it’s onwards to Rorkes Drift. Tales from the battlefields when the Zulus and British Army clashed will enthrall you. And last but not least, no trip to South Africa is complete without a safari. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to see the “Big 5”.
If you are interested in finding out more the please have a look at our fascinating South Africa experiences.
If any of these New Year destinations are of interest then please contact us and we’d be more than happy to organise your next adventure.
Written by James Chisnall, Untravelled Paths