Peking Duck
Hong Kong celebrates two New Years: the Chinese one and, so to speak, the 'global' one. The date of the former is determined by the lunar calendar and usually falls in late January – early February. The date of the latter is fixed: January 1. This day is an official public holiday and a day off.
People fly here anticipating a whirlwind of fresh sensations and vivid emotions. And multifaceted China fully justifies the hopes placed on it. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China... In the evening, a visit to the famous Peking Opera is usually offered. And the customary Peking duck for dinner at the hotel restaurant. A beach holiday on Hainan Island fits harmoniously into the trip. White sand, blue sky, clear water – everything we quietly dream about in the heart of a big city.
And the crown of the journey to the ends of the earth is the island of Hong Kong. The dynamic city lives at its own special rhythm. Elegant skyscrapers and cramped dirty alleys. The high cost of living and cheap eateries with wooden stools and the simplest food: noodles, dumplings.
A metro ride costs just over $1, a bus ticket – $1.5. A trip in the antique tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong, will cost $4. Visiting the tea museum with its pretty teapots, cups, and spoons is free of charge.
Goru Bihu or Gudi Padwa?
In India, nothing is simple. There, the count of years is officially based on the Saka era, according to which it is now 1926. And it will not change on January 1: a single national calendar was introduced in India in 1957, and by it the New Year falls on March 22. In fact, India has as many eras and New Years as it has states, districts, temples, and peoples – an almost countless number.
However, this does not cancel New Year celebrations according to the European calendar, especially for tourists. Tourists can celebrate the New Year in the most exotic places in India: in the Valley of Flowers in the Garhwal Hills or in the Valley of Silence in Kerala, or at the Jaisalmer resort in the middle of the Thar Desert. They can visit the city of Diu on the Arabian Sea coast, the mountainous state of Sikkim, the union territory of Pondicherry on the Bay of Bengal coast, the thousand-year-old temples of Khajuraho, and even the wild Andaman Islands – the easternmost part of India.
Some of the most vibrant New Year celebrations will take place in Agra and, of course, on the lively coast of Goa. If you happen to be in Goa, take some time and be sure to stroll through the streets of Panaji and Margao, where food lovers will find small cafes and can sample fish and seafood dishes recognized by gourmets worldwide, as well as the famous national drink feni, made according to old Portuguese recipes.
For those who do not want to risk our familiar European holiday but dream of seeing the Indian New Year, there are plenty of opportunities, since this festival is celebrated often and with taste in India. So where to go? In Kashmir it is called Hay Roz and falls in March-April. At the same time, Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa. Goru Bihu in Assam is celebrated in April-May, and then also comes the Sikh New Year Baisakhi (also Vaisakhi) in Punjab – one of the most important and most colorful holidays in the country. On April 14 comes the Bengali New Year Naba Barsha with its processions and fantastic dances at dawn. The Tamil New Year is called Puthandu and is accompanied by the Festival of Automobiles and many other merry amusements.
Arabian flavor
The United Arab Emirates are one of the favorite 'Russian New Year's fairy tales': top-level service, safety, and conditions for beach holidays in winter.
You can relax here in different ways – if you wish, take part in a jeep safari over the dunes of the Arabian desert, or spend your time comfortably on luxurious beaches. Among the unusual, you will be offered an automobile journey through wadis, dry riverbeds; among the traditional – a desert safari, oases, excellent golf resorts and, of course, duty-free shopping.
Each emirate offers its own type of recreation – modern Dubai will suit those who will appreciate the possibilities of luxurious shopping malls and an active nightlife. The emirate of Fujairah is beaches on the coast of the Indian Ocean. And in Abu Dhabi, green parks and interesting museums will introduce visitors to the history and culture of this 'young' Eastern state.
Having studied the 'stormy' and 'unrestrained' nature of Russian citizens, some hotels practice collecting a deposit for New Year, a security deposit of $100-200 in case unscrupulous compatriots refuse to pay for all the alcoholic beverages they consumed, ordered in the hotel's bars and restaurants.
Skiing New Year
Holidays in Bulgaria, if assessed in terms of price/quality ratio, are among the best. And even downhill skiing is a quite affordable pleasure here. The absence of a language barrier (Bulgarian is very similar to Russian) is an additional plus for those who like to vacation actively while feeling at home. So going with the whole family, for example, to the snow-covered Rhodopes, the southernmost and sunniest ski resort in Europe, is an excellent idea for celebrating the New Year and winter holidays. Here there is a mild climate, plenty of sun and snow, and 14 comfortable slopes, modern lifts, an excellent ski school, and an inexpensive skipass (ski equipment rental + instructor + Ski-pass = only €167 for 6 days).
Another well-known resort – Borovets – we recommend to skiers and snowboarders who prefer more intermediate slopes. For family skiing, it is better to go to Pamporovo. But Bansko is a resort for experienced athletes; the descents here are interesting and challenging. Besides skiing, Bulgaria has a decent sightseeing program and tasty food, and for New Year you are guaranteed a luxurious dinner.
Bulgarian cuisine is the country's main attraction, reflecting the history of its state development and combining the culinary traditions of Greece, Turkey, and Slavic countries. Be sure to try a stew of meat with potatoes and vegetables called "gyuvech", a stew of minced meat - "musaka", breaded lamb liver with rice and eggs - "drob-sarma", stewed fish with vegetables - "plakiya", the famous Shopska salad made of Bulgarian peppers, tomatoes, and grated sheep cheese. Among soups, we recommend "leshta chorba" - a lentil soup - and "tarator" - a cold soup of sour milk with potatoes, onions, walnuts, and cucumbers. You can wash it down with locally produced wines, and for dessert be sure to order "white jam". It is very tasty, and you will find out what it is made of when you taste it.