Lavish last-minute getaways for New Year's Eve

When it comes to New Year's Eve, an all or nothing approach can work best, so if you want to splash out and join the world's party here are some great ways to do it.

New York, New York
One of the ultimate places to go for New Year's is undoubtedly New York. If you are not one of the Brits lucky enough to have friends in the Big Apple, then there are still plenty of places to go to celebrate the new year with New York's crowds.

The centre of the celebrations for the city is Times Square, which will have the official countdown and a firework display. For more information on what is planned see www.timessquarenyc.org

To see all the action without having to be out in the cold, holidaymakers can check into the New York Marriott Marquis (www.nymarriottmarquis.com), which is about as close to the action as you can get.

More midnight firework displays are planned for the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York Harbor (above the Statue of Liberty no less) and Central Park.

And if you relish the opportunity to hang out in the city's top bars and toast the new year with champagne cocktails, some of the popular party spots to head for are BED New York (www.bedny.com), crobar (www.crobar.com), Lotus (www.lotusnewyork.com), Pacha (www.pachanyc.com) and Webster Hall (www.websterhall.com).

Spectacular Sydney
Australia's oldest city is littered with the country's icons - the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. And on New Year's Eve, the city's celebrations are focused around Sydney Harbour.

For the start of 2007, the city will have two fireworks displays, getting visitors warmed up with a show at 21:00, before launching into the real thing at midnight, which will be accompanied by a colourful light display and music.

For more information see www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au

Visitors sticking around after the celebrations can soak up the sunshine and get cultural with the Sydney Festival, which starts on January 6th and runs for three weeks.

For more information see sydneyfestival.org.au/

A free guide to the festival is available at www.austravel.com/festival

Have a luxurious New Year's break in Croatia
Croatia's stylish capital, Zagreb, with its grand squares, plentiful bars and beautiful buildings makes an ideal place to spend the New Year.

Tour operator, Hidden Croatia, is offering holidaymakers a five-star break at the Regent Esplanade Hotel.

The hotel is in a renovated art deco building, dating from 1925, and offers guests plenty of atmosphere for New Year's celebrations.

Upon arrival guests will be welcomed with champagne and will get sparkling wine, deluxe petit fours and fresh fruit in their room. Also included is breakfast, free use of the internet during your stay and a late checkout.

On the big night itself you can join other guests at the Regent Esplanade's New Year's Eve gala dinner for an additional £50 per person.

The offer is available from December 30th 2006 to January 2nd 2007, and prices start from £398 per person for three nights, on a bed and breakfast basis, including return flights from London Heathrow with Croatia Airlines, airport to hotel transfers (return).

For more information visit see www.hiddencroatia.com

For more ideas on spending New Year in Croatia see gb.croatia.hr

Go on safari
For an unusual and unforgettable new year and Christmas, you could escape and go on safari over the festive period.

Though the animals will not be too bothered about partying on the 31st, if you are serious about escaping all the noise and urban chaos of the festive season, this has to rank as one of the best ways to do it.

Adventure holiday specialists Exodus have a 14-day wildlife and conservation trip to South Africa's famous Kruger National Park over both Christmas and new year.

As well as excellent game viewing, holidaymakers can also participate in the area's rhino conservation project.

The trip departs on December 24th 2006 and costs £2,294, plus a local payment of around £95.

For more information see exodus.co.uk

Escape to Thailand
You could always swap the Christmas Turkey for the authentic spicy taste of Thai food by taking off for Bangkok.

An 18-day trip, also with Exodus, takes in the unique hill tribe cultures of north Thailand, a visit to Bangkok’s Royal Palace, an elephant ride and a day learning how to cook Thai food.

A fun, if extravagant, way of toasting the new year.

The trip departs on December 23rd 2006 and costs £1,795.

For more information see exodus.co.uk

Rent a cottage and party in Switzerland
Enjoy the cool mountain air of Switzerland and throw a New Year's party to remember in Nendaz.

The mountain resort is located in the middle of Alps, in the Valais region of Switzerland, and is a great spot from which to take all the breathtaking scenery the Alps are famous for.

As well as skiing and winter sports, walkers can discover the region's rivers, pastures, forests and glaciers.

There is also an old village with narrow streets where you can see locals making alpine cheese and take a tour around the ancient mill.

Holiday home specialists Interhome have a renovated traditional chalet available for seven nights from £906 (£151 per person based on six sharing), by the woods just outside of the Nendaz resort, which has a Swedish stove, a large garden and sleeps six people.

The chalet is available on December 28th 2006 for seven nights, and can be reached by car.

For more information see www.interhome.co.uk

If you like the sound of Nendaz, and want to find out about other accommodation options see www.nendaz.chXXX