Looking for a quieter place to welcome? Booking.com suggests four destinations

New Year - time to celebrate with friends, family, and for many, crazy fun. Complete relaxation and enjoyment is the only rule of parties that last until the early hours of the morning. But it may not be for everyone. The transition from one year to another is also a time to stop, think and remember.

destination welcome
Kaliwa Lodge, photo source: Booking.com

Since 54%* of Croatian travelers want to use the holidays as a time for mental relaxation, the New Year is the perfect opportunity to break away from the crowd and enjoy peace with yourself, so Booking.com has found four quiet locations where visitors can relax and enjoy the sounds of silence.

Bern, Switzerland

The picturesque historic capital of Switzerland is built on the banks of the Aare River. Bern has successfully combined modern life with its past, with the old town being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 15th century architecture, numerous fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers only add to the unique charm of this city. The streets are lined with a variety of museums and historic buildings, so travelers can choose attractions including Bern Cathedral, the Zytglogge (clock tower), Parliament Square and the Museum of Communication. To experience all this at a relaxed pace, we recommend independent tour of the fountains, clock towers and legends of Bern. The Swiss love a good fireworks display and other traditional New Year celebrations, but visitors to Bern can find a more relaxed and peaceful experience in a place where life is generally slower and more relaxed.

Bern
Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern, photo source: Booking.com

Where to stay: enjoy the superior service it offers Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern, a 1913-star hotel from 5, decorated in Art Nouveau style and located in a palace. The hotel is located in the center of the city and offers beautiful views of the city, the Aare River and the nearby Alps. The facility is in an excellent location for day trips to Interlaken and Lake Thunersee, after which guests can enjoy French and international cuisine in the Brasserie VUE restaurant.

Moshi, Tanzania

Tanzania offers visitors many attractions – from the Serengeti to Zanzibar and from the Ngorongoro Crater to Kilimanjaro. Africa's highest peak is a favorite destination for visitors, located north of Moshi, the capital of the Kilimanjaro region. There, travelers can indulge in stunning natural beauty. New Year in Tanzania is a quieter event, so locals and visitors alike can enjoy slower-paced activities and attractions in and around Moshi. Every year, a water sports festival is organized with surfing, diving and snorkeling so that you can end the year in an exciting way. Temperatures in sun-drenched Tanzania at the end of the year range from 24 to 29 degrees Celsius, so outdoor activities are inevitable at that time of year. Be sure to head to the slopes of the magnificent mountain during  one-day hiking on Kilimanjaro with Killinge Adventures, but also take time to visit farms and coffee markets, explore local museums and art galleries, or relax at the thermal springs and waterfall.

Tanzania
Kaliwa Lodge, photo source: Booking.com

Where to stay: it is an ideal place for travelers who want a closer encounter with Kilimanjaro Kaliwa Lodge at the very foot of the mountain. The cabin is located just minutes from the Machame Gate entrance to the national park and offers beautiful views of the mountain and surrounding area. You can reach Moshi 25-minute drive, and Kilimanjaro International Airport is 38 kilometers away, so guests can enjoy the African countryside with a glass or two from the on-site Papa's Kilimanjaro Whiskey Bar.

Thisyloves, Japan

Takayama is a city in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture that has retained the characteristics of traditional Japanese culture. The old part of the city is well preserved and recognized as an area where visitors can explore buildings and streets dating back to medieval times when Takayama was an important and wealthy trading center. Travelers coming for the New Year will be greeted by a more spiritual atmosphere with quieter celebrations and traditions. At midnight on New Year's Day, Buddhist temple bells ring to ward off evil human passions, and townspeople ring the bells before heading out to enjoy a hearty bowl of Toshikoshi soba noodles. These are special noodles that symbolize New Year's longevity, so if you don't finish the dish, you could invite bad luck. The local population stays awake until sunrise, calling and praying for good luck in the coming year.

destination welcome
HAKU 100-year-old Quaint Japanese Style Villa, photo source: Booking.com

Where to stay: it is located on the slopes of the hill HAKU 100-year-old Quaint Japanese Style Villa with a view of the city and the surrounding landscape and the snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance. This self-catering property is simply but comfortably furnished and enjoys a quiet location in the city within easy reach of attractions including the Takayama Showa-kan Museum, the Fuji Heritage Museum and the traditional village of Hida Minzoku Mura.

sedona, Arizona, CSAD

The town of Sedona in an area known as "red rock country" with beautiful scenery and unbeatable hiking trails is the perfect location for those seeking outdoor adventure and spiritual upliftment. Located in the Arizona desert and surrounded by rocky hills, steep canyon cliffs and pine forests, the city is known as the world capital new age and a popular destination for travelers seeking meditation, inner peace and solitude. Thousands of visitors come to the city every year to indulge in physical and spiritual guidance and explore numerous alternative shops, spas and art galleries. The New Year here can be very relaxed and, regardless of the organized celebrations, travelers can move away from them and join those who have decided on a more peaceful and spiritual approach.

destination welcome
Alma De Sedona Inn B&B, photo source: Booking.com

Where to stay: Alma de Sedona Inn B&B is located in a residential area in the western part of Sedona, in a perfect location for those looking for peace and quiet, but also access to the city and the surrounding area - Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park are only 1,6 km away on foot. Thanks to the fact that it is located on elevated ground, the facility offers beautiful views of the nearby red rock formations, and all units are equipped with a terrace or balcony, a fireplace and air conditioning, so visitors can relax in a pleasant and relaxing environment.

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