Jaunted

Tags: New Year's Travel / New Year's Eve / Events / New York City / Times Square / → All Tags

Five Rules For Enjoying The New Year's Ball Drop In Times Square

Although the picture above is about as close as we'll get to seeing the ball drop in NYC's Times Square, that doesn't mean that we can't help you get the most out of braving the crowds to have the once-in-a-lifetime New Year's experience.

Aside from no alcohol allowed, there are five major rules to having a great time at the ball drop and still getting a view of the action. Pay attention, because you've only got a couple more days to get your strategy together.

The Five Rules For Enjoying The New Year's Ball Drop In Times Square...

more ›

Tags: Wedding Travel / Las Vegas Travel / Destination Weddings / New Year's Travel / New Year's Eve / → All Tags

Where To Elope For January 01, 2010: Las Vegas, Baby!

If you want to ring in the New Year with a ring on your left finger, make like Ed Helms' Stu on The Hangover and head to Vegas. Here's your guide on how to elope in Sin City, but if you're looking to pull out a tooth, you're on your own.

Obviously, Vegas is the capital of quickie weddings, with more than 100,000 couples saying "I do" there each year, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. And the options are overwhelming. You could do everything from a wedding-on-the-go at the Little White Wedding Chapel's Tunnel of Love drive-through window for as cheap as $40—though you have to supply your own car—to a slightly more upscale affair at the Wynn, where perks include a wedding consultant, a private limo ride from the airport to the courthouse for the license and use of the private wedding salon. Packages be as high as $23,090, to ensure you won't be cheated from that overpriced wedding feel.

more ›

Tags: New Year's Travel / New Year's Eve / Events / Lists / → All Tags

Five Funky Alternatives To The New Year's Ball Drop

Everyone knows about that crystal ball drop in Times Square to celebrate the New Year, but there’s even better stuff falling from the sky around the country. If New York City is out of range this year, there might just be something a little more unique to welcome in 2010 close to home. Here’s just five of the New Year’s best celebrations dedicated to things falling from the sky and rising into it.

Five Places Where Weird Stuff Is Dropping In 2010

· Huge Hershey Kiss in Hershey, Pennsylvania
If you still haven’t had enough candy this holiday season, then take a ride out to Hershey for one more chance to binge on chocolate before the resolutions kick in. Everything is free and all the action takes place at the corner of Chocolate and Park Avenues—how cute. There’s no booze here, but the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies—remember them—will be performing at 10:30pm and midnight. As 2010 comes in, a giant Hershey’s Kiss will rise into the night sky followed by some fireworks.

More local celebrations and objects falling from the sky after the break…

more ›

Tags: Crime / New Year's Eve / Skiing / → All Tags

Aspen Defuses New Year's Bomb Threat

God save our aging, semi-retired celebs! After four homemade "gasoline bombs" disguised as holiday gifts were found in Aspen, police there say they found the body of the would-be bomber, a convicted con man who apparently shot himself before his New Year's plot could unfold.

The explosives were found at two banks and in a nearby alley along with notes demanding $60,000, leading police to seal off a 16-block section of downtown, shuttering restaurants and bars gearing up for a huge night. Celebrations in the celeb-stuffed ski village ground to a halt, and the professionally planned fireworks show was also canceled.

Locals say the suspect, James Blanning Jr., was upset that he hadn't cashed in on the town's transformation from mining outpost to celebrity ski haven, though we'd classify his apparent expertise in grandstanding and dramatic plots as straight out of Aspen resident Don Johnson's playbook.

Related Stories:
· Bomb Plot Interrupts New Year’s in Aspen [NYT]
· You, Me And Some Skis [Jaunted]
· All She Wants For Christmas... [Jaunted]

[Photo: non no yes]

Tags: New Year's Hangover / Celeb Travel / New Year's Eve / Rihanna / → All Tags

Rihanna's 2009 Accessory: Gloves?

When reached for comment outside London's Movida nightclub about being named a top celebrity traveler for 2008, Rihanna said in response, "What's Jaunted?"

Our favorite globetrotting celebs spread out and went all out to ring in 2009. Beyonce and Jay-Z joined Eddie Murphy, Daniel Craig and Donatella Versace (not all at the same party, we think!) in St. Bart's for the holidays, while the Hilton family enjoyed the slopes of Aspen, Colorado.

Britney Spears hit her older brother's wedding in New Orleans with her sons and sister Jamie Lynn, but Matt Dillon's New Year's Eve began with a little paperwork--he was arrested for speeding in Vermont.

But some stars didn't go anywhere: Reese Witherspoon took boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal to the Santa Monica farmer's market, snooze, while Shia LaBeouf was caught by paparazzi--at a convenience store.

Related Stories:
· 2008's Celebrity Traveler of the Year Is... [Jaunted]
· 2008's Best Airport Photo Shoot Is... [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: JustJared]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Zane Lamprey / Television Travel / → All Tags

Get Three Sheets With Zane

If you're looking for Hollywood's most boozetastic New Year's Eve event, you don't want to miss Zane Year's Eve at The Knitting Factory, hosted by Zane Lamprey. Who, you ask, is this Zane guy? Besides being the luckiest guy in the world, he's the affable and hilarious host of Three Sheets, the best travel-slash-drinking show, ever.

Zane travels the world learning all about local booze and drinking customs. The show ran for three seasons on the now-defunct MOJO HD and is currently being shopped around to several other networks. Earlier this month, fans staged "Save Three Sheets" rallies in both LA and NYC in support of the show by trying to draw the attention of industry decision makers. Check out the video here.

more ›

Tags: New Year's Eve / Cruises / → All Tags

Two Booze Cruises Worth Your While

New Year's Eve has come to rival the Fourth of July for public fireworks displays in cities around the country. But don't just crowd the sidewalks to get a glimpse--get on the grown-up version of your after-prom party, a nightlong booze cruise.

We're usually not much for cruises, but we'll make an exception for a night. If you don't mind the cold, try Spirit Cruises' Spirit of Chicago (8:30 pm-1 am, $147) for a view of the public show over Lake Michigan from Navy Pier. It's roughly the same price as the party on the pier, but includes a four-course meal and open bar.

If you'd rather open-air dancing and skimpy outfits, try Island Queen Cruises' Biscayne Lady in Miami (9:30 pm-12:30 am, $30). Food and drinks aren't included, but you can't beat the ocean-side view of the fireworks. Happy new year, boozers!

Related Stories:
· Spirit of Chicago [Official Site]
· Biscayne Lady [Official Site]

[Photo: michaelpecirno]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Live Music Travel / Wineries / → All Tags

New Year, New Vintage In NZ

In the Northern Hemisphere, wine tasting this time of year might consist of samples nabbed from Mom and Dad's basement store. But in New Zealand, there's still a chance to taste some first fruits and show off what you learned from "Sideways." All the better at Rhythm and Vines, a music festival held at a winery starting December 29.

Held in the town of Gisborne, one of the closest in the world to the International Date Line, Rhythm and Vines on the grounds of the vineyard Waiohika Estate features big acts like Santogold, Public Enemy and Franz Ferdinand--people you wouldn't necessarily associate with a fest for which people camp out. For those without New Year's Eve plans, bring your bestie with the just unveiled Double Trouble ticket pack including on-site camping and bus tickets back to Gisborne ($320) or take five friends for $858. Not a camper? Day passes to the fest are just $37.

Related Stories:
· Rhythm and Vines' Mega NYE Promo [Official Site]
· Sunrise Over The Turquoise Mountains [HC]
· Paris Hilton Makes New Year's Eve Plans [Jaunted]

[Photo from the 2005-2006 event: jesstherese]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Iemanjá / Religious Festival Travel / → All Tags

The Holy Beach Of Rio

Everyone should spend at least one New Year's Eve mingling on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Despite the massive crowds and the often underwhelming concerts, the cheers at midnight are joyous and the sights are fantastic. But if you're in town earlier in the evening, take a walk on the beach to catch the offerings to Iemanjá, a folk tradition honored at the end of every year on the beach.

In the Afro-Brazilian Umbanda religion, Iemanjá is the goddess of the sea and the protectress of women and fertility. Umbanda practicants dress in white to bring flowers, build altars and set out floating candles for Iemanjá, a rite practiced on New Year's Eve in Rio but a few weeks earlier in Salvador de Bahia and in February in Rio Vermelho, where the local Catholic church has rededicated her as Our Lady of the Seafarers. The cachaça will wait, we promise.

Related Stories:
· Rolling Stones Hit The Great Wall [Jaunted]
· Copacabana Palace Still Rules Rio [Jaunted]
· Rio's Saucy Postcards Over [Jaunted]

[Photo: zeiger]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Ferris Wheels / Tourist Attractions / Australia Travel / → All Tags

Melbourne's Wheel Finally Starts Turning

It's finally here, and we're pretty sure it's not worth the wait. We're talking about the Southern Star Ferris wheel in Melbourne, an attraction that was originally planned to open for the 2006 Commonwealth Games (yes, 2006!), and then had various false starts before finally starting to spin on Saturday, with a fireworks-led grand opening.

So far, there's been a mixed reaction to the Southern Star and a lot of people think the A$29 ($20) price is a bit hefty. That, and Melbourne's not really a city that gets more attractive from the air. From a guy who won a competition and got his ride for free:

It's a bit dull. There's nothing really that interesting to look down on and I certainly wouldn't pay 30 bucks to do it again.

Our only tip for the Southern Star is that it could be a cool place to hang on New Year's Eve. It's usually open 10 am-10 pm every day but for New Year's it'll stay open until 1 am. Since the fact that it's open at all is a surprise, there are probably still tickets available. But be warned: The online booking system isn't working yet, so for now you have to physically buy the tickets down at the wheel itself--that's another reason we figure they're not sold out yet.

Related Stories:
· Southern Star [Official Site]
· Wheel Life Takes to the Air [The Age]
· Will Someone Please Hit the Switch on Melbourne's New Ferris Wheel? [Jaunted]

[Photo: Vermin Inc]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Live Music Travel / → All Tags

To The (Movie) Theatah In Austin

Only Austin could make the idea of going to the movies on New Year's Eve seem cool. Of course, it's not just any theater that's doing it, but the legendary Alamo Drafthouse with its double-headed New Year's Eve party.

The Alamo Drafthouse puts your local multiplex to shame with features like the "Weird Wednesday" film series, "Rolling Road Shows" every summer that screen movies near where they were shot and, oh yeah, buzzable indie movies like "Let The Right One In." The Alamo New Year's Eve begins with a screening of "After the Thin Man," one of the William Powell-Myrna Loy screwball comedies that are basically advertisements for drinking, and a four-course meal; at 10 pm, instead of a dance party, there's a New Year's Eve singalong featuring the best of 2008 (with visuals by YouTube). Is your version of "Womanizer" better than Britney's? We bet it is!

Related Stories:
· Film Festival Travel: Once Upon A Time In Spain [Jaunted]
· To Do In Austin: Oscars Casual/ Oscars Classy [Jaunted]

[Photo: Alabaster Brow]

Tags: New Year's Eve / Japan Travel / Traditions / → All Tags

Have A Scary New Year!

Have you been good this year? American kids get this question from a fat man in a red suit at the mall, but their counterparts in Oga, Japan are accountable to the Namahage demons who run rampant through the town on New Year's Eve.

The Namahage Festival welcomes in the demons--er, dancers dressed as demons in straw skirts with cooking knives and pails--who scare children into their houses. There, while the parents comfort their probably freaked out children, the demons are appeased with rice cakes and sake and bring good luck on the town. Oga's celebration is the most famous, but New Year's Eve Namahage celebrations take place all over Japan... if you dare.

Related Stories:
· Holidays in New York: Heavy Breathing on New Year's Eve [Jaunted]
· Sexy Japanese Cartoons Coming To Singapore [Jaunted]
· Japan Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: rowdies_akiraman]