Fireworks in Monaco
was born on Albania’s National Day so there have always been fireworks on the night of my birthday. When I was little I was made to believe that those fireworks were there for my birthday celebrations, which made me feel very important. By the time I moved abroad there were no more fireworks on the 28th of November so it always felt that something was missing. Option 1 was to go back to Tirana for my birthday which isn’t always possible, and the second option is to have a New Year’s Eve somewhere with amazing fireworks.
I have celebrated New Year’s Eve only once in Milan, and was left very disappointed by the organization of the celebrations so I wouldn’t recommend to anyone coming here during the winter holiday season.
In Madrid you have to eat 12 grapes eating twelve grapes at the rhythm marked by the strokes of the clock that looks out from the top of the Casa de Correos and make a wish for every grape. I was worried that I would choke eating 12 grapes in 12 seconds, but the thing is that the strokes are slowed down to 3 second per stroke leaving a lots of time to eat the grapes. The fireworks are also amazing in Puerta del Sol and the celebrations last during all the night. I remember getting back home at 2pm on January 1st. It is always a long long night when you go out in Madrid.
In London everyone knows that the fireworks are amazing, with the London Eye being the center of attention. It is really hard to get a nice place to enjoy the fireworks because there are people who camp out to get the best locations 12 hours in advance and by midnight millions of people are out in the streets. But for sure London is an amazing city to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
One of my favorite places though remains Monaco. It is just a 3 hour drive from Milan, and I love the firework show in the small kingdom. I’ve been celebrating New Year’s Eve in Monaco 5 times and have always had lots of fun. The food at the Christmas market is wonderful, the decorations are always over the top, the Grande Roue gives you amazing views, and there is also an ice skating rink. The fireworks are thrown over the port, so you can have a wonderful view anywhere you are. To continue the celebrations I’d suggest going to Jimmy’z or to the Buddha Bar where there is live music till midnight and then famous DJs play all night long, but you’d have to book in advance. Another activity which is a one time thing to be done only in Monaco is going to the Casino Monte-Carlo, the building is amazing outside and inside, definitely worth a visit. As far as playing at the Casino, it is fun if you have already decided to spend some money without taking it too seriously when you don’t win. I’ve never gone out of it a rich person, but maybe that’s because I’d never play more than €50 euros.
In the future my plans are to have a New Year’s Eve in Sydney. It would be the first time having a December month with the summer weather and of course the amazing fireworks over the Opera House play an important role in the decision of flying to the other side of the world for New Year’s Eve.