First foot club
Anna Millar finds there’s still plenty of time to ensure 2005 arrives with a bang. whether you’re chilling on a beach in Asia, taking in a band in Times Square or enjoying the cosy ambience of a cottage up North.
ew year‘s resolutions. l. Admit del‘eat and cancel direct debit on gym membership (14 months of non- attendance maketh not a gym
member). 2. Attempt a pint of
lager without lime like a Proper (Brown Up. 3. Learn l"rench/ ltalian/(ierman then set up residence in l’aris/Verona/Berlin. It‘s an oddity. really. but it seems as New Year A and all its l‘rills ~ becomes more cliched. the pressure to have Serious l5un escalates. In fact. call me a misery. but the New Year thing is increasingly hard work: who to hang out with. where to go. how much to spend. Worse still. with Slade's l'estiye output already booming around the shops. it‘s all too easy to imagine that the best laid plans to try something new for 2005 are somewhat redundant. Truth is. a decade ago. that might have been the case. But not any more: the last five years have seen a mass infiltration of bargain basement airlines and budget chain hotels; it‘s simply about looking in the right places and — unless the package is exceptional — cutting out the middle man. l-laye a realistic budget in mind and there are plenty of cost
Clil‘CL‘llVL‘ alternatiy‘es to be lliltl. Indeed. persey'erance and a good web-head will enable you to custom build a package l'or pretty much anywhere you lancy.
'l‘hose l'eeling the urge lot" something a little liuropean should log on to S.\' Brussels Airlines lwww.llysn.eom). which is oll‘ering some great deals to Brussels. Barcelona, Copenhagen and Lyon over the (‘hristmas and New Year period. ()ld stalwarts like
New York
TRAVEL
Ryanair lw w w.i‘yai1aii'.eoini and liasylet tww\\.easyiet.comi are a good option lor Paris. Milan. Gothenburg and Stockholm. with prices slarting iron] as low as L'll) return. ()ther sites worthy ol mention are ()peniet lw w w.open_iet.eoml and ('heap l‘lights (w w w.eheapl'lightst'tLuk l.
'l‘hose hot—trolling it o\ er to Paris should look out tor the special gallery opening times throughout the l'estiye periods. While many D
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You don‘t have to go far to celebrate Hogmanay if you don't fancy travelling — Scotland has plenty to offer.
Glasgow
Snow Patrol. Sound Development Agency and the Midden get the party started as George Square brings in the New Year in style.
Edinburgh
Bigger and better than ever before, the capital‘s party boasts the Scissor Sisters, Blondie, Aberfeldy and Mylo as well as a jam packed four- day French-inspired programme.
Aberdeen
Scottish stars Deacon Blue, Hue and Cry and David Sneddon (pictured) headline. Keep an eye out for non-stop music and entertainment on two stages at Castlegate and Langstane.
Comrie
Home to the traditional flambeaux, an ancient torchlight procession originally performed to drive evil spirits from the village of Comrie. The procession marches round the village to the four points of the compass. Don your fancy dress and join the gang.
lnverness
Considered the Highlands and Islands capital, lnverness is a good option for those seeking something a little more low key. Look out for the lighting of the riverlights with music and a fireworks display above the castle.
Stirling
Following last year’s sell out, Stirling‘s back with a bang. Lulu headlines with the Jimi McRae Band and the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band as support.
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