New Year’s Under Wraps: Tripeden.com Presents Four Quieter Places to Welcome 2025
New Year’s – a time to celebrate with friends, family and for many, wild abandon. Letting your hair down is the only house rule as parties swing well into the early hours. But perhaps this isn’t for everyone. The transition from one year into the next is also a time to pause, consider and reflect. With 44%* of travelers motivated to use vacations as a time to mentally unwind, New Year offers a perfect chance to lose the crowds and enjoy some ‘me’ time, so we have found four quiet locations where visitors can kick back and enjoy the sounds of silence.
Moshi, Tanzania
Tanzania has a plethora of attractions for visitors from the Serengeti to Zanzibar and the Ngorongoro Crater to Mount Kilimanjaro. Africa’s highest mountain is a favorite destination for visitors and sits to the north of Moshi, the regional capital of the Kilimanjaro region, for travelers to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural backdrop. New Year is a quieter affair in Tanzania where locals and visitors can experience activities and attractions that are slower in pace in and around Moshi. Every year a watersports festival is organized with surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling available to help put a thrilling end to the year. Basking in some end of year sun, temperatures in Tanzania are around the mid-high 20 degree celsius (68 degrees fahrenheit), so outdoor activities are a must around this time of year. As well as tackling the slopes of the majestic mountain on this Kilimanjaro hiking day trip tour with Killinge Adventures, take time to visit the coffee farms and markets, explore the local museums and art galleries, or relax in the hot springs and waterfall.
Where to stay: For travelers wanting to get up close and personal to Kilimanjaro, Kaliwa Lodge in the foothills of the mountain is an ideal place. Just a few minutes away from Machame Gate entrance to the National Park, this lodge provides superb views of the mountain and surrounding area. Moshi is a 25-minute drive away and Kilimanjaro International Airport 23.6 miles (38 km) away, so guests here can enjoy the African countryside, perhaps with a glass or two from the on-site Papa’s Kilimanjaro Whisky Bar.
Bern, Switzerland
The historic capital of Switzerland is a picturesque city built on the banks of the river Aare. Bern has successfully blended present-day life with its past, the old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lined with 15-century architecture, the many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets, and historic towers add to the city’s unique charm. A variety of museums and historic buildings fill the streets, giving travelers a wide choice of attractions, including the Bernese Minster, the Zytglogge (Clock Tower), Parliament Square and the Museum of Communication. To experience these at a leisurely pace, try this Self-guided tour of Bern’s fountains, Clocktowers and Legends. The Swiss enjoy a good firework display and other celebrations at New Year, but visitors to Bern can find a more chilled and serene experience where life is generally slower and more relaxed.
Where to stay: Enjoy world class service at the magnificent Art Nouveau Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern, a 5-star palace hotel that dates back to 1913. Located in the heart of the city, this hotel offers spectacular views over the town, the river Aare and the nearby Alps. The property is also well located for day trips to Interlaken and Lake Thunersee after which guests can enjoy French and international cuisine at the Brasserie VUE.
Takayama, Japan
A city in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama has retained its traditional Japanese qualities. Its old town area has been well preserved and recognised as an area where visitors can explore buildings and streets that date back to medieval times when Takayama was an important and wealthy commercial town. Travelers visiting for New Year will find a more spiritual welcome with low key celebrations and traditions. Buddhist temple bells are rung at midnight on New Year’s Eve to clear away evil human passions, while residents also ring bells before indulging in a nourishing bowl of Toshikoshi Soba noodles. These special noodles symbolize the longevity of the New Year and not finishing the dish can invite bad luck. Locals also stay up until sunrise, praying to encourage and welcome good luck for the upcoming year.
Where to stay: Perched on the slopes of a hill, HAKU 100-year-old Quaint Japanese Style Villa offers views of the town as well as the surrounding countryside with snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Simply but comfortably furnished, this standalone property provides a quiet city location while being within easy reach of attractions, including the Takayama Showa-kan Museum, Fuji Folk Museum and Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village.
Sedona, Arizona, USA
Famous as Red Rock country with landscapes and unbeatable hiking opportunities to match, Sedona is the perfect location for both outdoor adventurers and spiritual seekers. Located in the Arizona desert and surrounded by rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests, the town itself is known as the ‘new age’ capital of the world and is a popular destination for travelers seeking meditation, inner peace and to leave the crowds behind. Thousands of visitors come to the town annually to enjoy physical and spiritual guidance as well as explore the abundance of alternative shops, spas and art galleries. New Year can be a relaxed affair and although celebrations are held, visitors can step back and join those taking a quieter, more spiritual approach.
Where to stay: Located in a west Sedona residential neighborhood, the Alma de Sedona Inn B&B is ideally placed for those seeking quiet and calm but still with easy access to the surrounding town and area - the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park are just a 1-mile walk away. Sitting on higher ground, the property offers superb views of nearby red rock formations and with a patio or balcony, fireplace and air-conditioning in all rooms, visitors can relax in a friendly, laid-back environment.
*Research commissioned by Tripeden.com and independently conducted among a sample of 32,300 respondents across 32 markets (including 2,000 from the US, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from the UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from the Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 500 from Austria, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled for leisure in the past 12 months including an overnight stay, planning to travel for leisure in 2024 and involved in travel planning. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2024.
**Travel Predictions 2025 research commissioned by Tripeden.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 27,730 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1,008 from Argentina, 1,012 from Australia, 505 from Austria, 1,001 from Belgium, 1,002 from Brazil, 1,009 from Canada, 1,009 from China, 1,002 from Colombia, 508 from Croatia, 504 from Denmark, 1011 from France, 1011 from Germany, 1016 from Hong Kong, 1,004 from India, 510 from Ireland, 504 from Israel, 1,014 from Italy, 1,004 from Japan, 1,009 from Mexico, 1,014 from The Netherlands, 1,015 from New Zealand, 500 from Portugal, 502 from Singapore, 1,010 from South Korea, 1,009 from Spain, 502 from Sweden, 507 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 1,003 from Thailand, 502 from the UAE, 1,007 from the UK, 1,005 from the US and 1,007 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2023.