Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Rio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2 million party-goers will meet on Copacabana beach this new year’s eve. The ‘Revellion’ event is held every year and here you can eat, drink, watch fireworks and dance into the early hours of the morning. Rio is famous for its partying and many visitors talk of the great atmosphere, weather, scenery and of course the beautiful people. For many of the locals the occasion has a religious meaning and offerings of flowers, rice and perfume are made on the beach to the Goddess of the Sea. Live music is played throughout the day but the party really kicks off around 7pm when the entertainment starts on the official main stages. Be sure to wear white and you’ll blend in perfectly.

Happy New Year every one!

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a very cool city and “Omisoka” should be experienced at least once in your lifetime. Celebrations start early on 29th December and the fireworks, dancing and singing continue until the 4th January. The hip and young go to the city’s clubs to see their favorite DJ but if you want to celebrate in a more traditional way, head for the Zojoji Temple where locals drink sake, build bonfires and bring loved ones to be blessed.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is a special place to go to and spending New Year’s Eve at this unique and happening city would be a great experience. Iceland has a reputation for having excellent night life, which might have something to do with their long dark nights. The celebrations on New Year’s Eve start with gatherings around a large bonfire in each quarter of the city and follow with beautiful fireworks. Most then head down town to party until the early morning and many of the bars and clubs offer live music until at least 5am the next day.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in India

Goa, India

Goa hosts one of the world’s best New Year’s Eve parties and it’s this time of year the partying really steps up a gear. If you like to party really hard try Anjuna beach resort where rave/beach parties last for 3-4 days! On New Year’s Eve, all the resorts along the coast join together for one massive celebration. Dance like a madman surrounded by palm trees, sacred cows and locals selling space cakes then chill out at one of the many beachside cafes to watch the new year sunrise.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Australia

Melbourne, Australia

The friendly Australian city of Melbourne greets the new year with a series of celebrations at five venues stretching along the Yarra River. This huge event includes large firework displays, live comedians, and live bands!

Christmas in Hamburg

Christmas Market in Hamburg

The Hamburg Town Hall Christmas Market is filled with hand-crafted Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirge region and looked after by woodcarvers from Tyrol, bakers form Aachen (producing their famous “printen” cookies on the scene) or gingerbread makers from Nuremberg and the pottery is made by artists from the Lausitz region. Silversmiths and many other artisans and craftsmen from all over Germany invite you to marvel, join in, taste or simply enjoy this fantastic atmosphere in Hamburg.

Old-fashioned carousels bring a gleam to everyone’s eyes, not just the children’s. Hamburg has so much to offer during the festive season: you can enjoy a mug of glühwein on a lake Alster boat tour or you could visit a Christmas exhibition in one of the city’s museums.

There is a Christmas parade through the festively decorated city centre every Saturday during Advent. It’s a magical time for young and old alike in Hamburg’s theatres or on a ‘fairytale ship’ anchored along the Jungfernstieg promenade.

Christmas in Rio

World’s Largest Floating Christmas Tree Unveiled in Brazil

An 85-meter high Christmas tree, said to be the world’s largest floating Christmas tree, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was unveiled at Rodrigo de Freitas Lake in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday evening.

With the theme “A Gift for the Brazilian Family,” the floating Christmas tree was inaugurated for its 16th edition in the annual event, which is one of the three largest events in Rio de Janeiro, along with the Brazil Carnaval and New Year’s Eve.

The tree is as tall as a 29-story building, according to the organizers, Grupo Bradesco Seguros. The Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree is a symbol for yuletide days and will be lit up every evening until Jan. 6, when it will be lit for the last time, bringing an end to the holiday season.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

This annual London event held each winter at Hyde Park, the world-famous royal park in the centre of London. The event normally takes place during the Christmas season, normally beginning at the end of November and concluding in early January. It is one of the most popular family-based London attractions and in recent years has attracted such eclectic celebrities as Prince Harry, Liam Gallagher of Oasis, Kate Moss, Liz Hurley, Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding and Jamie Redknapp.

Winter Wonderland includes a wide range of attractions including the huge ice rink, the giant ferris wheel which offers superb views across central London from 200 metres above Hyde Park, the fun-filled Christmas circus and the selection of thrill-seeking rides. There is also a grotto where your kids can have their photo taken with Santa and his elves.

Winter Wonderland also offers a traditional German Christmas market, English style cafes and bars, the festive Bavarian Village and the house of St Nikolas. With over two-million visitors a year, Winter Wonderland is one of the world’s great festive attractions.

To learn more, visit http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

D&G is Young & Flamboyant

D&G is a slightly more casual line that follows an urban inspiration and attempts to set trends rather than follow them. It is the younger, more flamboyant line of the Dolce & Gabana brand.

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5 Designer Chairs for Your Home

Check out today’s selection of 5 designer for your home that you can get from Envy Interiors – which do you like best?

Munna: A masterful blend between tradition and opulence.

Jessica & Rabbit: Chair in foamed metal structure covered in leather, designed by Gino Carollo.

Bastide: Chair with padded seat and back and with wooden frame in shiny black lacquered finish, designed by Audree Putman

Anstase 1, designed by Christian Lacroix

Maximien 1 & 2, designed by Christian Lacroix

Visit our Downtown showroom (near Beirut Souks) for more info or call +961.1.982982.