IMAGINE if you’re given a whole year to tour Europe. What will you do and where will you start? The most rational way of celebrating New Year in Europe is right at the heart of London when Big Ben announces the strike of 12 midnight to usher in the new year. That is if you’re a partygoer. But there are lots of more romantic places to spend New Year’s Eve or simply New Year’s as they say. One can be at candlelit midnight dinner at the roofdeck of a five-star hotel overlooking the Eiffel Tower and River Seine with New Year fireworks as the backdrop of your very intimate dining experience. It can be helped if there is a live jazz band around but if you’re not into public display of affection with your loved one, then recorded romantic music will do. Don’t worry about the preparations, let your French date handle that. They surely are the most romantic bunch in the world, whether male or female. And with the fully lit Eiffel Tower in the distance, your New Year’s holiday can never be close to this fantastic. It is not even a difficult trip to plan - look into a eurorail passes which will give you economic flexibility and so you can relax on your European break, knowing the travel side of the vacation is taken care of. Be aware of the frequent offers too - this can really help cut costs on your travels!

After New Year festivities are over, it’s time now to hop onto the numerous attractions in Europe. If you are into wintry sports, then try the Swiss Alps. Aside from skiing, there are also sled racings, mountain bikings and other winter sport variants available in the Swiss Alps. Of course, staff at hospitality resorts in the Swiss Alps are well-trained since they are educated at Swiss hotel colleges which are the toughest and the best in the world. It’s like Harvard in the world of hospitality education. And resorts all over Europe have one common denominator – they are all given the blue flag accreditation which means they are inspected every quarter by the European Union for quality of service. But if the Swiss Alps is not your thing, then there’s another alternative winter destination – the Pyrenees somewhere in the Spanish-French border.

During summer, the most favorite destination of mine are the nudist beaches. I don’t know if that suits your taste too but I will roll out to you the hottest nudist beaches in Europe which you will never ever find in Jersey City. The best of the best can be find in the domed city of Cap d’Agde in France. It is actually a huge seaside shopping mall but everybody – from salesladies to patrons – are nude. Cap d’Agde also doubles as a hotel complete with a spa as well as a beach resort. Other hot nudist beaches in Europe are the Plage de Tahiti in the French Riviera, Paradise Beach in Mykonos and Playa d’En Bossa in Ibiza.

Summer can also be relaxing in such areas as Valencia where real estate development along the coastline is in full swing in preparation for America’s Cup 2009, the premier sailing race in the world.

Furthermore, if the water appeals - don’t forget about Europe’s most unique city - Venice! The architecture is extravagant, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is buzzing- it really is the perfect city break. With respect to cost, the home of St Mark’s Square more pocket friendly than one migt think when considering the grand cathedral and city centre edifices. Hotels in Venice are varied - like any big city, the accommodation there is over a wide scale and so every budget is catered for - similarly with regard to restaurants, bars and nightlife. Tourist attractions are relatively cheap and furthermore, if you go in the low season, you’ll not have to waste a minute queuing!