The days are passing by and the year has almost come to an end. While many in the City are planning to party the night away, the expatriates from various parts of the world who have made Bengaluru their home, are heading away to ring in the New Year. There are also some who will be back on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the time with their family and friends.
Beth Chapman, who is from the United States of America, is currently in Italy. “We first went to Rome and stayed in a tiny neighbourhood near the Spanish steps. We then went to Via del Baubino. The Baubino fountain is literally right across the street and we stayed in an elegant apartment with antique pieces and freshly done walls,” she says.
“From here, we left to Venezia by train and stayed in a heritage palace on a canal close to La Fenice, the famed opera house. It was a magical Christmas in Italy’s most magical city,” she adds.
The family is now planning to spend the New Year in Firenze. “Our huge ultra modern apartment is located on the famous Via Maggio. We will be spending the New Year’s here listening to one of the classical concerts and watching the fireworks go off,” she notes.
While Beth is revelling in Italy, Francesca Cossa, who is from Italy, will be flying down to Sri Lanka the week ahead with her husband. “We will be in Sri Lanka for a week and we are really excited to visit the place.
We will tour different parts of the island nation and spend some time in Colombo and a few days on the beach as well,” she says. Francesca spends almost every New Year in Italy. “We celebrate Christmas in a grand way and the celebrations continue on to the New Year.
So we are always there with our family. But this time, some of our friends from Italy will be joining us in Sri Lanka,” she adds.
A number of expatriates plan to explore incredible India as well. Nicholas Dumbell, general manager of Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, will be heading to the ‘Golden Triangle’ with his family.
“My wife Alison and sons Toby and George will spend two nights in Jaipur, one night in Agra and one night in Delhi,” he says.
“We had gone to Rajasthan during ‘Deepavali’ as well and enjoyed the holiday. We love elephants and like to play with them. So this time as well, we will be doing the same,” he exclaims.
The family, however, will return to the City on New Year’s Eve to spend it with their friends here.
Bridget Frei, who resides in the City with her husband and two sons, has gone to her hometown in South Africa for the season.
“We got here two weeks ago. My father’s house is in Pietermaritzburg and on New Year’s Eve, I am going to my native farm in Underberg. It’s also my father’s birthday on December 31 and he turns 79 this year. So we want to spend as much time with him as possible,” she sums up.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks