LONDON, December 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

New Year is fast approaching and last minute holiday plans could help you to welcome 2013 in style. Pack your bags and put on your party hat as Direct Holidays brings you some of the best places to go on holiday to celebrate the New Year.

Mexico

Home to some of the best beaches, Mexico has so much to offer holidaymakers. Diving is highly rated in Mexico with the scuba diving Island of Cozumel situated just off the Mayan coast. Surrounded by reefs and clear waters, it's one of the world's most famous diving spots.  

Not only are cheap Mexico holidays enjoyable all year round but the country really comes alive for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The tradition of eating 12 grapes on each of the chimes to midnight on New Year's Eve is shared with Spain and other parts of South America.

Cuba

New Year is a huge celebration in Cuba as it coincides with the celebration of the success of the revolution. To wash away any bad memories from the past it is traditional to throw a bucket of water, so watch where you tread!

The biggest celebrations will be in the cities and towns. The beautiful city of Havana is hugely popular for short breaks and cheap holidays, offering lively parties, spectacular fireworks and night-long revelry.

Madeira

Beautiful lights spring up along the streets of Madeira's cities and towns during the festive season and the New Year is welcomed in with a lively party and celebration. To catch the main action head to Funchal to see the impressive midnight fireworks light up the sky.

If you're in town on the 28^th you will also catch the annual Sao Silvestre race, a long-distance race around the city of Funchal and one of the oldest races in Portugal.

New Year Break

If you're already busy with New Year plans at home, then you can always book a short getaway for early in the New Year to make sure you've got a sunshine break ahead to get you through the cold winter months. Cheap holidays to Majorca and Southern Spain are available in the Spring, so you can top up your tan and be the first to show off your summer glow. Greece is also a great place to catch the first rays of sun as the winter fades away, so book a Rhodes or a Crete holiday early to get the best deal and to fend off the New Year blues.