Three trips, three moods

MoneyWeek's wealth editor picks a Maldives New Year, an insider's Munich, and a Northumberland stay under some of Europe's darkest skies.

Pixie Lott at midnight

The British pop star performs on New Year's Eve at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau, the headline act of the resort's "12 Pearls of the Ocean" run of festivities.

“12 Pearls of the Ocean”

Twelve days, twelve themes

Each pearl is a themed day, starting with the tree lighting on 22 December. Santa arrives by boat on Christmas Day, there's a Champagne yacht cruise, a lagoon party and a moonlit dinner by the sea.

Fireworks, drones and a diver

Midnight brings fireworks and a drone display over the lagoon to greet 2027. Guests can also dive into marine life with artist Janavi Kramer or book wellness practitioner Braj Raj Singh. From about $1,500 a night.

Munich, minus the tourist script

Kempinski, Europe's oldest luxury hotel company, has launched E.R.A.s, short for Experience Real Access, at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich. Experiences start at 130 euros per person.

Castles by air, canal by nerve

Fly over Bavaria's royal castles with two historians, dine to live music in the halls of Nymphenburg Palace, or plunge into the Eisbach canal with a Wim Hof expert and run with Lothar Matthaus.

A telescope in your suite

Matfen Hall sits on the edge of Northumberland's International Dark Sky Park, where suites come with telescopes and Kielder Observatory runs stargazing. From 350 pounds a night.