The best party destinations in the world, ever

March, annually

The penultimate week in March every year marks the official opening of party season at the Miami Winter Music Conference. Anyone who’s anyone in the events, dance and music industry descends upon Miami to sample what’s new for the coming year. Not an industry insider? It doesn’t matter. Stay on South Beach to be where the party’s at – your concierge at The Shore Club (pictured above) or The Delano will be able to point you in the right (or perhaps that should be wrong) direction…

Photo by the Shore Club

May, annually

Inspired by its spectacular US counterpart, Burning Man Festival, South Africa’s fledgling event Afrika Burn is also a ‘participant-created’ temporary city. It showcases artists’ work and features themed camps, music and performance art, so be prepared to dress up and lose yourself in an extraordinary landscape. Afrika Burn is based just outside Cape Town in Tankwa Karoo, but if you start to crave civilisation and shelter from the searing heat, you can always head back to Cape Town and cool down in the chic bars in Camps Bay.

May to September, annually

No list of world party destinations would be complete without Europe’s ultimate hedonistic hang out, Ibiza. My favourite super-club of all time and home to the Euro clubbing contingent, Space, opens its terraces towards the end of May every year. Having enticed all the best DJs and club nights away from the more established super-clubs, relative newcomer Ushuaïa Tower is currently the hang out of the island elite. This season’s other exclusive hangouts include Nikki Beach and atmospheric sundowner spot The Experimental Cocktail Club.

May to September, annually

When a young British DJ duo set up the Garden Festival in Tisno in 2006, little did they know they were planting the seed for Croatia to become the hotbed of the dance music festival scene. More events started sprouting up all over, from US imports like Ultra on the sun-kissed shores of Split, to smaller homegrown events such as Unknown in Rovinj and Hideout in Pag. The Style Traveller tip? Leave the tent at home and charter a yacht for the week instead – that way you can jump ship when you need to retreat from the madness.

Photo by the Garden Festival

June to September, annually

The beautiful old town of Visby on Sweden’s largest island, Gotland, undergoes a transformation during the summer months, from a sleepy, tranquil backwater to Sweden’s elite party scene. To look like a local, park your sports car by the port, indulge in a crayfish and champagne supper, then head to Kallis and party till the sun goes down, which could be longer than you’re expecting – Gotland has 24-hour daylight in the summer…

Photo by Kallis

May, June and July, annually

Surfer’s paradise Kuta Beach is often touted as Bali’s party capital, but for a more adult and sophisticated scene, head to Seminyak Beach along the coast, where the smart set go to play. With design hotel Potato Head hosting daytime pool parties for the aesthetically-minded traveller, and spectacular sundowner drinking spot Ku de Ta nearby, this is Asia’s answer to stylish partying for the well-heeled. Stay at the W Hotel to be right in the centre of the action.

Year round

Filled to its industrial rafters with an uber-trendy, eccentric clientele (Lady Gaga had her birthday party here) Berlin’s Berghain night club has been touted as the world’s best techno club. Housed in a disused power station on the isolated outskirts of the city, once inside you can pick from two main rooms with incredible sound systems, and dance till you drop, literally (some parties last over 24 hours). That’s if you can get in. The door policy is infamous for being extremely strict.

Year round

Rio de Janeiro is world-renowned for its carnival in February, but it is also a great destination for party animals on any night of the year. If you want to channel your Latin spirit, head to the bohemian district of Lapa – more specifically the eclectic, bordello-style nightclub, Rio Scenarium, where you can unleash your samba skills on the dance floor.

 Photo by Getty images

Year round

If you have no wish to reenact scenes from The Hangover and you try to avoid spring breakers at all costs, check in to the Wynn Hotel and party with the Vegas cool crowd. Boasting David Guetta and Avicii among its resident DJ line up, this is world-class clubbing at its best. Chill in the luxury private cabanas by day, at The Encore Beach Club, and indulge in XS by night.

Year round

Charting the lunar cycle, Thailand’s legendary Full Moon Party descends upon Haad Rin Beach in Ko Pha Ngan every month. Booming sound systems churn out trance, drum & bass, reggae and house tunes along the length of the beach, which is frequented mainly by Western travellers. Luxury this is not (leave the designer threads at home), but if you’re seeking a little adventure this is the place. For the more discerning traveller, I’d recommend staying on neighbouring islands Koh Samui or Koh Tao and diving in and out of the resort for one night only.

Photo by John Seaton Callahan / Getty Images