Easter is a wonderful time of the year to go on a holiday. After Christmas, Easter usually provides a much needed break for most people and it’s when the winter blues are giving way to the optimism of spring. There are a few great Easter break destinations which host some incredible celebrations and make for an exciting holiday.
In Europe, Easter celebrations and parades centre round the church. For example, in the historic and vibrant Spanish city of Seville, parades commence a week before Christmas. Almost 60,000 monks and priests from the city’s many churches march to the tune of flamenco style hymns alongside ancient wooden floats carrying silver statues. It’s quite a spectacle and draws thousands of visitors from all over the world. While in Seville, you can also explore the city’s historic centre, watch a bull fight, take in a flamenco performance and gorge on delicious tapas.
Florence is another city where Easter is celebrated with a quaint tradition that dates back several centuries. A wooden cart laden with fireworks is draw by white oxen. The cart winds its way through the streets and arrives at the church where the fireworks are then lit. Church bells ring in the background as the magnificent fireworks display lights up the sky. The city assumes a truly festive air. Florence used to be the capital of Italy during Roman times and its many wonderful palaces and museums house some of the finest Italian paintings and sculptures, including those by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. You will need a few days to really explore the city.
New York hosts an Easter Bonnet Parade which dates back to 1870. Like the city itself, the parade is eclectic and imaginative. Thousands of people wearing fantastic hats and bonnets decorated with feathers, sequins, paper and every kind of material you can think of, walk down the famous 5th Avenue. The best thing about the parade is that anyone can join in and that’s why many tourists too don some form of headgear and walk along. You will see some outrageously dressed drag queens, political and social activists carrying placards, proud pet owners with their pets and other New Yorkers participating in the parade. For kids, activities like egg hunts are organized in Central Park. A great way to arrive in New York is on a cruise and sail past the Statue of Liberty. Although cruises can be expensive, you can get a neat bargain with last minute cruises. Once in the Big Apple, you can visit museums, catch a play on Broadway, go clubbing, dine at fancy restaurants…the list is endless.