When it is Easter weekend, no excuse is required for outings. It is the time when the weather steps into warmer days and pleasant evenings. People all the way from Europe to North America start to prepare for tourists and visitors during this period.
With the mention of Easter, the first thing that strikes one’s mind is the colorful carnivals, joyous fanfare, bands and parades. A few places are famous for Easter Carnivals. If you are planning a short-term vacation during the Easter holidays, here are few options. The first three discuss quick and crisp breaks and the last three are the best options for relaxing and unwinding with your family.
Although these are just suggestions, you need to plan your vacations keeping a few things in mind. The outing should fit into your vacation plan. See that every member of the family enjoys the vacation. It is not necessary you make the vacation a religious or theme based one.
Jamaica
The Easter Carnival Festival of Jamaica started in 1990. It starts every year at Beach Jouvert on Easter Sunday before daybreak and goes until late at night. The whole cavalcade ends with the Road March performed by men in colorful uniforms. Calypso and Reggae are the locals’ favorite type of music, different bands play it. Reaching the place is not a problem. There are many flights offering discount airfare on Easter. Hotels should be booked before hand by tourists to avoid high prices. Kingston, well known for the criminal activities that go on there is the capitol. Be careful in this city. Nightclubs and restaurants work around the clock during the celebrations.
Semana Santa, Spain
Semana Santa is famous for churches. Easter eve is a special occasion in this city. Religious parsons and priests carry out processions during this time. They dress up in long robes and hoods. The passion of Christ is the base for these processions. Huge processions start out from the churches on Thursday night; the processions go around the city the whole night and return to the church on Good Friday morning. Many people participate in a procession; a band that does religious recitals accompanies it.
There are several places to stay in the city fit for the families. Bars and eateries are open extra hours for the tourists. For the convenience of tourists, many airlines offer cheap flights during this period.
Sao Bras de Alportel, Portugal
This is a small town in Portugal. It is quite calm and peaceful with churches and pleasant beaches. On Easter Sunday the whole town comes together to participate in their unique ceremony. Colorful flowers and ribbons decorate the streets. A procession goes out from the main church accompanied by priests, religious members and the public. They shout slogans on the way like ‘Christ has risen’ and ‘Hallelujah’.
The town has many beaches and restaurants that serve delicious native food. Cheap hotels offer affordable rooms that are vacant even during the festive time. Just remember to book air tickets in advance for hassle-free enjoyment.
Nepal
The Hindus consider the Himalayas holy. It is home to innumerable animals and birds and offers fresh water to people. Many shrines are built on the mountains that are visited during pilgrimages. While there is the holy aspect, another aspect is the beauty of the enchanting folds. Nepal is a mountain country situated on the Himalayas. Katmandu is the capital of the country. You can go on fun filled camping trips, just remember to plan everything in advance. Another option would be to book a room in any of the hotels, stay for a couple of days with your family and go out for sightseeing. Though the majority of the population is either Hindu or Buddhist, quite a few Christians organize special prayers in the churches. Airline tickets to this place are cheaper if booked in advance.
Costa Rica
If you wish to mix fun with purpose, plan a visit to Costa Rica. The place suits family visits. This is the place where the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean meet. With rainforests and empty beaches, restaurants bloom with tourists during any vacation. As far as Easter is concerned, people gather in the churches for prayers and discourses. They do believe in the return of Christ and pray for the same. Cheap flights are available from Heathrow to Costa Rica with Iberia or Continental airlines.
Egypt
Egypt has been a dream place for many. This might be due to its historic importance. The pyramids, mummies and treasures of Tutankhamen have been attractions for years. A cruise down the Nile River is a pleasant experience for nature lovers. A journey through the desert is unexplainable. Though not that prominent, there are Christians who observe Easter but not by holding huge carnivals or processions, they offer humble prayers in assemblies in churches. Massage therapy with Red Sea mud is very famous. Regular flights offering discounted fares are available from Heathrow Airport to Cairo with Egypt Airways or British Airways.
Plan your trip well in advance, many sites on the Internet offer affordable airline tickets and cheap hotel rates at different places throughout the world. Enjoy your vacation this Easter!
My Name is Joseph Lawsomier and I’m a freelance writer as well as a travel enthusiast. I love traveling the planet and sharing my experiences with the World Wide Web.