Celebrating the Easter holidays is a big deal in most European countries. It is a calendar holiday with people traveling to see their loved ones and reconnecting with family. Visitors from other parts of the world also make their way to the continent to experience Easter in Europe. Fortunately, Europe has several holiday destinations perfect and are worth checking out. Here are some of the best destinations in Europe to visit during Easter.
Celebrate Easter in Italy
In Italy, Easter (Pasqua in Italian) is an important holiday of the year which is celebrated across the country. Being the home of the Vatican, Easter is recognized by the Catholic Church which holds the religious holiday in high esteem.
It is common to find churches full during the holiday with most people taking time to go back to their religious roots. If you are not the church-going type, you can spend time at the Trevi Fountain or Spanish steps and take photos for memories.
Since Easter is at the start of the warm season, visitors have a chance to engage in lots of outdoor activities. During the festive holiday, some religious parades and processions take place in Rome as part of Easter traditions. The processions involve statues of Jesus or Mary, his mother being carried along the streets. Most times the processions have large crowds following them to the final destination.
Modern celebrations of Easter also involve eggs which are a symbol of resurrection or rebirth. Those taking part in the celebrations can paint, eat or even roll them down a hill as part of traditions. Plenty of eggs are also used in Easter dishes in Italy to celebrate life, fertility, and renewal. Chocolate candy that looks like eggs is also a tasty dessert after enjoying Easter dinner.
While winding up your holiday, you can shop at the many world-class stores in Rome and even Milan. Most shops are open are ready to serve visitors spending their Easter in Europe.
Spend Easter in Europe, Spain
Semanta Santa, which means Holy Week is what locals refer to as Easter in Spain. The holiday is important in the country and is characterized by solemn festivities with people fully immersed in the activities to celebrate the holiday.
Each part of Spain has its unique traditions and processions that display its religious commitment. Nevertheless, the country is still known for its lively fiestas which are open to visitors during the Easter holiday.
Easter traditions are an integral part of celebrations in Spain, with a different part of the country celebrating the best way they know. Andalusia in the southern part of the country has some of the most spectacular celebrations during Easter. Visitors spend their week in Andalusia joining extravagant processions full of color and art displaying the regions’ religious fervor.
The sunny weather in Andalusia also makes taking part in the processions and visiting various landmarks like Royal Alcazar of Seville. The cities of Seville and Malaga also hold colorful parades with intricate displays of biblical and religious scenes.
Like everywhere in the world, spending time with family is important for Spaniards during Easter. Family lunches or dinners include a wide variety of meals with dishes such as garlic soup (sopa de ajo), Spanish French toast (Torrijas), and seafood dishes. The garlic soup is usually served with cakes shaped like rings with an egg baked in its center which is common in local food shops.
Although chocolate and bunnies are eaten during Easter in Spain, the locals prefer traditional treats. The treats include doughnut balls (Bueñuelos), and crunchy fritters (pestiños) which are popular sweets during Easter. When visiting, Valencia or Catalonia, tourists can sample the famous traditional Easter cake, (Mona de Pascua), which has an egg in the middle or at the modern version with chicks on top.
Malta – Perfect Easter Destination
Easter in Malta is magical and one of the best times to visit the island. The islanders traditionally celebrate the religious holiday with elaborate festivals and processions. Whether you are religious or not, you will enjoy the traditions celebrated throughout the Maltese island during Easter.
In most parts of the world, Easter is associated with the Christian religion and it’s no different in Malta. Most churches are decorated that are worth checking out while attending a service. Most decorations include flowers, candles, and palm leaves.
Processions are also common and attract thousands of locals and visitors looking to enjoy an intriguing experience. For the best Easter processions in Malta, make your way to Gozo, Valletta, and Zebbug. On Easter Sunday, visit Birgu where men run with the statue up a hill as part of Easter traditions and is a great sight to behold.
Easter Sunday celebrations in Malta are synonymous with food, usually family and friends coming together to make merry. Popular dishes include a lamb served with garlic, rosemary, roast potatoes, and roasted onions. Hot cross buns with piping hot butter are also served as part of lunch or dinner.
If you have a sweet tooth, you must try Figolla, a tasty treat in form of almond filled biscuit with delicious icing sugar. The sweet which resembles Easter symbols such as fish, heart, or lamb are popular in Malta. Children are given Easter eggs coated in chocolate as part of the holiday tradition. After eating a satisfying meal, you can join locals on the streets and listen to Maltese traditional music.
Enjoy Traditional Easter in Romania
Romania is an excellent choice when planning to spend Easter in Europe. The largely Christian country celebrates the holiday with locals attending church services on Easter night. Most churches are full of attendees with some sitting outside while following the service. The priest lights up candles and then everyone in the congregation goes home with a lit candle as a blessing for their homes.
Easter traditions in Romania are many with a majority of locals embracing them with their families. Some of the popular traditions include Florii (Palm Sunday) when flowers are taken to church to be blessed and then placed on doors for protection from evil spirits.
Painting of eggs is also an annual tradition whereby boiled eggs are painted red or boiled in beetroot, with the red symbolizing Christ’s blood. However, in modern times, the use of other colors on the eggs is allowed. Besides color, eggs can also be hand-painted with geometric shapes and adorned with beads for a beautiful finish. Taking part in the painting or beading of the eggs is a fun way to get involved with the locals when spending Easter in Romania.
Family get-togethers are at the heart of a Romanian Easter celebration. Traditional lamb dishes are the main meal on the menu accompanied by pie, soup, or steak. These meals are also served in many of the local restaurants giving tourists a chance to sample the dishes. Another popular dish to try out is Pasca, a dessert with a large cross on the top enriched with raisins and cottage cheese.
Overall, Easter in Europe is one of the best ways to discover a new country and experience its traditions while making unforgettable memories!