The Differing Styles of Easter Across Europe
Category : European Cities, European Hotel Deals, Historical Places, Seasonal Destinations, Unusual Destinations
There’s more to easter than chocolate eggs, especially if you decide to leave the UK for a week or two and travel to somewhere else in Europe. Easter is celebrated differently all over the continent, and the following three cities all have unique celebrations and events which you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

DSC04269 © by gthills

1. Seville, Spain

The Easter celebrations in Seville are known all over the world. Here, Easter is the most important time of the year, and the celebrations last for the entire Holy Week, or ‘Semana Santa’ as it is known locally.

The celebrations involve numerous processions of ‘pasos’, which are floats of sculptures created from wood and depicting scenes from the Passion. Members of different religious brotherhoods go on their own processions, dressed in striking robes and hoods, all heading towards the cathedral, and the spectacle attracts large crowds from far and wide.

There are about 60 processions in total, and the best take place on Holy Thursday, which is the day before Good Friday.

2. Florence, Italy

Florence is where the famous ‘Scoppio del Carro’ takes place, which translates roughly as the ‘explosion of the cart’.

You won’t find another Easter celebration quite like this one, and it has become a major spectacle in the city over the years.

It involves a huge decorated wagon being dragged by white oxen through the city all the way up to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore which is located in the city centre. Following the mass, the cart is then exploded, setting off a huge firework display.

As if this wasn’t enough, the explosion is followed up by a parade where the locals dress up in medieval clothing to provide one of the most exciting Easter celebrations you’ll find anywhere in Europe.

3. Nicosia, Cyprus

The Cypriots know how to throw a party, and if you head to the capital of Cyprus you’ll be able to take part in all manner of celebrations, most of which involve eating large quantities of food.

The fun starts weeks before Easter in the lead up to Lent, usually sometime in February. There is a carnival, dressing up in costumes and lots of festivities as the locals prepare for their lengthy fast.

The first week is focused on meat, where people essentially eat as much as they can, and then this is followed by a week focused on cheese. After this, the fasting begins until Easter arrives and the eating begins once again.

You’ll find plenty of tasty treats to eat here, including the square pastry ‘flaounes’ and the sweet ‘tsoureki’ which are typically eaten on Easter Day. Many people also enjoy a ‘souvla’ on Easter Day, which is a type of barbecue.

Do Something Different this Easter

If you want to escape the UK this Easter and enjoy something completely different then the above three cities could provide you with the perfect holiday. Not only will you be able to enjoy these fun celebrations, but you’ll also have a great holiday as they are all top locations at any time of the year.
Posted by: on February 12, 2012
Springtime Festivals Across Europe
Category : European Cities, European Hotel Deals, Historical Places, Romantic Destinations, Seasonal Destinations

Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to plan your trip to a European destination where fun and festivities await. But where to go? Well, if you’re looking for spring festivals then you have a huge choice of destinations. Here are five of the best spring festivals you will find across Europe.

more red tulips © by jetheriot

1. Nice Festival

The Nice Festival is one of the oldest in the world, with a history stretching back to the end of the 13th century. Head to the city during February and you’ll be able to enjoy a few weeks of festivities where thousands of dancers flock onto the streets and there is music, parades and lots of fun. The festival is based on different themes each year, and make sure you don’t miss the Battle of Flowers.

2. Venice Festival

Head to Venice for this 10-day festival in the lead up to Ash Wednesday and you will see the city in a completely different light. The people of Venice come out in force onto the streets, all dressed up in costumes, masks and wigs, and the atmosphere completely changes. St Mark’s Square is a good place to see the main events, and don’t miss out on the numerous shows and performances held throughout the festivities.

3. Fallas de Valencia, Spain

Millions of people visit Valencia each year to enjoy these festivities, making it one of the biggest festivals in Spain. It dates back many centuries when the lamps were ceremoniously burnt because they were not required as the length of the days increased with the end of winter. Now paper mache figures are created and displayed all over the city, and they are then burnt on the final night of the festival on St Joseph’s Day. Expect lots of firecrackers and some impressive firework displays.

4. Queen’s Day, Amsterdam

Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Amsterdam to celebrate the Queen’s birthday in April in a festival known locally as Koninginnedag. The first thing you will notice is that everything is orange. Orange food, clothes, drinks, banners – everything. There is plenty of partying and celebrating, making this an excellent time to visit the city.

5. Strong Beer Festival, Germany

The name says it all for this festival in Munich. It takes place in March for about two weeks, and as you can imagine, it involves lots and lots of beer. Known as Starkbierzeit in Germany, this is where the strongest beers are produced by breweries and huge parties are held in the beer halls across the city. Apparently the origin of the festival dates back to the 17th century when monks brewed a strong beer to help them through their period of fasting for Lent.

Enjoy Springtime in Europe

These festivals are some of the best that you will find anywhere across Europe during the spring. Spring is a time to celebrate the end of winter and the return of warm weather, and the above is just a selection of what is on offer across the continent. So get looking for some hotel deals in your chosen destination and enjoy welcoming in the spring in style.

Posted by: on February 01, 2012
Great Valentines Day Breaks in the UK
Category : Romantic Destinations, Seasonal Destinations, UK Cities, UK Hotel Deals
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get away and explore the wonderful romantic cities of the UK. Forget Paris and Venice: when it comes to romance we can do it just as well right here at home. Here are some of the most romantic cities in the UK to visit this Valentine’s Day.

Valentine rose © by Partha Sarathi Sahana

Bath

Bath is a city for strolling slowly arm in arm, so make sure you wrap up warm as it’s going to be pretty chilly in February. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site you can be assured that there is plenty of interest to keep you occupied as you walk around.

Are you both fans of literature? Why not follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen herself by taking a stroll around the peaceful Sydney Gardens. Or you can enjoy a circuit of the city by walking around the National Trust Skyline.

Once the walking is done, opt for something altogether grander with a trip in a horse drawn carriage, and then relax in the thermal bath spa during the afternoon.

Liverpool

Liverpool is the most romantic city in the UK – according to Google at least. The search giant examined the search data of a number of UK cities to find out where the most romantic people live, as described in this article in The Telegraph. By analysing such search strings as ‘chocolates’ and ‘romantic restaurants’, it was able to deduce that people from Liverpool are the most romantic of any UK city.

But is it really a romantic destination?

There are certainly a number of romantic activities to enjoy during a stay here this Valentine’s Day. One of the highlights is a cruise on the River Mersey, but you can also take some time to stroll slowly around the many museums and galleries that you’ll find here, including Tate Liverpool.

You could then top off the evening enjoying a concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to end the perfect romantic day.

Brighton

Brighton has its own unique charm, and if you are fans of wet and windy walks along the beach, fish and chips for lunch and fairground rides on the pier then you’ll have a wonderful time here.

Once you’ve done the beach and strolled around a few of the fine parks, head to The Lanes where you will find lots of cosy bars tucked away, and there are also plenty of romantic restaurants to end the evening in style.

If you’re staying for a bit longer and the weather holds up then head into the surrounding nearby countryside where you will find the South Downs right on your doorstep. And there are plenty of unique and welcoming hotels in which to enjoy your stay.

Durham

Durham is a very beautiful city which makes for the ideal romantic break for Valentine’s Day. The pleasant river bank is the perfect place to go for a gentle stroll, following which a trip to Durham University Botanic Gardens with its huge collection of tropical plants is another relaxing activity to wile away the afternoon.

Head further afield to explore the wild and rugged Durham Heritage Coast with its mighty cliffs and windswept beaches, and then head out for a drive on Durham’s very own Route 66 which stretches out across the Pennines.

But Durham really comes to its own at night, and when the sun has set and the cathedral and castle are lit up you’ll find yourself in the perfect romantic setting.

Enjoy a Romantic UK Break

This Valentine’s Day, if you want to do something special then you really don’t have to go too far. There are lots of fantastic romantic settings to enjoy right here in the UK, and there are plenty more besides the above four destinations. So get searching for your ideal hotel and enjoy a romantic city break this Valentine’s Day.
Posted by: on January 22, 2012