Half term is over and the next school break we have to look forward to is the Easter Holidays. I love Spring Break as the weather starts to get nicer, we get at least two weeks off and once the summer term is over we’re on the home run to the Summer Holidays. If you can’t wait until the Summer to get away in the sun have you considered an Easter holiday overseas? Here are five reasons why it’s a great idea to spend Easter abroad:
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Easter is a Longer Holiday (than half term)
Going on a holiday during half term sounds like a good idea but it can often mean straight out of work you’re off on your travels and as soon as you return, you’re straight back to work again. You can end up feeling more exhausted than before going on holiday. By choosing to holiday abroad during the Easter holidays you can give yourself a couple of days before and after your holiday and still enjoy a 7 night or 10 night break. Of course, if you’re not bothered about having the downtime you can treat yourself to a fortnight’s Easter holiday- egg-scellent (sorry!)!
2. Save Money
While it will never be as cheap as a term time holiday, Easter breaks are comparatively cheaper compared to peak Summer Holiday packages. You can get some great offers on camping holidays in France during the Easter Holidays. Don’t forget to look out for last minute deals!
3. It will be Hot but Not Too Hot
Sometimes hot climates can be, well too hot for us Brits during the summer months. Choosing to travel during the Spring months means the weather is warmer than at home but more manageable for young children (or the elderly) to cope with. It also means that more active families can enjoy more activities, such as sports and sightseeing. When it’s too hot we find ourselves restricted to cooling in the pool and having siestas which is fine too!
4. Celebrate Easter in France
Easter is a big celebration in France and it can be lots of fun to join in the celebrations. In different regions they celebrate in different ways but here are some examples of the ways they celebrate Easter in France:
Flying Bells: Although the Easter Bunny does exist in France, traditionally it is the cloches volantes, or “flying bells” that bring the treats for the children. French Catholic tradition says that on Good Friday all church bells in France sprout wings and fly down to the Vatican to be blessed by the Pope. So no church bells ring between Friday and Easter Sunday morning, to commemorate the death of Jesus (and because they’re all in Rome, obviously). The bells return to France laden with goodies for well-behaved children — namely chocolate eggs. And then during the church services of Easter Sunday, the bells go crazy once again in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
Giant Omlettes: In Bessières in southwestern France, every year on Easter Monday, around 10,000 people gather to make a giant omelette, made with 15,000 fresh eggs, a four-meter pan, 40 cooks, and extra long sticks. This tradition is in recognition of when Napoleon Bonaparte and his army once spent the night near the town. After eating (and enjoying) an omelette made by a local innkeeper, Napoleon ordered the townspeople to gather all the eggs in the village to make a gigantic omelette for his army to eat the next day.
Egg Battles: An old Easter custom in France is to hold an egg-rolling competition, in which raw eggs are rolled down a gentle slope. The surviving egg is dubbed the “victory egg”, symbolising the stone being rolled away from the tomb of Christ.
Easter Egg Hunts (Chasse aux Oeufs): Like in the UK and many other Christian countries, in France they hunt for eggs on Easter Sunday, but some lucky little ones get to hunt for their treats in the gardens of a French castle. One of the most famous chasses aux oeufs in France takes place at the Chateaux Vaux le Vicomte near Paris.
Alsation Easter Markets: In the eastern region of Alsace, they take Easter celebrations very seriously with lively beautifully decorated Easter markets and events. It’s an unforgettable experience.
Just remember thought that while Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are public holidays in France, Good Friday is not (apart from in Alsace as when they returned back to French rule they refused to give up this tradition from their time under German rule).
5. Family Time
Okay, so this reason applies all year around. School holidays are important for quality family time. While a stay- cation can be fun so often at least one of the parents keeps working and we often find there are too many distractions, such as housework and DIY that can eat into the family time. When you enjoy a holiday abroad together, it’s refreshing to just enjoy each others company without the usual household chores and school and work getting in the way. Being in the sun just seems to make everyone happier!
We’ve never been abroad at Easter but I might consider it next year x
Author
We did two years ago. I wish we were again this year! (Sadly not!) x
Im loving the idea of France this easter – sounds great fun
What a fabulous family photo! You’ve got me dreaming about early breaks.
I sometimes spend more on days out and transport during school holidays at home than I would on the cost of taking a break abroad.
I have never been abroad, we would like to take our children in a year or two when our youngest is older, these are great reasons to choose to go in the easter holidays xx