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Blog 02/04/2020

Celebrating Easter: 8 traditions from around the world

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From an Easter crime phenomenon to Easter egg roll and a giant omelette baked with thousand of eggs and too many cooks you would think it would spoil. We share some of the weird and wonderful traditions that take place across the world for Easter, the Christian holiday which celebrates the end of a 40-day period of fasting from food and festivities. 
 
Which of these traditions would you love to try with your family?

Australia

The bunny is well-known animal associated with Easter celebrations and whilst Australians typically celebrate Easter like most other countries, they replace the Easter bunny for their native bilby which is an endangered species. This tradition came about in a bid to raise awareness and bilbies have become a symbol of Easter in Australia.

Discover the vast and unique wildlife with our Explore Australia’s Wild Side holiday, perfect for all the family.

France

From chocolate eggs to chicken eggs. In the town of Bessières, thousands of people gather on the morning of Easter Monday to cook a giant omelette usually with around 15,000 eggs and 40 cooks. For those celebrating at home, the whole family comes together to breaks eggs in their homes, sharing the omelette for lunch and maybe even dinner as well.

If this has inspired you to discover more French traditions and countryside, explore our Taste of France itinerary.

Norway

Nordic countries are known for their epic crime dramas which have garnered international appeal so this unexpected Easter tradition perhaps should have been more expected. In Norway, the nation immerses themselves into crime drama books, with longer than most, a five day Easter celebration that includes reading their favourite "Påskekrims" or page-turner, alongside their traditional Kvikk Lunsj chocolate.

If you’re drawn to the thrill of Norway, perhaps 48 hours in Bergen is one trip for your list.

USA

Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll event takes place on the grounds of the White House with families coming together on Easter Monday to enjoy games, live entertainment and story time. The public can enter a ballot for their chance to win a 'golden' ticket to attend the event which is organised by the First Lady. Each year the White House create commemorative eggs, for 2002 these come in spring colours of blue, pink, gold, green and yellow. Whilst this year’s event has been cancelled as results of the global pandemic, you can watch highlights from 2019’s White House Easter Egg Roll.

When visiting Washington, the home of the White House a stay at the Hay Adams is must. 

Hungary

Historically an Easter tradition in Hungary was to sprinkle girls and women with water as they used to believe in the cleaning and fertility benefits of water. Women and girls would dress up traditionally outfits and wait for the men and boys to come with a “sprinkle poem”, if this was well-received the man would then pour a bucket of water, usually cold so that they would scream. Today, this tradition has evolved to a sprinkle of perfume or cologne in the woman’s hair – a lot more pleasant we imagine. Whilst this tradition is less common in Hungary’s bigger cities, men are expected to still read a sprinkle poem to their female relatives.

If you’ve dreamed of visiting Hungary, discover the capital, Budapest with a stay at the Four Seasons Budapest.

UK

Celebrating Easter in the UK traditionally includes some themed games including egg decorating, egg and spoon races and the most-loved Easter Egg Hunt where chocolate eggs or bunnies are hidden around the home and garden, with whoever finds the most crowned the winner. Other traditions in the UK include the English folk dance that dates back to the Middle Ages, Morris dancing is where men dress up in costumes with bells and coloured ribbons and dance through the streets with small sticks which they clap along in tune. Originally this also included one of the dancers sticks to hold a pigs bladder, his job was to hit young women on the head as sign of good luck – thankfully this part of the tradition no longer continues today.

If an escape to the countryside is calling, we love Linthwaite House which is set atop a hill in the scenic town of Windemere, located in the Lake District National Park. 



Peru

Pascua is widely celebrated in Latin America with most of the population being catholic and celebrations lasting a week, from Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and ending on Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday). In Peru, Semana Santa (the Holy Week) sees the ancient Inca capital come alive with colour as hundreds dressed in vibrant fabrics fill the streets on Easter Monday to honour the city’s protector, Señor de los Temblores, a black Christ who is situated on Cusco Cathedral in Cusco. A figure of Christ is created for a procession where they replace his crown of thorns with a flower crown made of ñucchu, a peruvian red flower. Families all across the country create ñucchu flower crowns which are offered to the gods during the Easter ceremony.

The allure of Peru is hard to ignore, this two-week adventure in the amazon will see you experience the countries dazzling culture.

India

With a small percentage (just 2.3%) of India’s population being of Christian religion, the state of Goa is one of the best Easter destinations in India to celebrate as it was a Portugal colony in pre-Independent India. Festivities include street plays, dances and the tradition of baking Easter cakes to be shared amongst friends and family - and it wouldn’t be an Indian holiday without colour, and lots of it. Brightly coloured lanterns are exchanged during Easter as well as the Holy Cross.

Inspired by the vibrant charm of India, our Golden Triangle trip encompasses the very best the country.