Where to go over Easter weekend in Europe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Normally I'd recommend Greece or another Orthodox county, but this year Western and Orthodox Easter fall on the same date. Maybe a weekend in Istanbul?

I was in Athens once on Good Friday and everything closed down early, from drug stores to restaurants, so I would recommend avoiding Greece. I assume they were closed through the weekend, although I flew home the following day.

[Anonymous]

We’re going to be in Paris and while I think I’ll avoid Notre Dame that weekend, the general consensus is that everything else is open.

[Anonymous]

if the Pope dies no clue how Jubilee will be handled, but dude, Italy is huge. Just don't go to Rome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberammergau? I'd look into whether or not they are having the passion play while you are there.

I have always wanted to see this.

[Anonymous]

Italy is going to be a nightmare this year.

I think Paris in the springtime is lovely- I might go there, although I wouldnt expect much in the way of "traditional celebration of Christianity" if that's what your daughter is after

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if the Pope dies no clue how Jubilee will be handled, but dude, Italy is huge. Just don't go to Rome

Italy is a huge but it's also the largest tourist destination in the world. The last time I made the mistake of visiting Rome during tourist season was in summer 2023 and it was such a nightmare- SO overrun. Italy is an amazing place to go off season but if you go during peak tourist time it can be hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the Pope dies no clue how Jubilee will be handled, but dude, Italy is huge. Just don't go to Rome

Italy is a huge but it's also the largest tourist destination in the world. The last time I made the mistake of visiting Rome during tourist season was in summer 2023 and it was such a nightmare- SO overrun. Italy is an amazing place to go off season but if you go during peak tourist time it can be hell.

I was in Naples last Easter weekend and it was perfectly fine. Just don't go to the mega tourist places. sheesh. Poster wants a place open in Easter- Italy is the best option if you steer clear of the mainstream options. Vienna will be boring as hell that wknd (trust me I live here) All of Austria is closed Sunday and Monday- it is terribly boring.

[Anonymous]

The Netherlands. very secular so everything will be open, plus it's peak tulip viewing season. Going on easter weekend itself may also mean crowds are less than they would be any other part of tulip season. I went for easter in 2019 and it was beautiful. It's certainly not summer weather, but it's very pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Normally I'd recommend Greece or another Orthodox county, but this year Western and Orthodox Easter fall on the same date. Maybe a weekend in Istanbul?

This.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We just booked Istanbul for 5 days... day before Holy Thursday until Easter Monday

[Anonymous]

We flew out of Paris the early morning of Easter Sunday last year. Friday and Saturday I didn’t notice any closures, though Easter itself probably would be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the Pope dies no clue how Jubilee will be handled, but dude, Italy is huge. Just don't go to Rome

Italy is a huge but it's also the largest tourist destination in the world. The last time I made the mistake of visiting Rome during tourist season was in summer 2023 and it was such a nightmare- SO overrun. Italy is an amazing place to go off season but if you go during peak tourist time it can be hell.

I was in Naples last Easter weekend and it was perfectly fine. Just don't go to the mega tourist places. sheesh. Poster wants a place open in Easter- Italy is the best option if you steer clear of the mainstream options. Vienna will be boring as hell that wknd (trust me I live here) All of Austria is closed Sunday and Monday- it is terribly boring.

Why would Italy be the best option? I live in Germany but I dont plan on going to Italy this Jubilee at all unless you stay so far out of the tourist areas that youre sticking to small, rural towns where there's barely anything to do. Italy during the summer in ANY touristy place (the places most Americans want to go, whether that's Rome, the Amalfi coast, Florence, etc) is an absolute nightmare. Why go there when so many other countries are available, like France or Spain for example where you'll still get to see lots of sights without any Jubilee/tourist season madness?

[Anonymous]

Ooof good luck in Istanbul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Italy strangely keeps things open. We went to Naples last year and had a blast. Of course not everything was open, but will be way nicer than Vienna (I live there)

Italy has this almost party vibe about Easter. "Jesus is risen, let's celebrate in public!" Every other place I've been to in Europe during Easter is much more solemn and quiet.

This.

Very catholic countries have a celebratory vibe. You’ll be fine in Italy.

Plus, the most touristy areas always have shops and restaurants open, and the cool thing about Italy is that you can just walk around and enjoy the architecture, etc. Popping into churches is easy and each one is gorgeous. All the churches in Rome were free; they charge a fee in Florence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the Pope dies no clue how Jubilee will be handled, but dude, Italy is huge. Just don't go to Rome

Italy is a huge but it's also the largest tourist destination in the world. The last time I made the mistake of visiting Rome during tourist season was in summer 2023 and it was such a nightmare- SO overrun. Italy is an amazing place to go off season but if you go during peak tourist time it can be hell.

I was in Naples last Easter weekend and it was perfectly fine. Just don't go to the mega tourist places. sheesh. Poster wants a place open in Easter- Italy is the best option if you steer clear of the mainstream options. Vienna will be boring as hell that wknd (trust me I live here) All of Austria is closed Sunday and Monday- it is terribly boring.

Why would Italy be the best option? I live in Germany but I dont plan on going to Italy this Jubilee at all unless you stay so far out of the tourist areas that youre sticking to small, rural towns where there's barely anything to do. Italy during the summer in ANY touristy place (the places most Americans want to go, whether that's Rome, the Amalfi coast, Florence, etc) is an absolute nightmare. Why go there when so many other countries are available, like France or Spain for example where you'll still get to see lots of sights without any Jubilee/tourist season madness?

Can you not read? Why are you talking about summer when the poster is asking about Easter?