Easter holiday ideas in the UK and Europe

Summer is fast approaching so why not make the most of what’s on the UK’s doorstep this Easter, with holidays ranging from skiing in Andorra to soaking up the rays in Greece and puffin spotting in the Channel Islands. Here at Lotus we have put together some great Easter holiday ideas:

Easter skiing in Andorra’s high altitude resortsAndorra benefits from one of the longest ski seasons in Europe with its high altitude ski resorts, meaning that there is still plenty of snow during the Easter holidays.  Andorra’s ski area, Grandvalira, is the largest ski area in southern Europe’s and its Soldeu resort is an ideal base from which to explore it, with a gondola from the village to the top of the ski area. EasyJet holidays offers an Easter bargain seven-night package to Soldeu, priced from just £560 per person, staying at the four star Piolets Hotel on half board basis. The price is based on two people sharing, and includes return flights from London Gatwick to Barcelona, departing 12 April. www.Holidays.easyjet.com/ www.VisitAndorra.com

Experience Leonidio’s paper balloon Easter ritual, Greece Greece is known for its grand religious processions over Easter, but for a really authentic slice of Greek culture head to the small village of Leonidio, on the Greek mainland, about a three hour drive from Athens. Over the Easter period, Leonidio’s inhabitants celebrate with traditional religious rituals and an unusual century old balloon parade. For the six Friday’s in the run up to Easter the villager’s compete to make as many paper lantern balloons as possible and then on Easter Sunday night hundreds of illuminated balloons are released into the night sky to coincide with a spectacular fireworks display. Stay at Leonidio’s Byzantinon Hotel from £61 per night based on two sharing. Flights to Athens with EasyJet from London Gatwick cost from £210 per person. www.byzantinonhotel.gr/en/ www.easyjet.com/ www.visitgreece.gr

Last chance to see the Northern Lights in Finnish LaplandWith summer approaching, why not make the most of what’s left of the magical winter in Finnish Lapland with a three night trip to the Arctic wonderland. Discover the World offers a three night trip staying in rustic wooden log cabins in the Syote National Park on the southern Lapland border. From the cabins, guests can ski, husky-sledge or snowmobile through the fresh powder, get two hands on the wheel for ice-rally driving or try their hand at ice-fishing. Of course, in April, there is still a chance to see the northern lights so visitors must be sure to keep their eyes peeled. The trip costs from £705 per person, including return flights, airport transfers and half-board accommodation. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/ www.onlyinlapland.com

Kayaking puffin patrol, Herm, Channel Islands The small island of Herm, which lies just off the Guernsey coastline is a haven for puffins during the breeding season which starts in April due to it being car free and there being a ban on the public playing of music.  Over the Easter weekend, it is possible to go on ‘puffin patrols’ by kayak which is the best way to see the puffin nesting areas and feeding grounds unobtrusively. The kayaking trips are led by experts who know the movements of the puffins as well as the waters around Herm. Stay on Herm from 19-21 April and enjoy the fresh air on its white sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Two nights accommodation in a one bedroom cottage at the White House Hotel (http://herm.com/hotel/) costs £222 including breakfast and dinner. Flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey start from £129 return with Aurigny (www.aurigny.com) and Herm is just a short ferry ride from St. Peter Port in Guernsey with Trident Ferries. The kayaking trip costs £30 per adult, takes two hours and can be booked through www.outdoorguernsey.co.uk.  www.visitguernsey.com    

City break to GenoaThose looking for an alternative Italian city break this Easter can head to Genoa in Liguria. Despite being Italy’s sixth largest city, it is also one of its most elusive, meaning it has escaped the enormous price hikes of Rome, Venice and Florence. The city is full of historic charm with the largest medieval historic centre in Europe, made up of winding narrow streets or ‘caruggi’ and filled with sumptuous 16^th and 17^th century palaces. The city celebrates Easter very seriously with dedicated religious processions over the Easter weekend. Statues of Mary and Jesus are carried to and from churches while locals cover the streets in palm and olive branches. Cox and Kings is offering three night breaks to Genoa from £495 per person including accommodation, return flights and airport transfers. www.coxandkings.co.uk/ www.turismoinliguria.it  

Semana Santa in Seville, Spain Visit Seville this Easter, where ‘Semana Santa’ or ‘Holy Week’ celebrations will be in full swing and visitors are guaranteed to experience a truly authentic Spain. Semana Santa is celebrated all over Spain but some of the grandest processions take place in Andalucia, especially Seville. Crowds gather and carry life-sized figures from Seville’s churches to the cathedral to the raucous sounds of drums and music. Whilst in Seville, visitors can visit the gold-encrusted Alcazar Palace, Seville Cathedral, which is the third largest church in the world and wander the labyrinth of old Moorish streets. Kirker Holidays offers three night breaks to Seville from £398 per person including accommodation at the four star La Rabida, breakfast, return flights and private airport transfers. www.kirkerholidays.com/ www.spain.info

Luxury breaks for less with Small Luxury Hotels of the World Thanks to a selection of good value Easter packages from Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH), a decadent long weekend doesn’t have to break the bank. SLH hotel Vila Monte Country & Spa Hideaway in the Algarve is offering an Easter package that includes Easter lunch, an egg hunt for children, late check-out and tea on arrival. The package costs from £123 per person per night, requires a minimum two night stay and includes breakfast. Return flights from London to Faro over the Easter weekend start from £250 with Easyjet. www.slh.com/ www.easyjet.com