Easter is a magical time around the globe with Collette offering guests a chance to experience the culture of Easter across the oceans.
The colourful traditions of Orthodox Easter can be enjoyed in Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle. Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations usually take place one week after the Eastern Christian Easter as the Greek Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar.
Easter is the ideal time for following in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle from Athens to Kusadasi to Delphi where he practised his ministry and wrote numerous epistles. Here visitors can feast on traditional Easter dishes such as spit-roasted lamb to honour Jesus’ crucifixion and sacrifice.
Other dishes typically eaten during this time include magaritsa, a soup made from lamb organs; an Easter bread called ‘tsoureki’ and special Easter cookies named koulouria. Chocolate Easter eggs are replaced with blood-red dyed eggs, with the red symbolising the blood of Christ.
Easter markets also provide a great opportunity to discover local traditions and crafts in Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria. With many Easter markets dotted around these countries, there is a myriad to choose from but one of the best is the Innsbruck Easter market.
Bern’s fascinating heritage can be seen in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town. Guests can try their hand at the Swiss Easter tradition of decorating eggs and take part in the traditional game of ‘Zwanzgerle’. Children challenge adults to break their eggs with a twenty-cent coin. If the adults aren’t successful, the children win the twenty-cent coin and keep the egg.
For those who can’t make it in time for this Easter, now is the time to be thinking about Easter next year. Another option is Collette’s tour to the heart of pilgrimages in Europe which goes to France, Portugal and Spain on selected dates this year and in 2021 and includes a visit to the legendary Santiago de Compostela, the centuries-old departure point for pilgrims setting out on their journeys. Pilgrimage-to-Portugal-Spain-France includes the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Cathedral of Burgos, Lourdes, Fatima and Barcelona.
Prices for the tours range from $2,499 to $3,017 for April 2020. With Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle included in the up to 15% off sale on select tours held by Collette from the 9th March to the 22nd April.
For details of the full tours or to book a trip:
Contact your local travel agent and ask for Collette! Call Collette on 1300 792 195 or visit www.gocollette.com.au
SOURCE: Collette
