Chocolate, bunnies and egg painting – the Easter holidays are nearly upon us. This colourful religious festival is celebrated across the world with everything from egg hunts to church services and, most importantly, time spent with family. To help you and your loved ones enjoy a fun escape away, check out our top last minute Easter breaks in Europe.
City Break in Paris
From our Dover to Calais ferry crossing, it’s only a hop skip and a jump to the French capital of Paris. Perfect for Easter family breaks, this city is home to every child’s dream destination, Disneyland.
Enjoy exploring this fairy-tale paradise, riding the famous roller coasters and watching the thrilling night-time show where fireworks and lasers illuminate the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Alternatively, participate in the city-wide Easter egg hunts in Paris’ many parks and take home some gourmet chocolate for an enchanting trip your kids will never forget.
Skiing in Chamonix
There’s a common misconception that snowfall is far from certain in the French Alps around Easter, but typically there’s a fantastic level of coverage during this time with the season usually ending in late April. The charming resort of Chamonix in particular has plenty of pistes over 2000m, so Easter ski holidays in late March usually offer excellent conditions, making it one of the most active Easter breaks in Europe.
Experience the delights of sunny powder skiing across this resort’s array of exciting runs, with a good chance of a great bargain on a late season deal.
Seaside Resort Ostend
Just over an hour’s drive from the port of Calais, the coastal city of Ostend boasts over five-and-a-half miles of gorgeous sandy beaches. On Easter Monday, it plays host to the vibrant SpringTij Ostend Festival, where you can enjoy a wide variety of activities tailored to families including chocolate painting, art fairs, treasure hunts and creative workshops.
For culture, head to the Mu.ZEE art museum to see work by the famous Ostend resident James Ensor, or simply indulge in some retail therapy with a visit to the Groentenmarkt open air market on either Thursday or Saturday morning.
Amsterdam City Break
The capital of the Netherlands is always a great option for European city breaks. Explore Amsterdam‘s world-famous Rijksmuseum for a glimpse into Dutch culture, get cosy in one of the traditional brown cafes where you can sample local delicacies like deep fried bitterballen, a breadcrumb coated ball of tasty meat ragu, or enjoy a scenic cycle ride to the Zaanse Schans windmills located just 15 minutes outside the city.
Late March is also when the internationally renowned Keukenhof Gardens officially open, a celebration of the country’s spectacular tulip-growing culture. Under an hour from Amsterdam, visitors can wander through a magical, fragrant landscape of endless tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
If you feel inspired to head off on one of these last minute Easter breaks in Europe, book your ferry crossing today and start planning your egg-citing trip!
