Travels Information

The Christian and Roman Catholic world commonly celebrates the day the Lord resurrected on Easter Sunday. The secular world may celebrate Easter Sunday as a day full of egg hunts, children’s activities, meals with family and friends, and a visit by the Easter Bunny. While these have nothing to do with the religious observance of the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, it’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in a beautiful garden filled with people that you love. This, however, isn’t what Easter is all about.

What exactly happens on Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday, as a religious celebration, is the day that Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days of death. The Catholic Church holds a special mass during Easter Sunday, and so does the Christian Church. In more traditional scenarios, merry-making and having fun between Maundy Thursday up until before Easter Sunday is not allowed, and so most celebrations (e.g. dinner with friends and family) happen on Easter Sunday itself, when the Lord has risen.

The secular world participates in Easter Sunday through various activities and shopping mall promotions. The Easter egg hunt also happens on this day, wherein children are given the chance to search for hidden eggs around a given area. Various prizes are offered during this egg hunt contest. Also as previously mentioned, the Easter Bunny makes its presence felt on this day as the harbinger of said Easter eggs.

If this is what happens on Easter Sunday, what happens then on an Easter Monday?

Just like Boxing Day, Easter Monday is a public holiday that immediately proceeds another holiday. It’s a time spent visiting friends and relatives, and is a time of rest from the activities done on Easter Sunday. The Catholic Church holds a “crucession” as well as a mass that is held specifically for Easter Monday. This mass is almost identical to the previous day’s service, aside from some minor changes in hymns. After the celebration of holy mass, citizens usually rest and spend time with loved ones.

Searching for more information on this UK holiday

If you’d like to know more about Easter Monday, there’s a wealth of information to be found on this Internet about it. A quick search on Google reveals many tidbits that one could use to help him or her understand more about this largely Catholics celebration in the UK, and would also give some insight on some of the secular activities that are involved during this day.

While it’s easy to dismiss Easter Monday as a UK holiday that does not hold much significance as the globally acknowledged Easter Sunday preceding it, it just goes to show that much worth is placed upon the Roman Catholic Holy Week in this part of the world. While other Catholic nations may have varying customs and traditions, celebrating Easter Monday and the entire Holy Week is an important religious event in the UK, and citizens are given the opportunity not only to observe the standards and practices of their religion during this time, but to give them a much needed break after it as well.

Article by Benedict Smythe
This article was brought to you by Springfields Army Stores, a leading supplier of camping equipment in the UK

A very prominent part of the European Society, the United Kingdom has always had an image of civility and propriety. A well-mannered people that to the eyes of many might seem to lead a life that is dreary and unexciting. Nevertheless, a closer look into the United Kingdom will quickly put these thoughts away, for we must not forget that the UK is the land of James Bond, Harry Potter and of course The BEATLES. In addition, a simple exploration into some well- loved holidays of this “Old World” culture will show you a United Kingdom that you may never have imagined. There are several known holidays in the United Kingdom; nevertheless there are three that are calling out to be recognized.

Was there ever a day that you wanted to burn a popular figure in society, and have people celebrate as you do it? Well, take a trip to the UK this November because this holiday was made just for you. First up in the list is, Bonfire Night, celebrated every fifth of November which commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder plot by some Catholics against the House of Parliament.

Guy Fawkes Night

One of the conspirators was Guy Fawkes and that is why others call this night Guy Fawkes Night. On this occasion, towns and villages all across the country celebrate by lighting fireworks and building bonfires where they burn “Guys” while feasting on toffee apples and baked potatoes. As every holiday progresses with the modern times, the “guy” that is burnt no longer just represents the Guy Fawkes of old but the more infamous names of modern society such as Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. So if you ever feel the need to take out some of your frustrations, hop on to the next plane to the UK and join in on the fun.

Notting Hill Carnival

Next stop is to streets of Notting Hill, London, where the Notting Hill Carnival is held annually on August. The carnival initially started of as an answer to help better racial relations and was first held indoors. However, due to its success, it was later moved to the streets and what began as a simple idea to stop racial riots has now become a full blown two-day carnival that has a whopping one million attendees each year.

The carnival is a great celebration of the multi-cultural diversity in London although it has a very strong Caribbean flavor. Some of the more popular events held here are the steel band competitions and the children’s day parades. So if its street parties that tickle your fancy, then Notting Hill on August, is the place to be.

St. Patrick’s Day

Last but not least, is the already famous St. Patrick’s Day which is celebrated every 17th of March. Despite the fact that it is now celebrated worldwide, nobody knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day better than the Irish themselves. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is now a five- day festival which is full of parades, feasting and of course lots of drinking.

Originally a religious holiday, it is now celebrated by non-Christians as well as an appreciation for the Irish culture. It truly is a holiday where people can eat, drink and be merry. So if you think you can drink like an Irishman, or even just want to try and drink like one, pack all your green outfits and head off to Ireland.

So the next time you think the people in the UK are dull or uninteresting, think again and start planning your next holiday season in the UK.

Article by Benedict Smythe
This article was brought to you by Springfields Army Stores, a leading supplier of camping equipment in the UK