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

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

Stonehenge

A vacation in England is just incomplete without visiting Stonehenge. Upon getting to the County of Wilshire, you will be captivated by the lush green environment, which is a breath of fresh air (figuratively and literally) from the constant noise and busy streets of the city. Some people may wonder why you’d want to travel a couple of hours from London just to see Stonehenge, but it really is more than just a pile of rocks.

It has fascinated archeologist all over the world, because they have been standing there in a circular formation for the longest time. The puzzling thing is how ancient tribesmen got these large, heavy rocks there because these particular stones can be found at a remote location from Wilshire. They have also, for the longest time, been trying to figure out what this monument was used for.

Its position made some experts believe that it was used as a cosmic clock, because of the relation of its position with the Sun and The Moon. More recent evidence has led experts to believe that the area surrounding it was a burial site, and that Stonehenge was used by druids as a place for ancient burial rituals.

Windsor Castle

Whether we’ve heard about them in fairy tales or history books, castles are striking images of power and beauty. In a lot of people’s lives, there comes a point where they’d like to live in one. Though the probability of you living in Windsor Castle goes from slim to none, you can take a tour in this captivating man made marvel. It is one of the places that the British monarch stays from time to time, and it has been standing since the time of William the Conqueror. Since that time, it has gone through a few changes depending on the taste of the ruling monarch of the time. Upon arriving in Windsor, the sight of the castle itself can be mind blowing and what more when you start the tour.

The City of London

If you are quite the night owl, then London is an ideal place to go to. With its numerous pubs, there are little chances that you don’t have anywhere to go to during the evening. In their pubs you will find a mix of locals and tourists enjoying a lager or cider. During the day, there also are a lot of places that you can go to and fill your camera memory with. One of the most famous images of London is the Clock Tower. The common misconception is that some people think that this tower is Big Ben, but the fact is that Big Ben is actually the bell inside the Clock Tower.

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

Holiday in England

A country within the United Kingdom that definitely can’t be brushed aside is England. Here, you’d be able to visit the city of London where marvels of architecture simply surround you. Imagine traveling around the city with their classic double-deck bus, and seeing structures such as the British Parliament, the London Eye, Tower of London, and the Clock Tower.

You may also opt to visit Windsor Castle. It is one of the residences of the British Monarch, and it’s been standing since the time of William the Conqueror. There, you’d be able to take a tour of this large castle.

Another great place that you could visit is the Roman Baths. It is located in the City of Bath, and is a great exhibit of Roman superiority in architecture and technology during their time. There you will see technology that is still in use today such as plumbing, water pipes, and heat conducting. The Romans have been known to be very conscious about cleanliness, and this is solid manifestation of it. If you are planning your U.K. holidays, then the Roman Baths simply cannot be crossed out of the list.

Holiday in Scotland

Other than bagpipes, a cool accent, and men in skirts (known as kilts), there are a lot more things that Scotland has to offer. One of the better-known festivals in the world is the Edinburgh Festival. It is one of the world’s largest arts festivals, and happens during the month of August. It’s actually a collection of different festivals that all happen during the month of August. You’ll also find one of the residences of the British monarch in Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth II usually spends time in Holyrood Palace at around the beginning of summer. Edinburgh is also one of Europe’s financial centers.

Holiday in Northern Ireland

Although Northern Ireland has gone through much turmoil, it is still a great place of tranquility. Running through the green fields of Ireland give you that man-and-nature sort of feeling and it’s an ideal atmosphere to sit back and relax. After all, a vacation is mostly about relaxation and getting rest from the constant whipping of the corporate world.

Holiday in Wales

If suave, sophisticated Victorian architecture is your thing, then a visit to Cardiff would be a very tempting place to go to. There are a number of Castles and Parks that you may go to, as well as a very lively and vibrant night life. Cardiff is also known for their affinity towards rugby, and if you are into the sports, then you’ll find a lot of locals that share your interest.

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

What happens during St. Patrick’s Day?

Pop culture generally designates St. Patrick’s Day as a UK holiday where people wear green, go to parades and get drunk. Although it’s a great way to celebrate all things Irish (they really do have high tolerances for alcohol, however), it must be said that one should be able to move past the pints and lagers. St. Patrick’s Day really is a celebration of the Irish culture as a whole.

In observance of said holiday, people are encouraged to have Irish meals cooked in the tradition of Ireland. Shows and documentaries about Ireland are presented on television and there are many public gatherings that one could partake of should one feel the need to indulge in a bit of street partying. Of course it would be difficult to put the beer and other Irish drinks on the wayside, but these are merely items to augment the commemoration of the Irish spirit.

What about other parts of the world on St. Patrick’s Day?

Nations that don’t observe St. Patrick’s Day as a national or public holiday also observe some form of Irish merry-making. The United States, for one, sees St. Patrick’s Day as an excellent opportunity for friends and family to gather for a few rounds of beer and some excellent Irish food. The US also has many gimmicks up its sleeves when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, such as ejecting a green dye to the Chicago river to turn it Irish green! Children in elementary school are also encouraged to come in green clothing in observance of St. Patrick’s Day. New York holds the world’s most prominent St. Patrick’s Day parade on 5th Avenue where various floats, musicians and street performers join in on the festivities to the delight of millions of onlookers.

Germany celebrates St. Patrick’s Day because of the rather large Irish community there. Although it used to consist of large tents with plenty of beer, drinks and food, Germany also has one of the largest street parades in the world, averaging a length of 2km with floats and musical performances that go way on to the wee hours of the morning.

While St. Patrick’s Day may seem like any other holiday which citizens use as an excuse to imbibe alcoholic beverages and party like it’s the weekend all over again, all it takes is a sincere look towards the Irish observance of the holiday to remember what St. Patrick’s Day really is all about: a non-secular celebration of a people’s patron saint, and the observance of respect and praise for such a holy individual.

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

One of these seemingly mysterious holidays is known as Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen’s Day. Considered to fall upon the 26th of December (or the nearest weekday should Christmas day fall upon a weekend), Boxing Day is one of those UK holidays that many people just don’t seem to understand at face value.

What exactly is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a public holiday that, historically, was meant to be for employees and citizens of a lower social class. In olden times, a box made out of clay was played in shops where people visiting them would put in their coins. Come the day after Christmas, this “Christmas box” would then be broken to retrieve all the money that’s inside, just like a modern day ceramic piggy bank. Whatever’s inside is split amongst all the workers for them to take home as an augmentation to their month’s salary (something like a Christmas bonus).

There are many variations to the tradition of Boxing Day across Europe, but the common denominator is that this holiday was meant to give workers and servants some time for rest and relaxation after a busy holiday season. This usually meant giving these individuals the day off as well as some form of monetary compensation (or in some cases, giving them a “box” of whatever leftover food remained from the previous day’s festivities).

Boxing Day in the 21st century

In these days that social classes are no longer the norm and there is no more delineation between servant and free, Boxing Day is a national holiday where people of the UK and the commonwealth get a day off to rest from the merry making brought upon them by the greatest day in the year. Countries around the world may celebrate Boxing day as well, leading to a variety of post holiday cheer activity the world over.

Australians celebrate Boxing Day much like the Americans celebrate the Friday after Thanksgiving: there are tons of sales happening around the country, huge discounts and clearance items where both young and old alike get to spend whatever Christmas cash they received. Christmas shopping is definitely the grand worldwide tradition, but post-Christmas shopping has its place in the sun as well!

In the UK and in some other parts of the world, Boxing Day becomes a fantastic opportunity for being active in sports and even just watching. Various cricket, football, rugby and boxing matches are held on this day, as well as a series of horse races that’s sure to attract high rollers who just can’t get enough holiday cheer.

The next time you come across the words Boxing Day, don’t think about it as a glorious day for fisticuffs: it’s a tradition that has spanned many centuries, and is even probably as old as Christmas itself!

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

It is known as a place of class and sophistication, but it also is mixed with nights of partying and fun-filled action. There are a number of places you can visit such as London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. From the busy streets of London, to the lush greens of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom really caters to different tastes and needs.

In today’s society, most of us have to spend countless hours at work, or sleepless nights studying for that critical exam. Because vacations come every once in a while, it is important that we make the most out of it. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your long awaited trip to the U.K.

Research

Reading up a bit on a community’s history would help you better appreciate the festivals and the sights. You’d know why certain buildings were constructed, and some of the stories that surround it. You might also learn about certain festivals and events that are not as known, but cater to your taste.

Get a tour guide

Whether you decide to join a tour group, or know a local of a particular area, this would definitely be a plus because they would be able to show and explain a lot of things that are not told in book. If you have a friend that lives in, let’s say London, then he or she would be able to show you the hotspots that locals go to. This way, you’d be able to immerse yourself in their culture, and experience how it is in London.

Make an Itinerary

There are people that are hesitant to create a travel itinerary because they’d like to believe that they are spontaneous. The thing is, you don’t get to make the most out of your trip because you might miss a few places because of ill-managed time. Just because you have an itinerary, doesn’t mean that you have to follow it to the dot (except when it comes to flight schedules). This would merely serve as your guide and you’d be able to adjust it as you go along with your trip. Going to a museum, but you see a nice park? Then go ahead and wander. It’s a matter of shaping your itinerary to how you feel.

Check travel advisories

It’s always good to keep yourself prepared and check travel advisories every once in a while. They could tell you about certain things that are happening in a certain place such as the weather, financial situation, and political unrest (though this last one is unlikely in the United Kingdom). From there you’d be able to know what clothes to bring (jacket, slippers, etc), or whether traveling is risky at the moment.

There are a lot of other things that you could consider when traveling to the U.K. these are just some tips that could help you start your vacation with a bang.

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

Preparing for the trip

While some people have an affinity towards spontaneous travel, some of us would like a well-planned vacation. This is especially true if you have been working so much and you’ve only had a shot at a vacation for the first time in years. If this is the case, then you’d probably want to be prepared and make the most out of it.

Fix your schedule- knowing how long your vacation is crucial - the date when it starts and ends. This is the factor that you’d be able to base your whole itinerary on. You’d be able to check the dates of festivals and events that fall within the span of your vacation. Also take into account the travel time, opening and closing of establishments (museums, clubs, restaurants etc.). Having an itinerary doesn’t mean that you have to follow it to the dot. It best serves as a guideline rather than a book of law. This way, you have a good idea how to move about.

Read up- Reading up on a place’s history helps you better appreciate it once you are there. Stonehenge may seem like a pile of rocks for some, but what they may not know is that it is a mystery that is yet to be solved. Research also allows you to know about certain etiquette that you’d have to exercise when you’re in a particular country. Some gestures that are fine where you stay could be offensive in another. After all, you wouldn’t want to pick a fight in a foreign land.

London anyone?

U.K. holidays just aren’t complete without visiting the city of London. With all of its double-deck buses, British Bobbies, and red telephone booths, London is quite the experience especially if you haven’t been there yet. During the day, you may visit its historical landmarks such as the Tower of London, British Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. If you’d like a brief history of London and have a bit of a scare at the same time, visiting the London Dungeon would be an ideal activity. The fun doesn’t stop when the Sun goes down; there are a lot of pubs and clubs that you may choose to go to. You’ll see a collection of fun locals and tourists out to have a pleasant evening.

There are so many other places that you can visit during your U.K. holidays. You could practically take out a map of the United Kingdom, randomly point at any location, and still find a fun filled activity in that area. Places such as Cardiff, Edinburgh, Northern Ireland, and the city of Bath are all vacation-worthy spots that would give you your money’s worth.

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

Hello England!

England is a must if you are to spend your holidays in the United Kingdom. It is a country rich in culture and fine architecture. With historical landmarks such as the Roman Baths, Stonehenge, the Clock Tower, British Parliament, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, it seems as if you’d have to set aside an entire digi cam memory card for England itself. Here, you’d also get to experience the stoic guards at Buckingham Palace that won’t seem to move no matter what you do (as long as you don’t touch them). If you are quite a night owl, London has a lot of pubs where tourists and locals alike would hang out (lager or cider?).

The Edinburgh Festival

If ever your U.K. holidays were to fall under the month of August, then it would be a big mistake to miss one of the world’s most happening festivals. It holds the record of being the world’s largest arts festivals. The term Edinburgh festival is actually a collection of a number of festivals that take place in August at the same place. It all started at around 1947 during the end of the Second World War. A festival was organized to boost morale after such a depressing event, and several other theatrical organizations set up their own festivals as well.

Cardiff, Wales

If it’s fine Victorian architecture you are looking for, one of the ideal places to go to would be Cardiff. The castles and parks of this place are simply captivating, at it may seem like it was taken from out of a fairy tale. Cardiff is also known for sports as well. One of the most popular sports there is the physical game of Rugby. It has also been home to the “World Pool Championships”, where a collection of 9-ball superstars takes place (the venue only started to change in 2004). So whether you are into sweaty sports or culture, you will be able to find something that would suit your tastes in the relatively small town of Cardiff.

So if you are planning you’re U.K. holidays, those are just a few of the sights and activities that would fill your vacation with glee. There’s a lot more culturally stimulating and fun-filled things to do if you were to go to the United Kingdom. Just remember to be prepared and read a lot about U.K. so that you get much out of your vacation and better appreciate the things you will see.

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

We’re going to London!

No trip to England can be complete without a visit to its capital, London. There are countless things to see and mostly are marvels of architecture. One of the landmarks that people often associate with London is the Clock Tower. This is the tower that a lot of people think is the Big Ben. The truth is that Big Ben is actually the bell inside of the Clock Tower. Other man made marvels located here are structures such as The London Eye, British Parliament, The Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Aside from the architecture, London is also rich in culture. One of the attractions tourist flock to see is the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. The guards that are on duty are relieved of their post by another batch of sentries, done by a well-choreographed ceremony. This usually starts at around 11am, so if you are used to waking up after lunch, then maybe you’d like to adjust that body clock a little bit.

Stonehenge

Without any idea of it whatsoever, Stonehenge may seem like a boring pile of rubble. The thing is that tribesmen have laid out these stones in ancient times, and it has puzzled archeologists as to how they were able to transport the stones there with the technology of their time (or lack thereof). There have been a lot of theories as to what they used these stones for. Some say that it could have been a ceremonial temple used by druids; some say that it was used as an ancient clock because of its relation with the position of the Sun and the Moon. Another theory is that the whole area of its location (the County of Wilshire) is actually a burial ground and Stonehenge is a temple of their memorial. Regardless of what its purpose is, it’s captivated the minds of scientists and tourists alike.

The Roman Baths

Even people in ancient Rome appreciated the spa experience. The Roman baths, which is located in the city of Bath, was a place of public bathing. It is still well preserved and there are many stories and exciting facts behind it. Gladiators would go to the baths after a fight (an additional initiative to win aside from not dying), and would relax and replenish. They would use certain stones to scrape of grime and dead skin from their bodies that was actually collected and put in containers. The reason for this? Women would actually rub it all over their faces, believing that the glory, bravery, and other qualities surviving gladiators would rub off on them. It may seem unhygienic but it was the norm of that period.

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