Happy Sunday to my frequent readers, if you are looking for a weekend getaway this upcoming Easter, I have come across some great deals for the whole family.
Feel like going to the state’s capital and joining in on the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House? This practice has occurred since 1878 during the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes. After a law passed prohibiting children from egg rolling on Capitol grounds, President Hayes accepted children to carry on the tradition at the White House. Today the tradition also includes a visit from the Easter Bunny and storytelling. This momentous tradition continues to bring 100’s of children and families together. Flights from Atlanta are as low as $139.
Is Washington, D.C. not far enough for a weekend getaway and Easter celebration? How about enjoying your chocolates from the Easter bunny while sipping on a little sangria in Spain? Flights to the Port of Spain are as low as $339.
Spain celebrates Easter through street processions. The processions are organized and occur every evening from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. They consist of music and people carrying statues of saints or biblical scenes on platforms where onlookers and participants can mourn these saints. On Easter Sunday, they celebrate with feasts, light and color, church bells can be heard throughout the day, a sense of rejoicing spreads throughout the country. You will be likely to capture and participate in these processions and the rejoicing at the Port of Spain. If you are unfamiliar with the Port of Spain and want to buff up on a little history, I recommend reading The Loss of Eldorado by V.S. Naipaul. Phillip Cartelli puts together a great summary of his own adventures to the Port of Spain.
How about a cheap flight to New York City where you can participate in the enormous Easter egg hunt in Central park or walk around with a crazy hat or bonnet on 5th avenue? Flights are less than $150. New York City offers a variety of celebration from the traditional hunts to an annual parade.
After the kids or yourself have finished searching for those colorful eggs, how about a little author education. John Steinbeck, author of The Grapes of Wrath lived in NYC more than half of his life. Walk the streets a bit and try to understand his own words, “New York is the world with every vice and blemish and beauty and there’s privacy thrown in. What more could you ask?” Explore New York City with an open, nonjudgmental, fresh eye. Feel the central park air, see the sun creeping around the skyscrapers, experience New York City.
I hope these travel deals will land you in a great spot this upcoming Easter.
And a few words of advice:
I was watching the Rachel Ray show the other morning and she had a special guest informing viewers of the skyrocketing prices of flights, as well as the hidden fees that airlines are incorporating. For instance, luggage, food and picking your seats in advance will all cost you extra money.
If you are traveling with friends or family, it will cost you an additional amount to pick your seats so you are all sitting together. Currently, AirTran charges $20 just to sit in an exit row, each way! Aisle, middle and window seats all cost anywhere from 5-15 dollars, depending on the airline. Baggage fees are anywhere from 10-25 dollars, depending on the airline. Looking for a small meal on your voyage? I hope you have a credit card or cash, because a bag of pretzels containing approximately 10 small pretzels probably won’t satisfy your appetite.
Don’t get discouraged with all these fees; you just have to be prepared. Weigh your luggage, book together and eat a big meal before you even get to the airport. Traveling is an amazing experience; don’t let the fees get you down.
Happy Easter. Keep exploring.
