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Σάββατο 2 Μαρτίου 2013

Six Easter holiday ideas

Fancy religious festivities in Italy, a cottage in the British countryside or a cool Nordic city break? There is still time to book an Easter holiday getaway

Alternative Florida
Beachgoers at Jimmy B's beach bar, Fort Myers, Florida
Forget Orlando, Walt Disney World and Miami and head to Fort Myers and its surrounding islands on the Gulf coast this Easter. It's like stepping back in time to Old Florida. Families will enjoy some of the best beaches for shell collecting, as well as the chance to island-hop on the 100 barrier islands and explore nature reserves. 
British Airways is offering a seven-night break at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Estero Bay for £956pp including return flights from Heathrow to Miami, based on a family of four travelling from 30 March-6 April. For more information on the area see fortmyers-sanibel.com

Art and design in Helsinki
How about flying to Helsinki for a long weekend? It's still chilly at Easter, but you will skip the summer crowds and prices. Head to the design district, which made the city the World Design Capital in 2012, or experience modern Finnish art at the Kiasma and older art at the Ateneum then relax in a sauna. Return flights over the Easter weekend with Finnair start at £193. The four-star design Klaus K hotel in the city centre has doubles over Easter from £125. See visithelsinki.fi/.

Fireworks in Florence
Florence's Easter parade culminates in Scoppio del Carro, or “the exploding cart”.
Southern Europe is a great destination for Easter, with religious parades and festivals across the region. In Florence, events culminate in Scoppio del Carro, or "the exploding cart", when a cart filled with fireworks is torched on Easter Sunday. Rent a nearby villa so you can see the spectacle and then retreat to your own space. At Pretaccione, a hamlet in Chianti, villas sleeping six with private terrace and garden and access to a pool and tennis court cost from £705 for a week. Return flights in the Easter holidays with easyJet from Gatwick to Bologna cost from £250, and with Ryanair from Stansted to Pisa from £200.

Family cycling in Liguria
 The Italian region of Liguria offers thousands of miles of coastal and mountain paths, ideal for all abilities on a family cycling trip. Area 24 in western Liguria covers 24km of disused railway tracks, which have been transformed into cycle paths through eight coastal towns, offering sea views and stopping-off points at beaches. Those seeking a more adrenaline-fuelled trip can plan routes on the Alta Via Dei Monti Liguri, a cycle route covering more than 700km, from coastal towns to Alpine peaks. Stay in Hotel Medusa , a specialist cycling hotel in Finale Ligure, for £117pp from 2 April, based on a family of four sharing. The hotel has recently been renovated and sits on the Finale Ligure seafront in west Liguria. Guests can use the bike room and bike workshop, hire bikes from the hotel and use the free bike shuttles to get to Liguria's top biking areas. Return flights from Gatwick to Nice start at £198 over Easter weekend with British Airways. See turismoinliguria.it.

Gastronomy in Guernsey
 
Jerbourg Point, Guernsey. 
Head to Guernsey to experience landscape and gastronomy on a "Tasty Walk" this Easter. The island's latest tourism campaign offers three themed walks exploring Guernsey's history, landscape and gastronomy, and ending with a traditional meal. A Tasty Walks package for two including three nights at the four-star Fermain Valley Hotel in St Peter Port with breakfast, flights from Gatwick and car hire, costs from £263pp with Channel Islands Direct. visitguernsey.com.

Retreats at home

In secluded mid-Devon, close to the historic market town of Crediton, Middle Hollacombe Farmhouse is a former "longhouse", which sleeps six and has been refurbished in contemporary style, though with traditional fireplaces. It costs £1,344 (£224pp) for a week starting 29 March. Or head to Norfolk, and Corner Cottage, a 1750 half-timbered property in Overstrand, close to the beach and nature reserves, from £959 (£240pp based on four sharing).

All prices correct at time of going to press

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