Just as spring has sprung and Europe begins to thaw out a little, chocolate eggs begin to hit the supermarkets and the run-up to Easter begins. It is a religious celebration in many parts of the continent, a sugar feast in others, but a guaranteed four-day weekend everywhere. So, it’s the perfect opportunity for a Europe car hire road trip, we think. Here are some ideas.
Tulip time in the Netherlands: Spring in Holland is a riot of colour as the tulips bloom, and you can enjoy a unique road trip with a car hire from Amsterdam. Not far south of the city is Haarlem, and from there the “Bloemen Route” (Flower Route) to Leiden takes in the most concentrated area of flower fields, including the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse.
Four days over Easter is the perfect amount of time for an in-depth visit to the South Holland province, home to Den Haag and Rotterdam as well as the many flower fields. Try a traditional Easter brunch on Sunday with Paasstol fruit loaf and, of course, lots of chocolate.
Italian Celebrations: Strongly Catholic Italy celebrates Easter in a big way, with processions, statues, costumes, olive branches, Masses and festivals nationwide. It is an exciting time to be in the country, so pick up a rental and explore to your heart’s content. Rome, Florence, Milan, Genoa, Naples, Sicily - you can get into the Italian Easter spirit anywhere.
Lo Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) in Florence is one of the most popular Easter events, at Piazza del Duomo on Easter Sunday. Other celebrations of note include Easter rituals in Alghero and Trapani, La Madonna Che Scappa (The Racing Madonna) in Abruzzo and the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome.
Most tourist attractions will be open on Easter Sunday and Monday, but many restaurants and shops will be closed, so plan accordingly.
Vive la France: Where better for a road trip than beautiful France, blessed with lovely countryside, charming cities, amazing food and even better wine. Easter celebrations here are not as common as in Italy, but there is still plenty to do, and an abundance of sweet treats including traditional chocolate fish! French chocolatiers go all out at Easter with delicious results.
There are several regions in France which are great for a four-day trip. A pick-up in Bordeaux gives access to surf beaches and laid-back small towns on the south-west coast, a very pretty part of the country with lots of forest and opportunities for outdoor adventures. Lyon is the gateway to the mountainous and scenic Alps region, and if you like a little glamour then start in Marseilles and discover the cities of the French Riviera. Paris is the obvious choice, but a good one - a car rental can get you out of the city to Versailles, Fontainebleu, the Chateau of Chantilly, Reims, Rouen and more.
Find the right Europe car hire
Airport Rentals can help you get the perfect vehicle for the Easter holiday, wherever you choose to go. The simple search engine does the work, presenting a list of options from a range of different suppliers in any given city. Seeing them all together on one page makes it easy to compare top rental brands and come to an informed decision. Filters narrow the field so you can pinpoint the car you want in no time.
Easter is not as busy as the big-name holidays such as Christmas and New Year, but cars do sell out fast for the long weekend. However, with our extensive range you can still get one for your Europe road trip - and you might even land a last-minute deal! Head over to Airport Rentals and start planning.
