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.

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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.

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After a stressful year at work, you finally have the chance to take your vacation and forget about all your problems and concerns (even for just a while). If you’ve wanted to go to the United Kingdom, chances are that England is on that long list of places you want to visit. Here are a number of places and events that you could visit during your stay in England.

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.

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Planning a trip with someone could also mean a debate as to where you’d go for your vacation. There might be a place you’ve wanted to go, but never had the opportunity until now. The thing is, there still lies one obstacle; your disagreeing travel companion. You may try a few persuasive tricks that you’ve learned from negotiating business deals, but this could be a whole different ball game. If it’s the United Kingdom that’s been lingering in your thoughts, then here are a few sights and activities that could sway your travel buddy your way.

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.

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People generally connote St. Patrick’s Day with simply getting inebriated on a ton of Irish drinks. While this certainly can be an enjoyable experience for drinkers all around the UK and the world, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about toasts and bottoms-up’s: it’s a UK holiday wherein Roman Catholics celebrate the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint - St. Patrick. Usually happening on the 17th of March, it’s a great day for the religious devout as well as the secular population of the world.

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.

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