Easter is one of the most significant festivals of the year for Italians. The warm season and outdoor activities officially begin on this day. Amazing concerts, popular festivals, processions and religious rites are a few events organized during this time. If you are also planning to celebrate Easter in Italy and willing to spend your holidays here during this time, you must know everything before going there.
Easter falls low this year. Easter falls on a different day every year because it always falls on the Sunday after the full moon in spring. This rule states that if Easter falls between 22nd March to 1st April, it is considered low, from 3rd to 13th April, it is considered average and high if it falls between 14th to 25th April.
Easter celebrations begin on the preceding Sunday in remembrance of Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem, which was greeted by the waving of palm leaves. Kids as well as elders come home from church on this day holding blessed olive branches.
Thus, the holy Easter week starts during which number of rituals are performed. This marks the start of Holy Week, when several ceremonies are performed. The “Eucharistic celebration” and Last Supper are remembered on Thursday.
Good Friday is Via Crucis day: The streets are illuminated with torches and are traversed by processions retracing the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus.
The Resurrection is announced by the bells at midnight on Saturday. The most important day is Sunday as Lent, the long fasting period is now over. Chocolate & colorful eggs as well as dove shaped cakes are distributed everywhere. Easter’s significance as the celebration of spring and the reawakening of nature is linked to the egg, which is considered to be the symbol of life that renews itself and aspires to fruitfulness.
The final day of celebration in Italy is known as Pasquetta, or Little Easter, or Easter Monday, also known as the Monday of Angel. It recalls the meeting between the winged messenger and the women who came to the empty tomb. Only after World War II it was added in the national calendar as a public Easter Italy holiday in order to extend the spring break. The use of outdoor and out-of-town adventures has expanded since then.
Those who are going to celebrate Easter in Italy 2024 are going to get spoiled for choices. Let’s check out how…
There are several unique traditions and customs followed in each town of Italy, so let’s explore a few of them.
After the return of Pazzino di Ranieri de’ Pazzi, a Florentine knight who had flown the Holy Cross banner over Jerusalem during the Crusades, this practice was established in 1096. After he came back in Florence, these stones were carried through the streets and used to start the sacred fire for the Easter Vigil.
Today, 150 soldiers, musicians and other participants dressed in 15th-century Easter Italy costume a 30-foot-tall antique cart driven by a team of white oxen in a Sunday procession held in honour of this event.
A lighted procession beginning at the Palatine Hill marks the Pope’s Good Friday walk in remembrance of the Christ’s Via Crucis. A large crowd gathers at Saint Peter’s Basilica to hear the Pope celebrate mass at five o’clock in the evening. Beginning at the Palatine Hill, the Pope leads a lighted procession in remembrance of Christ’s Via Crucis. The pontiff’s journey comes to an end in the Colosseum after stopping at 14 locations to pray and reflect on Christ’s life.
Apart from the unique traditions and customs, super delicious food is available to all the visitors during Easter in Italy. Most renowned dessert is the Columba which is a dove shaped bread made from almonds, egg whites and sugar.
Milan is the place where this cake originated, but it’s now quite popular worldwide. The Pinza Pasquale, a sweet bread from Trieste topped with a carved three-point cross, is another tradition from the north.
The Casatiello from Naples, a salty cake with, sausage, cheese, hard-boiled eggs and salami, is a Southern Easter custom. Sicily, Catania has a unique variety of Easter biscuits ‘aceddu cu’ l’ova’. Once baked, these cookies are given to friends and families as a gesture of good fortune and affection.
To experience all the traditions and customs yourself and try all the food, you will need a visa. So here’s a quick guide for you.
To obtain an online Italy visa, the easiest way is to utilize the services of experienced professionals. It might be difficult to handle the visa application process on your own, but with the help of professional agency, the process becomes simpler and more efficient. Because they are experienced with the intricacies of the visa application procedure and they ensure that all of your necessary documents are in order. Being well-prepared always helps in getting Italy visa appointment easily and obtaining your visa promptly. So plan well and as quickly as possible as Easter approaching soon.
The processing time for Italy visa varies depending on Nationalities and type of visa you are applying, for example whether you are applying for long stay or short stay Schengen visa. Generally Short Stay visa processing time ranges between 7-8 working days and long stay Italy Schengen visa takes around 8-15 working days. For some nationalities it may take around 15 days’ time. Get in touch with us to know more about it in detail.
This is the simple Italy visa application process that we follow to help you get one quickly:
Validity depends on several factors like whether you are applying for the first time or you already had multiple Schengen visas in the past. Italy generally gives visa for 3 months to 2 years or even more but maximum time that you can stay will be 90 days in single trip.
Yes, you may always apply for a multiple entry visa for Schengen countries that will allow you to travel to the country at multiple occasions within a specific time period. However if you want to apply for multi-entry Schengen visa you will need to show multiple ITINERARIES for different countries at the VFS centre for which we can help you with the dummy hotel and flight bookings.
Valentine’s Day in Italy is celebrated in the same way as the other parts of the world. It is known as ‘La Festa degli Innamorat’ which means ‘Festival of lovers’. However, some Italian twists and influences make it a truly distinct experience. Though Valentine’s Day in Italy is not a public holiday for locals, it’s just like another day at work, but still it’s a romantic day filled with love and lots of passion.
It is a time for couples to show their love for each other with chocolates, presents and lovely flowers. There’s no doubt that romantic moves and signs on a daily basis are more important than on a single day of the year, but Valentine’s Day has become a reason for couples to spend some quality time together and enjoy company of each other.
If you are also planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Italy 2024, there’s lot that you will experience here like people carrying roses in their hands specially the white ones that symbolizes innocence and purity and red ones that are epitome of romance and love. Streets are full of people carrying these roses, so why not you too. Imagine yourself on the streets of Italy carrying roses for your loving partner. Sound’s great isn’t it?
So, let me tell you a few things that you will need to know before you can actually be in Italy and celebrate this wonderful day with your girlfriend/boyfriend or spouse. First of all you need to decide whether you are serious about going here, if you are serious than the first thing you need to do is book your Italy Visa appointment to get the visa. After you have your visa in hand you are all set to fly to Italy and surprise your partner with a wonderful gift of life time.
And once you are in Italy there are several things that you both can indulge in to celebrate and spend time together for unforgettable memories.
Surprise your love with a Valentine’s Day trip and celebrate the love of you two like never before. From little town to big cities dotted around the peninsula, not to forget the mountain resorts, lakes and seaside there are several ways and numerous places to celebrate your valentine’s day in Italy 2024. Here you can not only pamper yourself but also enjoy local specialties and of course a romantic candlelit dinner with your sweetheart. So let’s make your job a little easy with the 5 beautiful places where you can go during your romantic holidays.
Explore one of the most romantic and beautiful places in Liguria. Via dell’Amore is one of the most famous and well liked trails in this tropical paradise with a gorgeous sea view. It is popularly known as the path of love which begins at Riomaggiore train station. Further it connects this charming town to the neighbouring Manarola station. This place is a heaven to not just treat the romantic in you but also the enthusiastic and the adventurous part too.
Lake Scanno is the most popular natural lake in Abruzzo which is visited quite often by thousands of people. It’s a must visit place especially on the Valentine’s Day with your lover to enjoy its beauty. It begins at the lakeshore souvenir kiosk and proceeds to the popular viewpoint via Hermitage of Sant’Egidio. So, if you want some lone, quality time this is the place for you which promises not just the stunning surrounding for romantic photos but a completely unique experience. It is undoubtedly one of the most romantic date ideas in Italy.
Spectacular views and fantastic food – for a unique experience I will suggest you to explore the breathtaking view points of Naples. From Fenestrella di Marechiaro to Sant’Antonio terrace on the Posillipo hill and Caracciolo seafront, take one of the cities and in fact entire Italy’s most romantic walks ever. It’s a cherry on the top when you have your partner by your side to share some cute moments, talks, relax and enjoy some peaceful time.
If you are thinking about the most romantic place than you can head to Verona, without giving it a second thought. This beautiful city in the northern Italy will be happily welcome you with open arms. The stone bridges, riverbank castles and magnificent views helped this city turn into the city of love. Moreover, the Juliet statue and balcony represents her tormented affection for Romeo. Do not forget to visit the house of Capulet in Via Cappello if you are planning to visit this city of Romeo-Juliet.
Discover the history of Valentine’s Day by visiting Terni where patron saint of lovers was born. As they say, Patron was called the saint of lovers as he celebrated the marriage of pagan legionnaire and a young Christian girl letting love win over religious boundaries.
You may treat yourself to a day full of culture, tradition and history by visiting the Roman amphitheatre and the thousand-year-old Basilica, which is devoted to the patron saint of the city and of loves.
Lastly, what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to explore an art city in Italy? From Trieste to Assisi, Cagliari to Rome, Ferrara to Turin, Perugia to Florence, every city and every place is simply marvelous. Nothing is more romantic than letting the heart and mind appreciate beauty.
Valentine’s Day in Italy 2023: Visa for Italy, How to apply
You did a great job of course by planning to spend Valentine’s day in Italy with your partner but don’t forget that gift to make her/him feel even more special. Giving them the gift is definitely an opportunity to show them how much you love and care about their preferences and interests. A customized gift or something that they truly adore will remind them of your feelings & the special bond that you two share.
So what are you waiting for? Valentine’s Day is just round the corner and you have to get your Italy visa too in time to be able to escape this heaven. Also you need some time for shopping and deciding on the places you would want to visit with your partner, where you two will be going for lunch and special dinner. All of these needs a little time for a perfect execution. Hence, start preparing early so that you can make Valentine’s Day in Italy 2024, a truly memorable one.
The processing time for an Italy visa varies depending on Nationalities and type of visa you are applying, for example whether you are applying for long stay or short stay Schengen visa. Generally Short Stay visa processing time ranges between 7-8 working days and long stay Italy Schengen visa takes around 8-15 working days. For some nationalities it may take around 15 days’ time. Get in touch with us to know more about it in detail.
This is the simple Italy visa application process that we follow to help you get one quickly:
Receive your Passport directly through VFS Via courier.
Due to limited slots and immense popularity of Italy among tourists, scheduling a visa appointment is typically regarded as a challenging and time-consuming task. This is where our role begins, as we use our years of experience to help you secure an express (next-day) Italy visa appointment.
No, each person applying for Italy tourist visa must complete and sign the visa application form separately. Although parents will need to sign the form if the applicant is a minor, but a separate application must be submitted for them as well.
Validity depends on several factors like whether you are applying for the first time or you already had multiple Schengen visas in the past. Italy generally gives visa for 3 months to 2 years or even more but maximum time that you can stay will be 90 days in single trip.
You are able to travel to all 27 Schengen nations including Italy if you have a Schengen visa. Keep in mind that your longest stay must be in the nation for which you obtained a visa for. Here are the Schengen member nations that you can travel with single visa: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.