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EASTER IN POROS

People are always asking when is the best time of the year to visit Greece. Well, Greece is a rewarding country to visit at any time of the year but for a truly unique experience and insight into the Greek way of life I would always recommend a visit in the week of Orthodox Easter

Easter time is a very special season in Greece. It begins with the carnivals and celebrations of Apokreas over two months before Easter, followed by Clean Monday with its picnicking and kite flying and then the fasting of Lent. But for most non-Orthodox people it is Holy Week and the celebrations of Easter itself that are the most enjoyable. In Greek, Easter is called Pascha, meaning Passover and it symbolises the eternal Passover from death to life and from earth to heaven.

Since the Greek Orthodox Easter is based on the Julian calendar and the Western world uses the Gregorian calendar Easter usually falls on a different date in Greece to the rest of the Christian world.

Easter is the most important holiday of the year for the people of Greece – yes, more important than Christmas! It is always, of course, in spring and nature and the countryside are at their most beautiful at this time. All the wild flowers are in bloom and everywhere is very green after the winter rains. The weather is good, neither cold nor too hot and it is the perfect time for walking or travelling around. Perhaps it is not the best time of the year for spending a day at the beach but on the other hand you will take part in an experience that you may remember for the rest of your life. But you don’t have to be particularly religious to enjoy it all. The candlelight procession on Saturday night, for instance, when the holy flame is passed from person to person gradually lighting up the dark and symbolising eternal life moves virtually everybody, believer and non-believer alike!

EASTER PACKAGE AT HOTEL SAGA, POROS 2013

• Monday: Arrive at hotel in Piraeus and settle in
• Tuesday: Escorted trip by metro to the flea markets of Monastiraki and a visit to the Acropolis
• Wednesday: Morning transfer to Poros Island and Saga Hotel. Light lunch at the hotel
• Thursday: Afternoon demonstration of making red eggs, Easter bread (tsoureki) and traditional Easter biscuits (koulourakia)
• Friday: Escorted evening visit to one of the churches on the island to follow the Epitaphio procession down to the waterfront and along the paralia followed by a visit to one of the traditional cafe/bars of Poros for light refreshments, wine and coffee.
• Saturday: Escorted trip to a different island church for the service of the resurrection and the spreading of the holy light – preceded by a meal with wine in a local restaurant featuring some of the traditional Easter food, which you may like to try. (Meat, fish and vegetable dishes will also be available if you do not want to eat the mageiritsa!)
• Sunday: Easter Sunday barbecue at Hotel Saga – truly a feast! The main dish at the Easter Table is the lamb served in honour of the Lamb of God who was sacrificed and rose again at Easter. The whole spiced lamb roasted over a charcoal fire is the most traditional of Greek Easter foods however for those who do not eat red meat chicken and vegetable dishes will be available.
• Monday: Return to Piraeus and onward to the airport for your flight home