The Best Places in the World for a Luxury Easter Holiday

Spring is just around the corner, which means Easter is not far behind. Lots of kids will have a school holiday – and you might be in dire need of a vacation. What’s the best place to travel for a Easter destination trip? Even if you’re not celebrating the holiday itself, where is the best place to spend a week during Easter school break this year? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen created a list of the best places in the world to enjoy a luxury Easter holiday trip this year.  

the best places for a luxury trip for the Easter holiday

Eastertide is just around the corner. And that means so are warmer temperatures, the sounds of chirping of birds, images of sweet baby animals and of course, the religious holiday itself. That means glorious candy-filled baskets and hampers, delicious brunches, luxurious confections and even a little crime-solving, too.

For others, Easter also marks an opportunity to travel. After all, many schools are closed during the Easter holiday, making it an ideal time to explore other places around the world. And also to discover how other countries and cities celebrate the season in their own special ways.

From the vibrant souks of Marrakech, to an Easter egg hunt approved by the Queen herself, to a chance to tiptoe through the tulips of Amsterdam, here are 10 of the best places to travel for the Easter holiday this year. It’s a chance to celebrate not only the holiday itself, but also the arrival of all things spring.

the best places and luxury travel destinations for Easter

1. new york city.

Take a trip to the big apple and partake in the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, which has been a New York City tradition since the 1800’s, when high-society ladies would promenade in their Easter finery after church. Since then, the parade has evolved into a showcase for millinery, featuring whimsical toppers shaped like the Manhattan skyline and the Coney Island Cyclone, among many others.

Looking for an Easter egg hunt for your little ones? You’ll find plenty of those at the approximately 1,700 parks within the five boroughs from which to choose. Throw in a delicious Easter brunch spot and a stay at The Pierre (which hosts an incredible Easter brunch), and you’ve got yourself a classic and classy New York City Easter weekend.

2. boca raton, florida.

There’s something to fill everyone’s Easter basket at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. In addition to lots of golf, sand and sea, the resort hosts some majorly kid-friendly Easter weekend festivities. They include activities like sack races, face painting and a bounce house.

On Easter Sunday itself, the resort really steps up. There’s an annual Easter egg hunt that features over 10,000 eggs filled with toys and candy hidden on the sprawling golf course. And naturally, there is a seriously good brunch, too.

3. washington d.c.

Since 1878, Presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting the White House Easter Egg Roll, which is held on the South Lawn of the White House. The event is actually one of the oldest annual events in the history of the White House.

After attending the festivities, swing by some of the nation’s landmarks. If Easter comes early, you can enjoy the last of the blooming cherry blossoms at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For accommodations, we suggest the sleek new Conrad Hotel located only a short walk from the National Mall.

4. san francisco.

Famed for its annual Union Street Easter Parade, San Francisco draws the crowds in to celebrate this festive spring holiday. The celebration can only be described as a combination of wonderful, wacky and elegant. It welcomes everyone from rollerblading butterflies to sophisticated fashionistas. In addition to a visit from the Easter Bunny himself, you will find live music and plenty of brunch options at Union Street´s restaurants.

Stay at the Fairmont San Francisco in neighboring Nob Hill, where you’ll find high-end amenities like exclusive Le Labo products and Frette bed linens in the guest rooms. And a cheeky tiki bar that’s been blessed by the late Anthony Bourdain.

3. london.

From Easter egg hunts and special Easter events for kids and grownups, to some of the world’s best chocolate shops, London is a great option for Easter. Several parks throughout the city host hunts, but one of the highlights is surely The Royal Mews Easter Egg Hunt at Buckingham Palace. There, Rex the corgi and royal horses Majesty and Scout have been up to no good, hiding pictures of themselves among the carriages. Kids partake in a special treasure hunt to locate the pictures to claim the coveted chocolate prize and then craft “jewel-covered” eggs.

And since it’s spring, you will want to make the most of the season and spend your free time strolling through beautiful Hyde Park. Then retire to our favorite hotel in London, the Beaumont in Mayfair.

4. amsterdam.

Easter in the Netherlands is all about brunch, baby animals and of course, tulips. At the Keukenhof Gardens you will find hundreds of thousands of colorful tulips spread across the fields that you can tour on foot, via bicycle or even overhead from a helicopter. Nearby you will also find the windmill town of Zaanse Schans, where you can taste traditional Dutch cheese and learn how wooden clogs are made.

Back in the city center, you can enjoy brunch at any number of five-star hotels. Or at the chic restaurant The White Room. Kid may prefer a chance to cuddle with baby chicks at the Artis Zoo and then enjoy brunch among the animals. We suggest booking a room – and the Easter buffet brunch – at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, which features a buffet that extends beyond the usual fare, ranging from congee to Dutch pancakes.

7. prague.

The people from Prague love Easter almost as much as they do Christmas. The city is home to one of Europe’s most important Easter markets – The Prague Easter Market on the Old Town Square. The market features wooden stalls decorated with the bright colors of spring, flowers, ribbons and ornaments of animal babies. They are stocked with handicraft products like embroidered lace, wooden toys, ceramics, scented candles, puppets and Easter eggs. In addition to homemade cheese, gingerbread, marzipan and Czech Easter specialties such as mazance (Easter sweet bread).

Throughout the square and the rest of the city, you’ll find blossoming apple trees decorated with eggs. And giant Easter eggs over two meters tall that only add to the Easter feel. Staying in the city center is the best way to experience the market: either the Four Seasons Prague or The Emblem Hotel would be perfect.

8. rome, italy.

For those really looking to experience the reason for the Easter season, a trip to Rome would be a meaningful way to spend the holiday. Across Italy, Holy Week is widely celebrated. On Palm Sunday in Rome, you’ll find the streets filled with people carrying the branches of olive trees, instead of the palm fronts you might find in the United States. During Holy Week, there’s everything from lifelike reenactments to solemn processions on Good Friday. And of course, you’d have the chance to visit The Vatican and witness the Easter ceremony held at St. Peter’s Basilica firsthand.

We would be remiss if we did not mention the delicious food traditions that take hold of the city and country this time of year as well. The weeks running up to Easter see supermarkets, stores and specialty confectioners’ shops overflowing with large ornate chocolate eggs, sugar lambs, chocolate hens and other creatures. On Easter Sunday, most families enjoy abbacchio, a roasted leg of lamb and other traditional dishes. For an authentic Easter brunch, we suggest dining at Imágo, overlooking Rome’s terracotta rooftops and St. Peter’s Basilica, on the roof terrace of the 5-star Hotel Hassler.

9. zermatt, switzerland.

Though the ski season may be winding down in the US, the higher resorts in The Alps continue to draw skiers in for the Easter season with warming temps and glorious spring sunshine. According to many locals, April is among the best times for skiing in Zermatt thanks to its fantastic snow conditions, grippy pistes and yes, that lovely sunshine. Couple that with the majestic Matterhorn as a backdrop and a weekend-long chocolate Easter bunny hunt across the town. It’s no wonder that Zermatt is one of the grandest and most popular spots for an Easter skiing adventure.

After hitting the slopes and having your fair share of Lindt Swiss chocolate bunnies, retreat to a stay at Mont Cervin Palace, which features an extensive wellness center. It boasts an indoor pool as well as a heated outdoor pool, where you can relax with views of the Matterhorn.

10. Marrakech, Morocco.

Spring brings a fresh burst of color to Marrakech, with the surrounding valleys displaying a variety of vibrant blossoms. Sunshine prevails and the temperature sits comfortably at around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making Easter an ideal time to visit and bask in all things spring. Tour the lush Jardin Majorelle, the famous garden of painter Jacques Majorelle which was restored by designers Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Afterwards check out the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.

You cannot visit Marrakech without exploring the city’s atmospheric Medina and colorful souks. Take the lush spring flora and fauna theme all the way with a stay at the new Oberoi, which is surrounded by 28 acres of flourishing gardens.

the best places to spend a luxury Easter holiday this year

There you have it, our 10 picks for the best places to celebrate a luxury Easter holiday this year. Where are you headed? While our plans may still be up in the air, one thing is for certain – we’ll be sure to have a very sweet time. We hope you do, too!

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Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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