YoLo

Thinking about going to Italy in April 2003, but would like to avoid any of the Easter festivities (crowds). How long do their Easter celebrations last? Any suggestions what dates in April would be safe to avoid those crowds?<BR><BR>thanks!<BR><BR>

Denise

We've been to Italy in April two times, during Easter. The last time was the Jubilee in Rome. Did not find the crowds any different and it did not take away from out fabulous time. The only thing was that certain sites were closed on Good Friday such as climbing the Duomo in Florence. I wouldn't worry about going. April is a wonderful time to go. We had warm weather and flowers are in bloom.<BR><BR>Denise

M

One interesting point about being in Italy during Eastertime concerns Rome. If you are interested in attending a Holy Week mass (or service on Good Friday), Rome is a great place to be. Of course, the Pope regularly presides over certain Holy Week celebrations, but many of these require advance ticket purchases and can be very crowded. The good news is that other major churches and basilicas have MUCH less crowded Holy Week celebrations. For example, two years ago, the Holy Thursday mass was celebrated by the Pope at his cathedral, St. John Lateran, while the mass at St. Peters was said by a cardinal. The mass at St. Peters was not crowded, and it was possible to get a good glimpse of everything. The music, ceremony, and attendeeds (many cardinals and bishops) were impressive. So, if you are interested in Easter celebrations in Rome but do not want to deal with crowds that will be inevitable when following the Pope, you can choose a different major basilica or cathedral and still enjoy traditional celebrations.<BR><BR>

YoLo

thanks everyone. <BR><BR>As mentioned above I do not want to deal with the crowds or ANY Easter celebrations. Since Im not Catholic I have no idea if their celebrations/Mass start on Good Friday or begin the start of that week.<BR>When will it all end?

M

Their celebrations begin around one week before Easter (the Sunday before Easter) and extend through the Monday after Easter. In fact, the Monday after Easter is a national holiday in Italy, so many things may be closed.