holy week travel tips

Get my latest travel guides, tips, and photos to plan your ultimate bucket list trip!

Easter Getaways: Where to Spend Holy Week + Tips

This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through these links. You can read my full disclosure policy  here .

Easter Getaways

1 | amsterdam, the netherlands.

Amsterdam is the perfect place to spend Easter weekend. More often than not, Easter falls in the month of April and…you guessed it, this is prime tulip season! In addition to a day trip from Amsterdam to Keukenho f to see the famous flowers, there are many other Easter activities that take place around the Dutch capital city.

Several of Amsterdam’s churches offer Easter services in English for international visitors and ex-pats. Most of the museums and outdoor markets are open. Browse for traditional Easter foods such as paasstol which is a yeast bread with dried fruits and almond paste. Join one of the many Easter egg hunts going on…there are both traditional dyed eggs and chocolate eggs to search for!

Make reservations for Easter brunch at a hotel or have Easter tea brunch at the smallest house in Amsterdam as we did! Alternatively but equally as fun, book an Easter brunch cruise on the Pancake Boat . During the 2.5 hour cruise, you can enjoy all the pancakes you can eat!

Since this is high season for tourism, be sure to book accommodations such as the Pulitzer Amsterdam in advance.

PRO TIP:  Amsterdam observes Easter not only on Sunday and Good Friday but also on Monday, the day after Easter. Keep this in mind when planning activities on Monday as crowds will most likely be just as large.

2 | Tromsø, Norway

Megan from Megan Starr

One of the best places to spend Easter is in Norway… specifically, in Tromsø, the capital of Arctic Norway.

At first glance, Norway might seem like the worst place to spend ‘påske’, or Easter, as everything closes down for some time.  You will have to stock up on food and groceries and anything else you might want to purchase in advance.  However, if you’re looking for a more ‘local’ experience, Easter is a fantastic time to  travel to Tromsø because the opportunity to experience Norway will be presented to you.

In Norway, many locals take to nature during Easter.  This is the last time of the year many Norwegians will go skiing, both cross-country and downhill.  And, in Tromsø, you have the chance to do both.  You will also see many Norwegians enjoying the special food that comes out this time of year- just look for the word ‘påske’ on chips, candy, and everything else when you’re in a supermarket.  There is even påske marzipan!

Norway is known for fish, but it has traditionally relied heavily on lamb and sheep meat.  During Easter, be sure to get a meal of ‘pinnekjøtt’ at a restaurant in Tromsø.  These lamb ribs are steamed for many hours and are salty and delicious, especially served with root vegetables such as rutabaga and potatoes.  This is also a traditional Christmas meal, but you will find many Norwegians enjoying it during Easter, too.

One of the more obscure Easter traditions in Norway is the presence of crime novels and stories.  Norwegians love reading them or watching crime mini-series on television during their Easter break at home at the “hytte” (cabin).  Many great crime writers hail from Scandinavia, such as Jo Nesbø, so perhaps this has something to do with it.  But, you will definitely see crime novels and small books in stores during this holiday.

As someone who spent four years living in Norway, I definitely think visiting Tromsø or any Norwegian city during Easter is a must!

PRO TIP: In Tromsø specifically, you can use the Easter holidays to take some tours and they will likely be easier to book and cheaper than if you were to book during the high-season in December and January.  You can still see the northern lights during this time of the year!

3 | Krakow, Poland

Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery

Krakow is a great city to visit year-round and even more so at Easter . All the action centers on the main square, the Rynek Główny, which gets packed with stalls selling everything from lovely handicrafts to some hearty Polish food. Try the Polish version of stuffed dumplings (Pierogi) or sausage (Kiełbasa). A good beer to flush it with is Tyskie, a local brand.

The Easter markets occupy just a part of the square, though. The rest is still wonderfully empty. Weather permitting, stroll around to your heart’s content, and enjoy a cup of coffee at the local Europejska Café or the international Costa Coffee, which stays open even during Easter.

The covered market hall, Sukiennice, might not have its stalls open, but it’s still pleasant enough just to walk through it from one end to the other.

If you’re looking for a quieter celebration of Easter and enjoy doing so in churches, then you have to visit one of the Easter masses. They are usually held at least twice a day during Easter, with each church having their own schedule (check the info by a church’s entrance).

Even the top attraction in Krakow , the Wawel Castle , keeps its doors open during Easter, just not its exhibitions. Still, the majestic courtyard and the lovely area around the castle is charming enough for a bit of Easter sightseeing.

PRO TIP:  Visit Krakow’s Easter markets and stuff your face with the delicious pierogi!

4 | Enna, Sicily

Annabel Kirk from Smudged Postcard

Sicily is a wonderful place to visit at Eastertime, many of the towns have special religious celebrations: the capital Palermo, the towns of Taormina and Trapani. However, for a real hidden gem, explore Sicily by car and head inland to the town known as the  belvedere  of Sicily: Enna.

Enna is a lofty regional capital, the highest in Italy, with views stretching for miles across the surrounding countryside. During  Settimana Santa  (Holy Week) the town has regular parades starting on Palm Sunday and culminating on Good Friday when hundreds of hooded figures make their way to the cathedral to commemorate the death of Christ. This is a very somber and atmospheric time in Enna and an incredible tradition that is impressive to witness.

During Eastertime, the shops are filled with traditional delicacies: marzipan sweets and the Sicilian  cassata , a cake made from ricotta cheese. Roasted lamb is also a specialty at Easter.

Spring is a fantastic time of year to visit this delightful hilltop town. The fields of wheat on the surrounding valleys are green (much of Italy’s pasta wheat is grown here) and wildflowers dot the countryside.

There are very few hotels in central Enna. It’s better to stay at one of the nearby agriturismo properties where you’ll experience authentic hospitality and excellent food. Baglio Pollicarini is a great option as its elevated position affords views towards distant Mount Etna.

PRO TIP:  For a good view of the processions, head to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and then follow the crowds up the hill to the cathedral.

5 | Seville, Spain

Yukti Agrawal from Travel With Me 24×7

Holy Week in Seville, Spain is actually known as Semana Santa de Sevilla. Celebrated since the 16th century, it is a world-famous Easter festival still today. Many people from all around the world gather here to witness this very unique festival. Approximately 50,000 people dressed up in traditional robes take part in processions, parades and carry religious statues on their shoulders.

The processions generally take place every evening of the entire Holy Week. The participants carry statues of pasos which are scenes of Mysteries of the Rosary and photos of the grieving Virgin Mary. These huge statues (pasos) which you see during the celebration originally had an educational meaning depicting an image in the chapters of the Bible. The people who walk the processions with the floats are performing an act of penance, repenting their sins.

The aromatic incense smell, candlelight processions and profound singing of songs will take you into bliss and a spiritual world.

This procession starts on Calle Campana and ends at the main Seville Cathedral . As such, it is better to book your hotel near the cathedral so that you can walk along the procession in later evenings.

PRO TIP:  During this time all hotels are full so book your hotel in advance when you plan for Seville in Easter week. If you are visiting during springtime, then these are things you must do in Seville .

You might also like: AMSTERDAM TO KEUKENHOF: A PERFECT BUCKET LIST DAY TRIP FOR TULIPS

6 | Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Julie Thorne from More Than Main Street

Charleston, South Carolina is a perfect US destination to visit during Easter. Also called the Holy City, Charleston is known for its many historical churches and tolerance of all religions. Over the holiday weekend, you can catch the famous Hat Ladies Annual Easter Parade, one of many local egg hunts, or attend a service at some of the most beautiful churches in the country.

But, in my opinion, the best part of visiting Charleston over the Easter weekend is that everything stays open! Get your history fix at Fort Sumter, tour one of the many local plantations or take a carriage tour of downtown Charleston . You can shop until your heart’s content, take a walk around Waterfront Park, and don’t forget to grab a fun photo opp by Rainbow Row.

If you’re visiting Charleston with kids , check out Patriot’s Point , the South Carolina Aquarium or the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. Additionally, because of Charleston’s warm springtime weather, you may even be able to hit up the nearby beaches for a little fun in the sun!

Depending on your budget, consider staying at The Restoration Hotel overlooking King Street or at the Courtyard Charleston in nearby Mount Pleasant.

PRO TIP:  Charleston is an incredible foodie destination. Make sure you book your Easter brunch reservations early. Some of our favorite choices are High Cotton, Husk, or Hall’s Chophouse!

7 | Yerevan, Armenia

Emily Lush from Wander-Lush

There’s no better place to observe traditional Easter celebrations than in Armenia – the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD. Easter remains one of the biggest calendar events, with many time-honored rituals taking place in the capital,  Yerevan . The Armenian Apostolic Church (to which more than 90 percent of Armenians subscribe) falls under the Orthodox Church. According to the Orthodox calendar, Easter is observed a week later than Roman Catholic Easter – however, the Easter Feast Holiday in Armenia is celebrated for much longer, from March 22 to April 26.

Easter in Armenia centers on the Resurrection (called  Surb Zatik ). It’s quite a somber affair, and very family-focused. Ceremonies commence on Saturday night with the lighting of candles at churches around the city. At the tiny Katoghike Church (Holy Mother of God Church), you can spot the flicker of flames through the medieval stone windows from some distance away. As part of the tradition, families will often take a candle away with them to symbolically bring the Holy Light into their homes. Saturday night is also when you’ll see a procession in Republic Square, where candles are arranged in a huge cross formation.

Other Easter traditions include dying eggs the color red using onion skins, and enjoying a family feast of fish, greens,  lavash  bread and  chorek , a sweet bread made especially for the occasion. Many people still observe the 40 days of Lent, and you’ll find “fasting menus” (essentially a special selection of vegan dishes) offered at restaurants and cafes around the city in the lead-up to Easter.

PRO TIP:  Monday is a public holiday in Armenia, so Yerevan is usually pretty quiet. Plan to take a day trip to attend the country’s largest liturgy at Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church 30 minutes west of Yerevan.

8 | Ephesus, Turkey

Rai Suliman from A Rai of Light Travels

The observance of Easter goes all the way back to 325 AD in the region of what is now known as modern-day Turkey. Referred to in Turkish as Paskalye, the date of Easter was first deliberated by Christian Bishops at the First Council of Nicaea in the country’s Iznik region .

During the period of Easter, many of the country’s historic churches and shrines offer a special service attracting pilgrims from around the world. The highlight of this period is the adherence of Easter at the House of the Virgin Mary in the ancient city of Ephesus , with a history and culture going just as far back.

Many consider it an honor to celebrate the religious significance of this day and the resurrection of Jesus in the very home where His mother spent her final days. The House, a Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos holds special services throughout the Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday.

You can look forward to the Great Vigil of Easter service with the Lighting of the Pascal Fire and two services of the Mass of Resurrection. Other historic churches with celebrations include the Church of St. Mary Draperis and Church of St. Anthony of Padua, but no matter where you go there is bound to be an Easter service of some sort.

PRO TIP:  During this period, it is best to visit early in the morning, avoiding the heat of the day and the crowd that gets progressively larger.

9 | Loreto, Mexico

James Hills from Cruise West Coast

Easter weekend in Mexico, and indeed the entire Semana Santa – Holy Week, is one of the busiest among Mexican families going on vacation. In Loreto, Mexico the same is true though there’s a wide variety of options here depending on if you are looking for a more cultural experience with local restaurants and festivities or simply a sunny destination to relax and enjoy time with your family. For the latter, resorts such as Villa Del Palmar Loreto with its fantastic private beach and world-class TPC Danzante Bay golf course will be a great draw.

Regardless of where you stay though, Loreto is known for its abundant marine life including dolphins, sea lions, and of course ample opportunities to go fishing. The islands of Loreto beaches are similarly some of the most beautiful in the world with crystal clear water and pure white sand.

For those looking for a more cultural experience, staying downtown at properties such as La Mision Hotel (high-luxury) or Hotel Oasis (beachfront kitchen) might be the better option.

This also gives you the opportunity to walk to restaurants serving traditional Lenten, Easter fish and seafood dishes, explore art or even attend mass at Mision de Nuestra Senora de Loreto Concho. It’s the first successful Spanish mission in Baja and the foundation for the mission system that ultimately spread north throughout California starting in 1697. Like most Catholic celebrations in Mexico, this is a huge event with processions and celebrations around downtown and a large formal mass celebrated in front of the church itself.

PRO TIP:  Unlike some other parts of Mexico, Loreto is very safe and friendly for Americans to visit. However, you should always use caution and keep aware of your surroundings while exploring the town.

10 | Antigua, Guatemala

James Daniel from Layer Culture

When looking for interesting places to visit at Easter who would have thought Guatemala would be an option? Many people would question their safety in Guatemala but after arriving at the airport I headed towards Antigua and found one of the most extravagant Easter celebrations I have ever seen. Hundreds of people were marching the cobblestone streets of Antigua. This is known as Holy Week or Semana Santa in Spanish.

For a full week, the former capital of Guatemala prepares for weeklong processions to mark the moment when the Spaniards arrived in Guatemala in 1524. These are religious and cultural festivities that host a mix of both Spanish and indigenous traditions. People from all over the country and other parts of the world come to witness the event. You can find elaborate floats and beautifully colored carpets made out of flowers and other natural items.

With places like Hotel Casa Santo Domingo , you have great options to stay nearby and you can even find some tasty street food. If you prefer to eat indoors, The Sky Café is a great place to go for a bite to eat and offers 360-degree views of the town and surrounding volcanos. All in all, Antigua, Guatemala makes a great place to visit if looking for a unique cultural event during Eastertime.

PRO TIP:  To avoid disappointment book your accommodation in Antigua during Semana Santa weeks or even months before the event (which is usually held in April) as beds in all hotels get fully booked every year.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget your travel insurance. Protect yourself and your trip. With World Nomads, which is what I use, you can get a free quote!

If you are wanting to travel at Easter, hopefully, we have given you destination inspiration. If you are already traveling to one of these places for Easter, hopefully, this gives you ideas for your itinerary. Either way…happy traveling and Happy Easter!

Have you spent Easter in any of these places? If not, which would be your top pick to visit during Holy Week?

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Similar Posts

Luxury Accommodations: 15 First Class Hotels From Around the World

Looking to book that long-awaited luxury getaway and wanting to have that unforgettable, dream hotel experience? I know just the place! I am sharing my personal list of 4 and 5-star luxury stays from across the globe including Canada, Europe, Asia, South America and right here in the United States!

Summer in Boston: A Boston Bucket List Itinerary

Summer in Boston is absolutely beautiful with colorful flowers in bloom and green sprawling parks surrounding rich historical landmarks. Also, gorgeous sunsets on the water and a fantastic food and drink scene. Use this Boston bucket list to plan your ultimate adventure!

Charleston at Christmas: Southern Holiday Charm Inspiration

If you’re traveling to Charleston at Christmas, you’re in for a real treat. The city comes alive with true southern holiday charm and there’s so much to see and do! From the plantation houses to churches and a holiday festival of lights, there’s something to warm everyone’s heart!

New York City: My Amazing First Solo Trip to the Big Apple + How to Plan Yours

If you’re wanting to take that first solo trip but aren’t sure how to plan it, where to go or what to do, this guide is what you are looking for! The account of my first solo trip to NYC provides you with a great destination, gives you steps for planning and lays out a comprehensive itinerary!

Where To Stay For A Magical Experience in Banff, Canada

Have you always wanted to stay in a castle? The Fairmont Banff Springs is that fairytale place! Check out why it’s the magical place to stay in Banff!

3 Days in San Francisco: A Perfect Fall Getaway

Even if you don’t have much time, 3 days in San Francisco is long enough to experience this iconic city. It makes the perfect fall getaway due to fewer tourists and cool, crisp days. Read on to find out how to see San Francisco in a short amount of time!

10 Comments

We often find ourselves travelling at Easter as we are not yet back from escaping the winter cold in Toronto. So always good to look at new options. Spending Easter in Amsterdam with the colourful tulips in bloom would certain brighten my outlook. Sicily is moving higher on our travel list so Easter may be a good time to plan our visit. Roasted lamb for dinner would be a great Easter treat. Charleston might be an easy trip from home. But Mexico would certainly meet my hot temperature requirements. Thanks for some new thoughts for Easter planning.

Hi Linda-Amsterdam is beautiful at Easter but I can see how Mexico would meet the warm temperature requirement. I enjoy winter and don’t get much of it so I’m always looking for the opposite! Thanks for reading!:)

Since I live in Amsterdam I can agree that it is a lovely place for Easter! However, it is extremely busy and if you plan on visiting the tulips during this time you will be among hundreds of thousands of other locals and tourists. I’m intrigued by Mexico, looks so stunning and like the perfect place to celebrate Easter.

Hi Samantha-Yes I figured that out with Amsterdam as I spent last Easter there and purposefully planned to NOT be visiting the tulips on that specific day! Thanks for reading! 🙂

This is such a great collaboration post, featuring some wonderful destinations. I always travel in April, and it often falls over the Easter weekend. I would love to visit Amsterdam in the springtime to see those amazing tulip fields. I was there in the fall, and fell in love with that city. I actually have a stopover in Krakow on Good Friday and really wish I had more time to see the city before I catch a connecting flight to Croatia.

Hi Renee-Croatia is on my hot list too! But Amsterdam is fantastic at Easter. That’s where I spent the holiday last year. Like you, my first visit to Amsterdam was in the fall and I love it at that time too. Hope you have a great time this year in Croatia and thanks for reading! 🙂

Easter is such a busy time to travel anywhere in Australia as well as most people here generally get a 4 day weekend. We kind of see it as a great excuse for a holiday, rather than from any religious point of view. It’s interesting to see how so many other cultures celebrate Easter for those who want to go to a totally different destination and really do ‘Easter.’

Hi Emma-Yes, it is interesting to see all different holidays are celebrated around the world, isn’t it? Thanks for reading! 🙂

Such a timely post and all new places to me. Easter in Amsterdam with the colorful tulips in bloom definitely wins the heart! Never realized Mexico could be a choice too. Cultural experience with local restaurants and festivities is something I like. Week long processions in Guatemala seems like such a big celebrations, it will be great to witness that.

Hi Indrani-Easter in Amsterdam is fabulous! I was there last year for it and wish I was going again. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

WHO DOESN'T LOVE COOKIES?

Privacy overview.

Pinoy Trekker

• Travel & Lifestyle

Planning the Best Holy Week Vacation: Top Picks and Safety Insights

Explore Prestone’s top picks for destinations and gain valuable safety insights to ensure a memorable and worry-free holiday

PT  |  Planning the Best Holy Week Vacation: Top Picks and Safety Insights | Pasig City, Philippines – [March 01, 2023] –  As Holy Week approaches, Filipinos eagerly anticipate memorable road trips with their families and friends. This period of relaxation and reflection is best enjoyed in a peaceful and stress-free manner, making the preparation of your vehicle essential before embarking on your journey.

If you’re still in the process of planning your well-deserved holy week vacation, Prestone®, a renowned and trusted brand in Auto Care fluids since 1927, has curated a list of unique destinations, accompanied by practical car care tips to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for you and your loved ones.

Spend a night with nature through glamping in Zambales

Glamping, a combination of the words ‘glam’ and ‘camping,’ is the latest trend among those who want to experience a glamorous version of camping—perfect for those in need of a break from the bustling chaos of the city.

One of the famous sites you can visit is located in San Felipe, Zambales, called The Glamp. The glamping site features boho-themed tents, making it a top choice for those who appreciate the stylish aesthetic for their pictures. The site is also near the beach, which is a plus if you’re looking for more recreational activities aside from relaxing underneath the beautiful summer sky.

Seek solitude on an island in Pangasinan

If you seek solitude and tranquility on a secluded islet, then the beach at the heart of Pangasinan is perfect for you. Colibra Island in Dasol, Pangasinan, boasts clear white sands and rock formations that surround the island, providing a perfect view for relaxation.

The advantage of this island is it’s not well known among typical tourists, ensuring a lack of crowds even during peak seasons. Moreover, the place becomes even more enchanting at night, making it perfect for stargazing and appreciating the vastness of the open sky.

Experience a healing hike in the mountains of Sierra Madre

If you’re seeking a unique and rewarding adventure, consider testing your strength and patience on a mountain hike. Fortunately, a beginner-friendly trail is accessible in the highlands of Tanay called Mt. Kulis. This mountain offers a scenic view at a height of 620 MASL and is well-known among outdoor enthusiasts.

One advantage of Mt. Kulis is that you can customize your hiking experience, and there’s a cemented road leading to the jump-off point for easy parking. Once you start, the trail is easy, and you can also explore various attractions along the way, providing opportunities for aesthetic pictures.

Prepare yourself and your ride for the best holy week adventure

Why ruin the joy of vacations with stress over an unpleasant car ride? That is why Prestone urges everyone to perform a thorough check before embarking on your next adventure.

Given that these listed destinations involve substantial driving, it’s crucial to conduct comprehensive research on your route, considering traffic hotspots and rest stops. Additionally, ensure your RFID sticker is in working order for seamless and secure transactions during toll payments, promising a more convenient travel experience. Don’t forget to securely stick your RFID sticker to avoid non-detection and register it under the vehicle owner’s name for accountability.

Check the necessary fluids of your car

Road trips can take a toll on your vehicle, so careful preparation is key to avoiding trouble. Prevent overheating on the road by using Prestone Car-Specific Coolant for superior protection. This convenient, high-quality, prediluted coolant is ideal for emergency refills and is equipped with Prestone Cor-Guard Anti-Corrosion technology, offering 5X more effective corrosion protection.

For added safety, equip your ride with a powerful brake fluid like Prestone Brake Fluid DOT 3. Formulated for safe, dependable, and consistent performance in the hydraulic brake system, it helps protect your brakes against overheating, brake fade, and performance decline.

Use high-quality and genuine car care products

During a holy week road trip, ensuring your vehicle is in its tip-top condition is crucial, and this won’t happen if you use subpar or counterfeit car products.

“If you aim to protect your car and withstand unforeseen accidents or costly repairs, Prestone emphasizes the importance of using genuine products designed specifically to meet your vehicle’s needs,” said Monique Gonzalez, Marketing Manager for Clorox Southeast Asia.

Here are the 3Ps you should note for your protection:

• Packaging:  Detecting counterfeit products can be tricky as they often mimic the appearance of the genuine item at first glance. Here is a quick guide on fake vs genuine that you can refer to:
• Price:  Significantly cheaper products are likely fake compared to genuine Prestone products. If they are marketed as discounts, please double-check if Prestone is having a promotional sale. If not, it’s probably fake.
• Place:  Purchase only from official Prestone partner stores like Blade, Ace, Handyman, TrueValue and auto-supply shops nationwide.

These reminders not only save potential costs but also save lives.  Para sa totoong proteksyon , use genuine Prestone products only.

The best Holy Week vacation begins with meticulous planning and maintaining your car in optimal condition. By considering these Holy Week destinations, along with these safety tips, you will not only guarantee a delightful journey but also elevate your driving experience.

To learn more about Prestone and its products, visit its website at  https://www.prestone.com.ph/ .  You can also visit the official Prestone  Facebook  page for valuable insights on identifying genuine Prestone products.

Related Stories

LifeWave Philippines: Celebrating 5 Years of Wellness with X39

Travel Madness Expo 2024: The Ultimate event to look forward to!

Wynn Resorts Receives 22 Five-Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide on 2024 List 

Caltex Launches Carbon Offset Program for Filipino Motorists

Mazda Adopts North American Charging Standard (NACS) for North American BEVs

Mo & Bear PH: Bringing Quality Products to Filipino Homes

You may have missed.

Look! Love The Philippines Awards in BGC!

Stubborn Travel.

Holy Week in Andalusia: travel tips for a great Semana Santa

Considering spending Holy Week in Andalusia? Get prepared with travel tips and notes on what to expect during this special time.

Table of Contents

I recently traveled to Andalusia for Holy Week over Easter. Also known as Semana Santa, Holy Week typically falls in late March or early April, depending on where Easter is that year.

If you’re planning to travel to Spain during this extraordinary time, get ready for a cultural and religious extravaganza like no other. That said, given the huge crowds it brings, a little preparation will go a long way. In this blog, I’ll share our travel itinerary and experience, alongside some tips for making the best of this vibrant celebration in Spain.

Holy Week in Andalusia: Where to go, and what to expect

How is holy week celebrated in spain.

The way Holy Week is celebrated ranges according to where in Spain it takes place. You can usually expect a mix of:

Processions : although the crowds around processions can be overwhelming, the Holy Week processions are really impressive. Participants, known as penitents or nazarenos, dress in traditional robes and hoods, while carrying heavy religious statues (pasos) on elaborately decorated floats. The processions wind through the streets, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of drums and brass bands. They’re a sight to behold, although they can make getting around difficult, as they can block main streets and last for hours. Many city centres will be pedestrian-only as a result.

Because the processions are such a big part of Holy Week in Andalusia, towns and cities with big celebrations will often have schedules of the processions available. Our hotel had paper copies at the reception, so that we could plan our routes and adapt our schedule.

Music and Choirs : Many processions are accompanied by religious music, played by bands or sung by choirs. In Granada, the processions could only move when the music was playing. It ranged from solemn chants, traditional hymns and uplifting marches. The music really enhanced the spiritual ambiance, and could be heard from an impressive distance away.

Religious Ceremonies : Churches may hold special religious ceremonies, including Masses, Stations of the Cross, and Passion Plays, and retelling the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. These ceremonies are attended by both locals and visitors.

Depending on the place, there may be additional artistic displays, either standalone or as part of the processions. Some regions in Spain also prepare specific dishes associated with Lenten season, such as potaje de vigilia (a lenten stew) and torrijas (a type of French toast). And as expected, Holy Week is often a time that families and relatives reunite to share meals, attend processions, make pilgrimages, or simply celebrate the time off.

What are the Holy Week costumes, and what do they represent?

There are several types of costumes you’ll see during Holy Week, and each is rooted in religious symbolism. The clothing people wear in the processions reflect the themes of penance, humility, faith and solidarity with the suffering of Christ.

Robes called nazarenos are typically long, hooded garments that completely cover the body. They signify humility, penance, and solidarity with Christ’s suffering.

The distinctive pointed hoods are called capirotes , and cover most of a person’s face. They’re intended to conceal the identity of the penitents, while symbolizing their willingness to sacrifice their individuality and merge with the collective religious experience.

Procession participants will often be seen carrying candles or crosses as they walk, and you might see streets lined in wax as a result. Candles represent faith and the light of Christ, while crosses signify the crucifixion and redemption.

Women may wear lace veils ( mantillas) , particularly in Andalusia, to symbolize mourning. And you’ll see different colors and symbols throughout the whole celebration – black often represents penance, mourning and the sorrow of the crucifixion, while white is associated with purity, resurrection and joy.

Depending on where you are, you might also see symbols and insignia on banners, medals or displays. These will range according to location and which brotherhood ( cofradía ) has organised the procession. The symbols will often be symbols of specific saints, religious events, or the historical legacy of the brotherhood.

While the hoods may cause tourists to conjure images of a certain American hate group, it’s really important to note that any resemblance is purely coincidental. Suggestions that there is a connection between the penitents and the KKK is really offensive in Spain, where Holy Week costumes are deeply rooted in Catholic traditions and date back centuries.

Where is Holy Week celebrated in Spain?

Holy Week is celebrated in one form or another all over Spain, but some of the most renowned Semana Santa celebrations take place in the following destinations:

• Seville : famous for its elaborate and grand processions, Seville’s Semana Santa is known for religious fervor, elaborate pasos (religious statues), and emotional atmosphere.
• Malaga : Malaga comes alive with processions featuring impressive pasos and passionate participants dressed in traditional attire.
• Granada : Characterized by its rich Moorish heritage, Granada’s Semana Santa features breathtaking processions that wind through the ancient streets of the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods. The Alhambra Palace provides a stunning backdrop to the festivities.
• Cordoba : In Cordoba, processions pass through the narrow streets of the historic Jewish Quarter, adding to the charm of the celebrations.
• Toledo : Holy Week in Toledo offers a more intimate and traditional experience. The processions wind through the medieval streets of this ancient city, creating a spiritual and cultural ambiance.

Semana Santa is also celebrated in Valladolid, Zamora, Salamanca, Leon, and Cartagena, among many others. Each destination showcases its own customs, traditions, and unique cultural heritage during this special week.

We spent our Holy Week in Andalusia, across Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

Logistics: what do I need to know about spending Holy Week in Andalusia?

Book accommodation early.

Due to the popularity of Holy Week in Spain, places get booked up quickly, and you’ll want to book early. Hotels and rental properties tend to fill up quickly and be more expensive than usual, especially in cities known for their Semana Santa celebrations. Make sure you secure a booking early to avoid last-minute hassles.

Plan transportation in advance

If you’re planning to do a bit of travelling, keep in mind that transportation schedules may be altered during Holy Week due to road closures and processions. Plan your travel arrangements accordingly, allowing extra time for potential delays. We found trains to be more expensive than usual, and buses getting booked up way faster than normal. We travelled a lot with Alsa as a result, and found the buses to be clean and perfectly comfortable.

Again, planning your journeys in advance will be a big help.

Be aware that getting around may be more difficult

Navigating the cities can be a challenge, even on foot. Because the processions block large parts of main streets for hours at a time, it’s easy to get stuck if you’re trying to cross to a different part of the town or city. We were 45 minutes late for one dinner reservation because we were on one side of a main road, a procession went on for several kilometres, and the crowds made it impossible to get to the other side. The main streets will be closed to cars, so it’s best not to rely on taxis or Ubers to get anywhere central.

Prepare for crowds

As you may have gathered by now, cities and towns can get VERY crowded. If you get easily overwhelmed by big crowds – as I do – you may find it difficult. You might consider giving it a skip, limiting the amount of days you spend in Spain during Holy Week, or opting for a hotel with a balcony on a main street, so you can watch the processions without needing to brave the crowds. We skipped town one day and went hiking as a result –

Find out procession schedules

Familiarising yourself with the procession schedule will also make life easier, as you’ll be able to plan for the processions you want to see, and avoid the ones you don’t. Keep in mind that they can take place throughout the day and night (in Granada, some went on until 4 or 5am), so knowing when and where they pass might also help you choose a hotel where you can get some good sleep.

Plan, plan, plan

The rule of thumb is to plan as much as you can in advance. Plan hotels, transport, and even restaurants, if there’s somewhere you really want to discover. Certain days of Holy Week are crazier than others, so research you manage expectations. If you’re unsure, just ask! Hotels, tourists boards and guest houses will be more than happy to help.

Overall…

Traveling during Holy Week in Spain offers a unique and vibrant window into Spanish religious and cultural traditions. However, you’ll need to plan more thoroughly to avoid spending lots of cash and being caught off guard.

Crowds also aren’t for everyone, and may very well influence your decision to visit during this special time. Still, by being well-prepared, respectful, and flexible, you can fully immerse yourself and experience a vibrant atmosphere like nothing else.

As always, thanks for reading. And if you’ve made it down to here, I’d love to know:

• What else would you like to know about Holy Week in Andalusia?
• Would you visit during this time?
• If you’ve been, where did you go and what was your experience?

In case you’d like an itinerary, that’ll be my next blog post. Subscribe to my newsletter to get it in your inbox as soon as it comes out!

Share this:

What is the weather in Sicily like?

Your Sicily holiday: how to plan the perfect trip

London to Barcelona by train: what are the routes and how much do they cost?

Destinations on the Eurostar: where will the trains take you?

Leave a reply cancel reply, one response to “holy week in andalusia: travel tips for a great semana santa”.

[…] was recently (April, 2023) in Andalusia for Semana Santa (more on that here), and had three cities on my itinerary: Sevilla, Granada, and Cordoba. I needed a way to get around […]

Discover more from Stubborn Travel.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Peso Lab - Money Guide for Filipinos

Complete Guide to Holy Week in the Philippines

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country where the observance of Holy Week holds profound significance. Holy Week, which culminates in Easter Sunday, is a time for devout religious practices, family gatherings, and unique cultural traditions.

It is a period when cities become quieter, and the faithful take part in solemn rituals that commemorate the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various aspects of Holy Week in the Philippines, from religious observances to cultural traditions and popular destinations.

The Significance of Holy Week in the Philippines

Holy Week is the most sacred and spiritually significant time in the Catholic calendar in the Philippines. It begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. This period commemorates the final week of Jesus Christ’s life, from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection.

The observance of Holy Week is a time for devout Catholics to reflect on their faith, seek penance, and participate in various religious activities. It is also an occasion for families to come together and for communities to express their faith through rituals and traditions.

Religious Observances

Palm sunday.

Holy Week commences with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Catholics attend Mass to have palm leaves blessed, and these palm fronds are then taken home as a symbol of blessing and protection. Many people fashion the palms into intricate designs or crosses and display them in their homes.

Visita Iglesia (Church Visits)

Visita Iglesia is a tradition where Catholics visit seven different churches on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. This practice is a form of pilgrimage and penance, with prayers and reflections offered at each church. Many churches in the Philippines are beautifully illuminated and decorated during Holy Week, making them popular destinations for visitors.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples. It is a day of reflection and prayer. In the evening, many communities participate in the reenactment of the Washing of the Feet, symbolizing humility and service.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the most solemn day of Holy Week. Many Catholics engage in acts of penance and self-sacrifice, such as fasting and attending the Stations of the Cross, which depict the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion. In some areas, the reenactment of the Passion of Christ takes place, with devotees portraying biblical characters.

Black Saturday and Easter Vigil

Black Saturday is a day of silence and reflection, as it marks the day when Jesus lay in the tomb. In the evening, the Easter Vigil Mass is held, celebrating the resurrection of Christ. This is one of the most important liturgical events in the Catholic calendar, with the blessing of the Easter fire, the lighting of the Paschal candle, and the singing of the “Exsultet” or Easter Proclamation

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day of feasting, attending Mass, and exchanging greetings of “Christ is risen!” and “He is risen indeed!” Many Filipino families prepare special meals and delicacies to share with loved ones and guests.

Unique Filipino Traditions

Senakulo (passion play).

Senakulo is a dramatic reenactment of the Passion of Christ, often performed in communities during Holy Week. It involves local actors and performers who portray biblical characters. These plays can be highly elaborate, drawing large crowds of spectators.

Pabasa ng Pasyon

Pabasa ng Pasyon is a continuous chanting or singing of the “Pasyon,” an epic narrative of the life, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ. This tradition can go on for hours or even days, with devotees taking turns to sing or read verses from the “Pasyon” book.

Processions

Processions are a common sight during Holy Week in the Philippines. Statues depicting various scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the Santo Entierro (Dead Christ) and the Virgen Dolorosa (Sorrowful Virgin), are paraded through the streets. Some processions are known for their elaborate and ornate carriages, as well as the dramatic performances of participants.

Popular Holy Week Destinations

Quiapo church, manila.

Quiapo Church, officially known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is one of the most visited churches during Holy Week. It is home to the revered Black Nazarene statue, which is believed to have miraculous powers. Devotees flock to the church for the procession of the Black Nazarene on Good Friday.

San Fernando, Pampanga

San Fernando is famous for its vivid and dramatic Good Friday processions. The city is known for the annual Crucifixion reenactment, where penitents voluntarily undergo crucifixion as an act of faith and penance. This tradition has gained international attention.

Antipolo, Rizal

Antipolo is home to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje) shrine. During Holy Week, many pilgrims make the journey to Antipolo to seek the blessings and protection of the Virgin Mary.

Iguig, Cagayan

Iguig is known for its life-sized Stations of the Cross along the Cagayan River. Pilgrims visit the area to pray and meditate as they traverse the stations, making it a serene and reflective Holy Week destination.

Travel Tips for Holy Week in the Philippines

Plan Ahead: Holy Week is a peak travel period in the Philippines. If you intend to visit popular destinations during this time, make reservations for accommodations and transportation well in advance.

Respect Local Customs: Be mindful of local customs and religious practices. Dress modestly when visiting churches and participating in religious activities.

Stay Hydrated: The Philippines can be hot and humid, so carry water and sunscreen, especially if you plan to attend outdoor processions or activities.

Experience Local Cuisine: Holy Week is an excellent time to savor traditional Filipino dishes and delicacies that are prepared during this season, such as binignit, puto, and suman.

Travel Responsibly: Help maintain the cleanliness and solemnity of the places you visit. Dispose of trash properly and respect the environment.

Similar Posts

Best Budget Gaming Phone Philippines 2023

When most Filipinos are bored, they turn to online gaming, especially after the COVID-19lockdown. With these online games, numerous Android phone developers launched gaming phones; and many Filipinos were enticed to purchase a gaming phone; however, some of these gaming phones were extremely expensive.If you enjoy online gaming and want to buy a gaming phone…

Best Pocket Wifi in the Philippines 2023

As much as we wish we could take our Wi-Fi routers with us everywhere we go, it is actually not possible to do so – unless our Wi-Fi service providers will develop something that could make it possible. Although it may sound absurd, Wi-Fi has already become a part of our daily life, making us…

How much is Netflix in the Philippines?

As the world advances in so many aspects to provide support, comfort and convenience to our daily needs, the entertainment industry has come to that age wherein people can now enjoy streaming their favorite TV shows and movies. Not only that, gone are the days that people needed to wait for months to be able…

Best Affordable Buffet Restaurants in Makati, Philippines 2023

Craving for different cuisines which you can find in one place? Anticipating unlimited access to beef, pork, chicken, or seafood? Dying to indulge your sweet tooth in the different dessert selections but do not have an idea where to spot them? Let us introduce you to one particular city where you can have it all!…

Cheapest Cities to Live in the Philippines

The Philippines is known for its wealth of stunning beaches and delectable goods. There is no doubt that the Philippines is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world; you may pick from a variety of cities in the Philippines that offer low cost of living.  One of the easiest ways to reduce…

What are the Best Online Pharmacies in the Philippines?

“As a vital part of the healthcare system, pharmacies play an important role in providing medicines, therapeutics, vaccines, and critical health services to the public.” – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) In 2020, the CDC recommended that patients look for alternate ways to pick up their medication from drug stores or pharmacies…

When In Manila Search

5 travel hacks for safer and stress-free holy week road trips.

Making travel plans during the Holy Week? The Philippine Holy Week long weekend is one of the most anticipated holidays yearly. It’s the time of the year when most travel out of town to reflect, unwind, and reunite with their families and friends. Last year,  NLEX saw a 10% to 15% increase in traffic volume , which is something to be expected this year. 

With the long weekend approaching, it’s important to be prepared for the road with the expected exodus of motorists filling in highways and expressways. 

Photo: MPT Mobility Corporation

Discover how you can have a safe, efficient, and hassle-free driving experience with these five travel hacks curated by MPT Mobility. 

Pre-plan your travel essentials

Before buckling up, it’s important to prepare what you’ll need on the road! Aside from your clothes and snacks, ensure you also bring a first aid or medicine kit. Long drives can get stressful and boring, so have a road trip playlist ahead as well to hype you up. And for those driving through NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CAVITEX, C5 Link Flyover, CALAX, and CCLEX, get an  Easytrip RFID or CCLEX RFID  installed and download the  MPT DriveHub app  for seamless drives while  NLEX Drive & Dine  can help you enjoy a break from your travels.

Get an RFID sticker for seamless drives in tollways

Since expressways in the country started implementing cashless toll collections, you can also hack your way into skipping cash lanes when you have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on your vehicle. This will help you have a more convenient entry and exit at toll plazas. 

Easytrip RFID and CCLEX RFID  are the must-have RFIDs that come in handy for effortless toll payments and faster travel in expressways. Having them installed on your vehicle will allow you to drive through RFID lanes in NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CAVITEX, C5 Link Flyover, CALAX, and CCLEX. If you don’t have an Easytrip RFID yet, simply visit any of the  Easytrip stations  and get it installed on-site. For the CCLEX RFID, you can go to any of the CCLEX customer service centers near the toll plaza. Once you have an account, you can load it up for your everyday travels.

Download a travel companion app for your driving needs

Another hack to make your travels faster and seamless? Having an app that can cover your driving needs.  MPT DriveHub app  has your back as your travel companion, especially when you have an Easytrip or CCLEX RFID account. It is MPT Mobility’s smart mobility solution as the all-in-one app to help you drive your way during the Holy Week long weekend or for your everyday travels. 

The MPT DriveHub app lets you conveniently  check your balance and reload your Easytrip RFID or CCLEX RFID account  by linking it to the app. The app offers lower transaction fees and various payment methods to top-up — from credit or debit card payments to PayMaya or GCash. On top of that, the minimum amount required when you reload using the app is only Php 1. 

What’s great about MPT DriveHub is that it’s got other handy features, such as getting  expressway traffic updates . Get alerted on-road situations by simply turning on your in-app notifications so you can save time and help you make informed decisions in your travels.

Sudden flat tire? Dead battery? Need towing? MPT DriveHub can also make you feel safer with its  roadside assistance  feature that enables users to call for help when emergencies like these happen. Simply open the app and get assistance on roadside emergencies within MPTC expressways anytime, anywhere!

Going on long drives can get tiring. Good thing the MPT DriveHub app’s  rest stop locator  can help you check the best stops along the way! Whether it’s for a quick restroom break, grabbing a bite to eat, fueling up, or stretching your legs, MPT DriveHub’s got you covered to give you a better driving experience. You can download it for free in the  App Store  and  Play Store .

Take breaks to recharge

Making stopovers is part of the journey. Speaking of rest stops,  NLEX Drive & Dine  is one not to be missed when driving back to Manila. Located Manila-bound in NLEX, it’s more than just a pit stop for you to gas up as it has an array of places to eat, shop, and relax. 

Enjoying good food makes travel more exciting. Whatever your craving is, you can find them at NLEX Drive & Dine! From scrumptious steaks from The Beef Deli, makis from Aibou Japanese Restaurant, or a coffee break in Starbucks or Cafe France, have your fill to fuel your journey. 

Feast your eyes as well on premium retail stores where you can splurge or window shop. Get fashion finds from stores like Nike Factory Outlet, Giordano, or Casio.  

Take photos to flex your new fashion finds or simply unwind at NLEX Drive & Dine with its spacious and stellar amenities, such as ample parking space, clean restrooms, free WiFi, and comfortable seating areas. It’s the best place to fuel up and rest after all the traveling, eating, and shopping. 

Condition your car ready for long-distance driving

Travel preparation is more than just fueling up as it’s also making sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. Aside from the usual BLOWBAGETS checklist, make sure to schedule a Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) before hitting the road. Also, load up a spare tire and an automotive tool kit for quick repairs. Looking into these things will help save you from any trouble later on.

Driving during this long weekend is more than just traveling from point A to point B — it is also your journey to reflect and reconnect this Holy Week. With the help of MPT Mobility’s mobility solutions, you can make the Holy Week long weekend memorable, starting with the way you travel.

About The Author

For media partnerships, possible features or other inquiries, you can find answers on our "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) page here - WhenInManila.com/faq

• 1-800-206-tour (8687)
• --> --> --> --> --> --> Request a call
• --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> Contact us
• --> --> --> --> --> --> --> Request a call
• --> --> --> My Account
• What is a pilgrimage
• Know Before You Go
• Travel Insurance / Cancel for Any Reason
• 206 Tours Store
• Catholic Calendar
• Pilgrimages
• Canada (Montreal & Quebec)
• Canada & Mexico
• *Fatima, Spain & Lourdes
• Prague, Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest
• Netherlands, Belgium, Germany & Switzerland
• Croatia, Slovenia & Venice
• Marian Shrines Portugal, Spain & France
• Greece St. Paul, The Holy Land & Rome
• Lourdes, Paris & Lisieux
• Fatima, Spain & Lourdes
• Best Shrines of France
• Great Shrines of France
• Fatima, Spain, Lourdes & Paris
• Greece with Greek Isles Cruise
• Greece & The Holy Land
• Holy Land: Walk Where He Walked
• Jordan & The Holy Land
• Return to The Holy Land
• Luxury Holy Land - NEW
• Holy Land & the Shrines of Italy
• Holy Land, Fatima, Spain & Lourdes
• Eilat Pre or Post Tour - NEW
• Dubai Pre or Post Tour
• Scotland & Ireland
• Ireland & Medjugorje
• Shrines of Italy
• All Italian Shrines
• Classic Italy
• Faith & Food
• *Walking in the Way of St. Francis *A Walking Pilgrimage
• Newlywed Papal Blessing
• Jordan, The Holy Land & Medjugorje
• Medjugorje Mini Stay
• Medjugorje & Dubrovnik
• Medjugorje, Dubrovnik & Split
• Our Lady of Guadalupe & Mexico
• Mexico & Cancun
• Canada & Mexico & Cancun
• Poland: Footsteps of Saint John Paul II
• Poland, Prague, Austria & Budapest
• Poland & Prague
• Fatima, Spain, Lourdes & Shrines of Italy
• Fatima Retreat
• *The Way of St. James - El Camino *A Walking Pilgrimage
• Shrines of Spain
• Carmelite Experience in Spain
• Legendary Danube River Cruise
• Eilat Pre or Post Tour
• 2020 - Oberammergau Passion Play
• All Regularly Scheduled Pilgrimage Tours
• Custom Tours
• Build a Tour
• Independent Travel
• Terms & Conditions
• Cancel for Any Reason
• Destination Information
• Shrine Facts
• Advantages to booking with 206 Tours
• Holy Days Calendar
• Airports (add-on rates)
• Job Opportunities
• Online Brochure
• Request a Brochure
• Pilgrim Bag Photo Contest
• 206 Tours Blog
• Access Account
• Change Password
• Payment Options
• Payment Plan
• Special Offers
• Gift Certificate
• What is a Pilgrimage?
• Why 206 Tours?
• Client Letters / Testimonials
• 206 Tours Supports
• Privacy Policy
• Travel Agents
• www.206viajes.com
• How to Make a Booking
• About 206 Tours
• [email protected]
• 1-800-206-8687
• iSe Habla Espanol
• Organize a Group
• Promote a Group
• Hosting a Group Meeting
• Members of Clergy
• Reqest a call

The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Catholic Pilgrimages & Spiritual Journeys to the World’s Holiest Sites with 206 Tours.

Holy Week Pilgrimage

Holy Week is the most solemn, and meaningful, time of the year for Catholics. For centuries, Catholics have reenacted the events of Holy Week in homage to Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice for us.

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visiting the sites of Holy Week, is an incredible way to connect deeply in prayer to Jesus. Below, you will see a brief breakdown of how modern-day Pilgrims (like early Christians before them) who are “literally” following in Jesus’s footsteps, remembering Holy Week, and Christ’s Passion in the very places where it took place:

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Jesus made His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem while riding a donkey. He was welcomed by crowds who worshiped Him and laid down palms before Him, before making His way to Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Tour 111 visits Jerusalem and Bethany on Day 7.

On Tuesday, from the  Mt. of Olives , Jesus looked out over Jerusalem and spoke to his Disciples of the imminent destruction that would befall the city.  Dominus Flevit  is a Church that now sits on the Mt. of Olives, commemorating the spot where Jesus wept for the city of Jerusalem. On Tuesday night, Judas conspires to betray Jesus.

Tour 111 visits Mt. of Olives and Dominus Flevit on Day 8. 

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, Jesus and his Disciples celebrate the Last Supper in the  Upper Room on Mt. Zion .  At night, Jesus goes to the  Garden of Gethsemane  and prays in agony, alone, before his arrest. The Garden sits at the foot of the Mount of Olives, and still contains trees whose roots date back to the time of Jesus. Now, the  Church of All Nations  stands over the  Rock of Agony .

He was then taken to the house of the High Priest, Caiaphas, where He was examined and eventually imprisoned. This is now the site of the  Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu  as it commemorates Peter’s denial of Christ (three times) and Jesus’ forgiveness.

Tour 111 visits the Upper Room on Mt. Zion, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations (Rock of Agony), and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (House of Caiaphas) on Day 8.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate at the  Antonia Fortress . Pilgrims who visit the Holy Land walk the true  Via Dolorosa , or, The Way of The Cross. The starting point is the same as where Jesus’s  Road to Calvary  began. The Stations of the Cross has you traveling through the markets of the Old City. The  Church of the Holy Sepulchre  marks the sacred destination that is  Calvary , Jesus’s Crucifixion site, and His  Tomb .

Tour 111 walks the Via Dolorosa on Day 9 ending in Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead in the miracle of His Resurrection, and visited two of his Disciples at what Luke describes as  Emmaus . What is now the Church of the Resurrection, in  Abou Gosh  , it is believed to be the site of Jesus’s Resurrection.

Tour 211 visits Emmaus on Day 10. 

The Holy Land is a deeply sacred place for all Catholics. Visits to the sites where Jesus lived and died bring the scriptures to life, like nothing else. Join us on one of our many departures to the Holy Land on  Tour 111, Where Jesus Walked  or  Tour 211, Return to the Holy Land .

Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe: What a Graceful Ride!

Lost Luggage: What To Do If This Happens to You

Dr. Dara: The First Conversion of Medjugorje

Events Calendar for the 2025 Jubilee Year

Prepare Him Room Through Pilgrimage

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

206 Tours Pilgrims

What is a 206 Tours Pilgrimage Like?

“To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself” – Pope Benedict XVI

RECOMMENDED

Lost Luggage: What To Do If This Ha...

Bethlehem, Sea of Galilee & Je...

Join over 400,000 faithful Pilgrims and get exclusive travel tips, giveaways and more!

POPULAR POSTS

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

4 Safe and Meaningful Ways to Observe Holy Week in the New Normal

How did you spend the Holy Week during the pandemic?

You may have spent the last two years cooped up in your own home—waiting and praying for the pandemic to end so you can observe Holy Week the “normal” way you would.

Like you, many Filipinos missed visiting churches, going to prayer mountains, or simply spending a relaxing vacation with their loved ones.

Things will be a bit different this year.

As travel restrictions ease, churches have resumed religious activities while more and more people are travelling. In fact, the Manila Bulletin has reported that the government is preparing for the biggest Holy Week traffic surge.

If you’re wondering how you can spend a safe and meaningful Holy Week during the new normal, consider these 4 ways:

1. Spend time with God

The world needs your prayers, always .

Whether as an individual or as a family, the new normal is a season to spend more time with God. Close that door, open the Bible, and meditate on God’s Word.

Ask, “What have I learned during the pandemic? How can those experiences lead me closer to God? Jesus, what can I do to be more like You today?”

Apart from praying for protection, provision, and continuous healing of this nation, may your prayer times be as what CBN suggests on their article titled  Lent: What Is It Good For?   The days of Lent and Holy Week are a time of meditation, fasting and repentance. It’s a time to wage war against desires that may be contrary to God’s Word.

2. Spend time with family

Spending quality time with your family is one of the many things you can do during the Holy Week.

It doesn’t have to be a lavish out-of-town trip. You may simply gather at home and watch shows that foster good family values like forgiveness , or shows that teach what it means to give and share love like Jesus .

It could be a perfect time to express love, restore relationships, and create meaningful conversations with your family members.

3. Be wise and obedient

As you set foot once again onto the busy roads, remember that the threat of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus is still present.

Stay informed about the rules implemented in your community, churches, and the places you plan to visit—and obey them accordingly. Spend a safe and meaningful Holy Week by observing basic rules such as wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.

Show how you value your God-given life and the lives of others. This Holy Week, honor God through your actions wherever you go.

4. Extend help

Aside from spending time with your loved ones, God also calls His people to show compassion to those who are in need.

You might feel as if the pandemic is over. You might think that everything is going back to normal. But truth is, many of your kababayans are still struggling because of the pandemic.

Observe a meaningful Holy Week by sharing hope to families in need. Support them by giving to humanitarian organizations, like Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines . As you experience more of Jesus this Holy Week, let others experience His love through you.

May you have a safe and a meaningful Holy Week!

Do you want to know more about Jesus, and the real meaning and importance of Holy Week in your life?

Know Jesus by visiting this page.

If you need prayers and encouragement, we are here for you. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or send your prayer requests to [email protected] .

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent News & Stories

Superbook Shares the Gospel to the Aeta Community

How to Start a New Life from a Messed-Up Past

Luke Conde, Rain Matienzo Star as Pandemic Lovers in CBN Asia’s Holy Week Special, “Tugon”

Read all news & stories, ministry cta, do you want to be part of this ministry.

KNOW JESUS?

Find peace, healing, and restoration here.

Grow in your relationship with God.

Grow in Your Relationship with God.

Life with God does not stop with just acknowledging Him as your Lord and Savior. These resources will help you grow in that relationship with Him.

Need Prayer Call to Action

Need prayer.

We are here to help and encourage you! Send a prayer request now or reach out through the numbers below.

Footer Links

Nationwide (Calls Only)

Manila Office

Cebu Office (11AM-8PM only)

GenSan Office (7AM-4PM)

• Promos & Events
• What's New
• Our Helpful Journey
• Find an ACE Near You
• Call & Collect

travel - March 15, 2024

Essential Holy Week Road Trip Tips

Holy Week is a sacred time for reflection and family, often calling for a well-deserved getaway. For many Filipinos, a road trip becomes the perfect avenue to explore the country and celebrate the holidays. However, amidst the surge in traffic and other unique challenges, arranging a seamless and stress-free Holy Week road trip becomes important. Here are essential tips to guarantee a remarkable journey!  

 Planning Your Holy Week Road Trip  

Choosing the Right Route:  During Holy Week, popular destinations can become congested. Research alternative routes to sidestep heavy traffic, and leverage traffic navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps.  

Ensuring Roadworthiness:  Prior to embarking on any extensive journey, enlist the services of a professional mechanic to inspect your vehicle thoroughly. This encompasses checking fluids, tires, brakes, and confirming that all lights function correctly.  

Handling Increased Traffic:  Anticipate longer travel times due to the surge in vehicles on the road. Strategically plan your travel time, considering departing earlier than usual to evade peak traffic hours, especially in and around Metro Manila.  

Food and Water:  Pack ample food and water for the journey, particularly when covering long distances. Consider including non-perishable snacks and refillable water bottles to stay hydrated and minimize reliance on potentially crowded stopovers during peak season.  

Pick up a reliable jug, such as the  Orocan 2L Jug in Blue , available at ACE Hardware, to keep your hydration needs in check throughout your journey.  

Emergency Preparedness:  Ensure your vehicle is fully equipped to handle any unexpected situations on the road by stocking up on essential items such as a spare tire, jack, and basic emergency tools.   

At ACE Hardware, you'll find a diverse range of products designed to enhance your preparedness, including car jump starters , tire inflator , automotive tools , and spare gasoline can for fuel emergencies. Don't wait until it's too late – grab yours before hitting the road to ensure you're always ready for whatever comes your way.  

Ensuring a Smooth and Stress-Free Drive  

Road Safety:  Adhere to road safety guidelines for long trips. This includes ensuring adequate rest before driving, avoiding distractions, and adhering to speed limits and traffic rules.  

GPS Navigation:  A reliable GPS navigation system proves invaluable, especially in unfamiliar areas. Download offline maps in advance to counter limited internet access on the road.  

Taking Breaks:  Schedule regular breaks to combat fatigue and ensure everyone in the car remains comfortable. Capitalize on rest stops to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and refresh.  

By diligently following these tips and meticulously planning your journey, you can transform your Holy Week road trip into an unforgettable and hassle-free experience. Remember to prioritize safety, cherish every moment of the journey, and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit!  

Ensure you're fully prepared for your road trip by visiting ACE Hardware stores near you. Find the nearest store using our  ACE Hardware Store Locator !  

• ACE Rewards
• air purifier
• angle grinder
• carbon monoxide alarm
• Christmas cleaning
• cleaning mop and bucket
• duster for home cleaning
• dustpan and broom
• energy saving home appliances
• environmentally-friendly
• fire extinguisher
• fire prevention
• fire safety
• food preparation
• garden tools
• garden tools and equipment
• growing media
• home cleaning tools
• home hardware
• home improvement
• home repair
• home safety
• household cleaning mops
• insect killer
• installation
• led light bulb
• maintenance
• microfiber cleaning towels
• microfiber duster
• organizer box
• paint roller
• pest control
• pet essentials
• plant hormone
• power drill
• power tools
• power washer
• rechargeable
• SM Advantage Card
• smoke alarm
• storage box
• storage boxes
• sustainable
• sustainable practices at home
• tire inflator
• vacuum cleaner
• vertical garden
• wall anchor
• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
• Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device

• Are You Being Spoofed? Here are Some Telltale Signs
• 5 Reminders for a Smooth and Easy Road Trip Adventure
• 5 Smart Budget Hacks for the Summer Season
• Best Holy Week Vacation | Top Picks and Safety Tips
• Four Ways to Show Care and Affection this Love Month
• Three Quick Ways to Spot a Fake Online Seller
• Make the Most of Your BPI App with These 4 Pro Tips
• 4 Essential Car Care Tips for Superior Performance
• 7 Fast Facts About Nicotine Pouches
• How to Load Your Globe, TM and Prepaid WiFi Online
• Road Safety Tips for Your Holiday Family Adventure
• How To Achieve Job Hunting Success with Jobstreet by SEEK
• What is the Globe Traveler eSIM and How to Get It?
• A Topnotcher’s Guide to Passing Board & Licensure Exams
• Tips for Getting an Accurate Appraisal on Vintage Jewelry
• Why Take Night Classes at Mapúa MCM
• Four Baby Steps to an Eco-Friendly Household
• 6 Tips to Make the Most of Your Globe Mobile Data
• 5 Ways to Equip Kids to Become Environment Champions
• 4 Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials to Bring on Your Next Trip
• Uniqlo Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Type of Dad
• 6 Corny Dad Jokes That Will Make You Smile
• Simple Self-Care Tips For You and the Environment
• If a 7.0 Earthquake Strikes, Can Your Building Survive It?
• Why Choosing a Career, Not a Course, is More Important
• Four Tips For a Worry-Free Travel Adventure This Summer
• GCash Makes Your Travel Plans Worry-Free – Here’s How.
• 5 Skills That Will Benefit Jobseekers in 2023
• 5 Adulting Purchases You Can Make With GGives
• 5 Easy Steps to Realize Your Dream Home
• 4 Thrill-Seeking Activities to Try on Your Next Me-Time Trip
• How to Deal With a Vertical or Horizontal Job Mismatch
• The 10 Most Played Board Games of All Time
• 6 Smart Ways to Spend Your First Paycheck
• A Guide on Fostering Workplace Inclusivity
• Common Pitfalls When Buying a Car Insurance
• Easy Tips to Keep Everything Safe Before Leaving Home
• 5 Company Culture Must-Haves in the New Age of Work
• How to Successfully Transition from College to the Workforce
• Perfect Gifts for the 7 Types of Dads on Father’s Day
• 4 Ways To Turn Your Passion Into Something Valuable
• Cashless Travel Hacks for a Hassle-Free Summer Vacation
• 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time in the New Normal
• Here’s Why It’s Important to Adopt a Cleaning Calendar
• Meal Prepping 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• Three Tips for a Worry-Free Long Weekend Vacation
• 3 Simple Ways to Nurture Your Inner Peace at Home
• 11 Questions to Ask Yourself to Check Your Online Habit
• How to Properly Care For Your Air Purifier
• How To Make The Most Out of Your Year-End Bonus
• 4 Ways to Keep You Safe When Shopping Online
• Parenting Tips | 4 Ways To Conquer You and Your Child’s 2nd School Year in Lockdown
• A Guide To Apartment Hunting in Los Angeles
• Yes, You Can Have Money Talks with Your Preschoolers
• How To Link Your BPI Online Account to ShopeePay
• 5 Tips For Job-Hunting Success Online
• Top 6 e-Waste Facts You Should Know Right Now
• 7 Eco-Friendly Appliances From Beko
• How to Reload Autosweep and Easytrip RFIDs via the PSBank App
• The 4 Types of Online Shoppers – Which Shopper Are You?
• Fun Activities Right in Your Homes During the School Holidays
• 9 Ways To Reward Yourself on Father’s Day
• How To File SSS Maternity Benefit Claims Online
• How To Apply For Renewal of SSS Pension Loan Online
• 5 Not-So-Obvious Reasons Why Biking is Good For The Philippines
• 4 Easy Steps To Achieve Salon-tastic Hair with Pantene
• List of Things to Pack on your Summer Adventure Trip
• How To Link Your Debit Card To Shopee Pay
• The Growth of Blogging and Influencer Marketing
• Which Type of Motorcycle is Best Suited For Your Needs
• 5 Events that Could Use a Live Band
• 10 Tips To Make Your Online Shopping Experience More Rewarding and Hassle-Free
• 7 Small Appliances You Should Have In Your Kitchen
• 5 Ways To Share The Love Every Day
• How to Get an Insurance Minus the Paper Works and in under 20 Minutes
• 7 New Beko Household Appliances That Help Kill 99% of Germs and Viruses
• 5 Reasons to Trust GCash with Your Online Transactions
• Tips on How to Make The Clear Upgrade in Your Home Workout Routine
• How, Where and When to Cash-In Your GCash Wallet
• How to Get a Life Insurance for Only 1 Peso a Day
• 7 Books About Plagues and Pandemics You Should Read
• How To Activate Your ShopeePay
• 6 Amazing Father’s Day Gift Ideas at Speed Regalo
• How to Protect Your GCash e-Wallet From Scammers
• Three Ways To Arm Yourself Against Scammers
• How to Attract Talents with Home-Based Jobs
• 4 Tips To Help You Keep Your Resolutions This Year
• How To Read People By The Way They Eat Their Pizza
• 5 Questions to Consider Before Starting a Life Together
• What You Need to Know Before Thinking of Moving Out
• Hassle-Free Ways to Celebrate Christmas with Your Loved Ones
• Going on a Christmas Road Trip? Don’t Forget Your BLOCBAGETS
• 5 Creative Ways To Teach Kids How To Be Responsible At Home
• Top 5 Best Christmas Gifts For Gamers
• Tips on How To Spend Your 13th Month Wisely
• How To Avoid Illegal Recruiters When Looking For Work Abroad
• 5 Ways To Keep Your Credit Card Accounts Secure
• 15 Reasons Why ISCAHM is One of the Best Culinary School in the Philippines
• 15 Things You Can Do in 15 Seconds or Less
• Should I Take Out A Loan Just To Travel?
• Traveling With Seniors? What To Prepare & Expect
• Should I Bring A Portable Water Softener When I Travel?
• 5 Car Parts That Matter During The Rainy Season
• 5 Refrigerator Hacks to Organize and Free Up Storage
• 10 Road Safety Tips For The Rainy Season
• Which Toy Story 4 Character Are You?
• 6 Good-To-Know Reasons Why You Should Open a Bank Account
• Did You Know That Termites Can Cause Home Fires?
• Why and When to Get a Personal Accident Insurance
• How To File Income Tax Return For Employees and Self-Employed
• 5 Super Delightful Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Co-Workers
• 6 Reasons Why the Shell Saltwater Supercars are the Perfect Christmas Gifts
• Drink and Drive | What Should You Drink When Going For a Drive?
• Everything You Need to Know About GCredit and GScore
• Your Personal Guide to Corporate Career Success
• Top 10 Pope Francis Quotes For The Youth
• 5 Core Filipino Values Needed To Change For The Better
• How To Use the Generika MedPadala EGC
• Job Hunting Tips for Newly Grads in the Philippines
• How To Shop For a Bag That Will Last Forever
• What Are The Advantages of Having a Tinted Car?
• 9 Trends That 80s Kids Will Remember Forever
• Notable Deaths of 2009

raincheckblog

People-Events-Places-Brand Innovations-Amazing Stories

5 Long Drive Tips For a Worry-Free Holy Week Road Trip

Travel will be at its height on Holy Week as Filipinos are very eager to get out and experience the world again. Many will be traveling by air, but there are also those who prefer to go on a long drive instead.

Whether it’s the cold breeze of Baguio and Tagaytay, the sun, sea and sand of Zambales, Bataan, La Union, Batangas among others, or the spiritual spectacle and food trip in Pampanga, Pioneer Insurance is sharing top 5 long drive tips to help you make the most out of your road trip.

Keep your vehicle in good condition.

Nothing is more inconvenient than having your vehicle break down in the middle of your trip. Such incident can ruin the mood and take away the fun from your plans. Len Pozon, Marketing Head of the Pioneer Insurance Group of Companies, advises motorists to ensure their vehicles are tuned-up and ready for the long drive.

Drivers are advised to check if the oil and other fluids need to be replaced, and inspect if the brake pads, suspension, battery, aircon, and others are all in good condition. “More than the inconvenience, the concern here is the safety of both driver and passengers. This is the reason why vehicles should always be in good shape, especially for long trips,” Pozon added.

Always bring the necessary legal documents.

Having a violation dispute with an enforcer in a faraway place without your license or vehicle registration (OR/CR) can be a hassle. Fines can be costly too.

Pozon said that drivers and car owners should always bring the necessary documents for any unexpected traffic incidents. “It’s a basic driving reminder to never leave the house without these documents in your vehicle,” she said.

Load up your Expressway RFID Tags sufficiently.

Expect that you will not be the only one who will be going on a long drive this weekend. You can avoid long queues at the cash lane of toll booths by loading your Autosweep and EasyTrip RFIDs with the expected toll charges and adding some excess as good measure.

Pozon said that tollways usually are the cause of the traffic bottleneck in expressways. “You can maximize your time if your RFIDs are properly installed and sufficiently loaded,” she said.

Prepare to fight hunger, thirst, and boredom.

The travel time is usually longer during summer holidays because of the high volume of vehicles on the road. Pozon shared that it’s important to pack water, food, fully-charged devices, pre-loaded entertainment, and lots of patience to get the better of boredom.

“Make sure to bring sufficient food and water because stopover establishments will be packed with people. It’s also wise to download entertainment content on your devices as your mobile internet may not be dependable in some areas,” she said.

Insure your vehicle.

Vehicular accidents can happen anytime and one way you can have less worries is by getting your vehicle insured. As part of its efforts in advocating for road safety, Pioneer Insurance has made their vehicle insurance accessible and affordable, not only this Holy Week, but 24/7.

“We have made our insurance products such as the Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) Insurance and RideSure Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance accessible for motorists via www.insureshop.ph. ” Pozon shared.

Make sure to follow these five tips to make your long drive easy, and your vacation meaningful, and fun. 

• Recent Posts

• DARK ROAST COFFEEHOUSE | Maginhawa is Going Dark! - April 26, 2024
• Sponge Cola Releases Another K-drama Inspired Hit - April 26, 2024
• realme 12 5G Now in the Philippines, Retails at P14,999 - April 26, 2024

Writer, Wanderer, Child of God

Similar Posts

Why Songkran is the Ultimate Must-Try Cultural Experience in Thailand

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS | A Comprehensive Guide To This Mountain Resort Living Paradise

Saint Michael The Archangel Church in Bacoor, Cavite

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies.

Tell me more!

Shop The Exact Pieces Song Hye-Kyo Is Wearing In 'The Glory' Part 1

In The Mood For Love With KD Estrada And Alexa Ilacad

Metro Beauty Picks Of The Week

• Sustainability
• METRO SOCIETY

• Korean Wave
• Metro Society
• Inspiration
• #MetroStyleWatch
• Get The Look
• Mind & Spirituality

Destinations

• Itineraries
• Celebrities
• Inspiring Stories
• Society Personalities
• Digital Covers
• Metro Most Stylish
• Metro Ageless Beauty
• Mother's Day
• Entertaining
• Restaurants
• The Ultimate List
• Art & Theater
• Film & TV
• Real Weddings
• Productivity
• Development

follow us on

Your last-minute guide to the best places to visit this holy week, james mangalile.

You’re in the midst of Holy Week, but you still have no idea where to go because you’ve been very busy beating deadlines? Here are some easy-to-go-to destinations where you can kick back and still feel the spirit of Lent.

Laguna may not be surrounded by gorgeous beaches but it can still approach the feel of an escape. The province is covered with dense rainforests hiding many magnificent waterfalls (the Aliw Falls in Luisiana and the Bukal Falls in Majayjay just to name two), and it also has historical towns and old churches (the Saint John the Baptist Church in Liliw , built in 1605, is magnificent), which reminds us of its glorious past. You can, in fact, complete your entire 7-church Visita Iglesia within Laguna. The province’s pride is in their wood carvings and, of course, it has much to offer in terms of cuisine (try Sulyap Gallery Café and Restaurant , a heritage house-turned-food joint). Just a few hours drive from Manila, Laguna is actually an ideal road trip destination.

  A post shared by Kathleen C Peter (@iamkath.ph) on Dec 7, 2017 at 2:26am PST

  #sulyapgallerycafe #sulyapcafe #sulyapsanpablo #firsttime sulyap sarap. Nice place, good food, nice ambiance. Sarap balik balikan. A post shared by tapz (@tapz) on Aug 5, 2017 at 7:35am PDT

If you were not able to prepare much for this holiday but don’t want to stay home, you might want to consider giving Rizal a visit. Antipolo City is considered the "pilgrimage capital" of the Philippines. Every year during Holy Week, people visit the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Cathedral where one can find the 17th century wooden image of a resplendent Blessed Virgin. Aside from Antipolo, Rizal province has many destinations worth exploring that might even surprise you. Art is everywhere in Rizal: in the street murals, in restaurants and museums. Have your photograph taken with the town’s 125-meters high windmills as your backdrop.

  A post shared by hinagaku?? (@hinagaku_13) on Mar 23, 2018 at 8:12pm PDT

  A post shared by Pauline Alaan (@_paulinealaan) on Mar 25, 2018 at 5:06am PDT

  A post shared by Dante Salandanan (@potskidon) on Mar 21, 2018 at 7:07pm PDT

Batangas is such a blessed land with its wide array of diverse landscapes, pristine beaches ( Laiya in San Juan is a favorite destination; while the Masasa beach in the island of Tingloy is gaining popularity), scenic lakes, diving sites (stay at the rustic Anilao Beach Club ), rivers, enchanting mountains, and the famous Taal Volcano . This place is also rich in culture, what with its bounty of religious and heritage sites. The Taal Basilica is the largest church in Southeast Asia, not to mention it's gorgeous, too. If it’s open, drop by Casa de Segunda , an ancestral house of one of Batangas’s prominent families, the Katigbaks; Segunda Katigbak is believed to be Rizal’s first love.

  A post shared by Carol Guya (@car0lgee) on Mar 25, 2018 at 5:07am PDT

  A post shared by Angelika Maling (@anglkmlng) on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:48am PDT

Bulacan is just a few hours drive from Manila and maybe one of the best escapes from the city. Bulakenyos are known to love planting and gardening, so there should be much nature sight-seeing and fresh air to be enjoyed. Aside from the historical Barasoain Church in Malolo s and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao , the Biak Na Bato and Banal Na Bundok in San Miguel, Bulacan are favorite places for prayer and reflection. Baliwag in Bulacan is famous for its more than one-hundred carrozas having life-sized statues that parade during Holy Week processions.

  A post shared by john arvin pineda (@japineda01) on Mar 20, 2018 at 9:00pm PDT

  A post shared by Carlo Alcantara (@j.carloalcantara) on Nov 11, 2017 at 5:32am PST

  A post shared by Nasansistan (@nasansistan) on Apr 6, 2015 at 11:26pm PDT

Making a list of where to go during Holy Week would not be complete without Pampanga. Aside from having numerous churches (the San Guillermo Parish church is always worth a visit, with its baroque design from the late 1800s) and historical shrines ( Clark Pampanga is teeming with must-visits), the curious from all over the world are drawn to the reenaction of the crucifixion of Christ in the city of San Fernando.

  A post shared by jiji.salinas (@in.jijis.eyes) on Mar 26, 2018 at 1:43am PDT

  A post shared by Robert Jarzen (@robertjarzen) on Mar 22, 2018 at 1:32am PDT

  A post shared by Xena???? (@xaiisay22) on Oct 2, 2016 at 6:50pm PDT

  A post shared by nacho hernandez (@nacho_hernandez) on Mar 23, 2018 at 7:14am PDT

Tarlac, the center of Central Luzon, is the favorite stopover of tourists going north. This province has a lot to offer. Adventure seekers will surely enjoy the Tarlac Recreational Park , with its various activities like trekking, river rafting, and trail biking. Refresh with the amazing falls running from the peak of the mountain at Mayantoc, Tarlac. A good place for prayer and reflection especially this Holy Week is at Mt. Ressurection. A monastery with a 30-foot statue of Jesus Christ can be seen at the top of the mountain.

  A post shared by Mark C. Santos (@mark_c._santos) on Oct 15, 2016 at 2:18am PDT

  A post shared by kittykat (@kittykatikatz) on May 11, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

  A post shared by @saluyowt_ on Dec 6, 2017 at 8:47pm PST

  A post shared by James Lloyd Opsima (@jamesopsima08) on Nov 10, 2017 at 5:06am PST

Lead Photo by  Patrick Tomasso   on  Unsplash

• destinations

Top Stories

FASHION Mar 08, 2023

PEOPLE Feb 14, 2023

BEAUTY Mar 14, 2023

Summer Eat List: Top 10 Halo-Halo In Manila 2023

Food mar 18, 2023.

These 3 Heritage Homes Almost Served As The Mansion In “Dirty Linen”

Living mar 06, 2023.

Your Hair Needs You, Too! 3 Steps To #RepairTheBond And Improve Your Relationship With Your Hair

Travel Like A Pro With Beng Dee’s Holiday Getaway Essentials

• Latest News
• Emergencies
• Ask the Law
• GN Fun Drive
• Visa+Immigration
• Phone+Internet
• Reader Queries
• Safety+Security
• Banking & Insurance
• Dubai Airshow
• Corporate Tax
• Top Destinations
• Corporate News
• Electronics
• Home and Kitchen
• Consumables
• Saving and Investment
• Budget Living
• Expert Columns
• Community Tips
• Cryptocurrency
• Cooking and Cuisines
• Guide to Cooking
• Art & People
• Friday Partner
• Daily Crossword
• Word Search
• Philippines
• Australia-New Zealand
• Corrections
• From the Editors
• Special Reports
• Pregnancy & Baby
• Learning & Play
• Child Health
• For Mums & Dads
• UAE Success Stories
• Live the Luxury
• Culture and History
• Staying Connected
• Entertainment
• Live Scores
• Point Table
• Top Scorers
• Photos & Videos
• Course Reviews
• Learn to Play
• South Indian
• Arab Celebs
• Health+Fitness
• Gitex Global 2023
• Best Of Bollywood
• Special Features
• Investing in the Future
• Know Plan Go
• Gratuity Calculator
• Notifications
• Prayer Times

Philippines: Tips for travelers ahead of Holy Week rush

Asia philippines.

Airport officials see huge influx of travelers in runup to Easter holidays

Manila: With the Holy Week travel coming up, make sure you show up earlier than usual at the airport.

That’s the advice for outbound passengers given by airport authorities here Wednesday, with the expected surge in travellers in the runup to Christian Holy Week and Easter.

In view of the rush, and to avoid unnecessary delays, Philippine airport authorities have given the following tips to passengers:

• Outbound travellers were urged to show up three hours before an international flight — and two hours before a domestic flight.
• If you're travelling, pack your own luggage.
• Avoid bringing forbidden goods to avoid delays at screening checkpoints.
• The list of forbidden objects on board the aircraft can be seen on the Office of Transport Security (OTS) website and social media outlets.

Unprecedented demand

Top destinations in the Philippines – Manila, Cebu, and Clark – are witnessing unprecedented demand from expatriates and tourists during tourism season, expected to peak from next week until around April 9, Easter Sunday.

• Emirates airline signs interline agreement with Philippine Airlines
• List: Philippines holidays and special non-working days for 2023

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials said that more than 1.2 million passengers are scheduled to transit through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from April 1 to 10, 2023 as airlines have ramped up flight services to the Asian country.

"We are on the road to recovery," MIAA senior assistant general manager Bryan Co told a press conference Wednesday. He said measures to deal with the influx of airport users are in place.

Proactive measures

According to him, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has devised standards that allow airline employees to look for passengers who are still in line during — or before — the boarding call.

The airline workers might then direct the passengers to another immigration desk where their documents could be processed faster.

Additional airport staff

The official told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the bureau has committed 60 workers to supplement the staffing at NAIA during Holy Week.

To help alleviate the serpentine queues, the official stated that airlines were urged to close their desks on time and not accept customers after the cut-off hour.

140,000 passenger volume

The MIAA had predicted a daily passenger volume of up to 140,000 at NAIA during the Holy Week, up from the present daily average of 120,000 people.

From April 1, the "threat and vulnerability assessment team" will be deployed in various transportation facilities, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said on Wednesday.

More than 2,400 personnel will work at airports across the country.

More From Philippines

Philippine jeepneys face uncertain future

Philippine court blocks GMO 'golden rice' production

Extreme heat scorches Southeast Asia, schools shut

Philippines heat wave: Fire hits church

Saudi Arabia: Any visa holder can now perform Umrah

Hajj permits start for domestic pilgrims

Thousands of flights scrapped in Europe amid strike

Saudi king leaves hospital after ‘routine’ tests

Saudi Arabia: Mecca, Medina brace for downpours

Saudi social media star ‘dwarf’ dies at the age of 27

Your guide to picking the perfect sunscreen, overstay fines: all the costs you need to keep in mind, air china buys 100 locally made c919 jets in $11b deal, top hollywood and bollywood movies and series to watch, gaza baby saved from dead mother’s womb dies.

Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

• # Mandurriao
• # The Best Batchoy in Iloilo
• # The Best Milk Tea in Iloilo
• # City Proper
• # Festive Walk Mall

Your Local and Lifestyle Resource Blog in Iloilo

• Business and Events

Holy Week Travel Tips with F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation

Good news! F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation continues its trips during the Holy Week 2024 for both Iloilo-Guimaras vice-versa and Iloilo-EB Magalona vice-versa. Enjoy the unique experience, and safe and affordable travel this Holy Week 2024.

Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey:

Book in Advance

Holy Week is a peak travel period. For the convenience of everyone, you can book your tickets in advanced by messaging the F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation Facebook Page . You can also reach them via their ticketing offices:

Ajuy Ticketing Office: 0917 554 0087

EB Magalona Ticketing Office: 0917 544 0051

Check Schedules

Confirm the departure and arrival times of your ship. For F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation, here are their Holy Week 2024 schedules:

Ajuy to EB Magalona (Daily)

– 4:00 AM

– 8:00 AM

– 12:00 NN

– 4:00 PM

EB Magalona to Ajuy (Daily)

– 6:00 AM

– 10:00 AM

–  2:00 PM

–  6:00 PM

Iloilo – Guimaras (Daily)

AM..3:30, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30.

PM: 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:30.

Guimaras to Iloilo (Daily)

AM: 4:30, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:30.

PM: 12:00, 12:30, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, , 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7: 30.

Pack Essentials

Make sure to pack all essentials including clothing appropriate for the weather, any necessary medications, travel documents, and personal items. Bring your snacks and water to keep you full and hydrated during the trip.

Arrive Early

Arrive at the port early to avoid last-minute rush and ensure a stress-free boarding process.

Stay Patient

Expect a bigger crowd this Holy Week compared to regular days and prepare for longer waiting times at ports, security checks, and during boarding procedures. Exercise patience and maintain a positive attitude.

Stay Informed

Keep yourself updated about any changes by following the F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation Facebook Page.

Relax and Enjoy

Holy Week is a memorable experience. Take time to relax, enjoy the scenic views, and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere onboard.

By following these tips, F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation hopes that you can make the most out of your Holy Week travel and ensure a pleasant and fulfilling journey.

Share this:

shemaegomez

Iloilo provincial library and archives joins 123rd semana sang iloilo celebration.

You May Like

The new sm cinema iloilo offers the best movie experience in the city, isat-u’s 69kv line transfer prioritized, sun life launches a free digital financial organizer, more’s advisory on first bill, let’s have some funds in iloilo by sun life financial, “garbage to treasure” launched in gt mall pavia, iloilo.

Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

Many travelers have their sights set on summer getaways , but with everything from baggage fees to fuel costs impacting the price of a ticket, "Good Morning America" is asking travel experts to share tips for booking bucket list destinations on a budget and finding savings along the way.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, senior director of content for The Points Guy, offered his tips for affordable travel techniques.

Where to find the best flight deals

Kelvin encourages travelers to utilize Google Flights and other free price-tracking tools to compare fare prices and snag the best deal.

He also suggests using both the calendar and map features within Google Flights to see which airports, dates and destinations how the lowest fare.

From the Google Flights homepage on a computer, click "explore destinations" and select a departure city without adding a destination. Then zoom out on the map to see the best prices for destinations all over the world.

Get the most out of free travel loyalty programs

Travelers should be earning points for anything and everything that they are buying or booking from airline and hotels to car rentals, Kelvin said.

In addition to the points that can can help travelers earn free flights and hotel stays, Kelvin said to look for extra perks just for joining.

Hyatt rewards, for example, offers all guests free breakfast.

For Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Car Rental, he said you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.

Loyalty programs are great for airlines too. JetBlue, for example, allows enrolled customers -- even if they don't have enough points for a flight -- to use points for discounts. Plus, with any airline, as you accumulate points to earn status, you can get free seating upgrades.

Travel credit cards with cash back perks

Along with earning points, travel credit cards give you protection for your trip like insurance to help with lost or damaged baggage and trip cancellation protection

Chase debuts new airport lounge: Gourmet menus, sleek interiors, free facials redefine hospitality for airport travel

As for credit cards, The Points Guy team suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card as an all-around pick -- you get 75,000 miles after meeting your minimum spend in the first three months. Which Kelvin said is a value of over $1,300.

If you're looking to earn the most miles, he said look to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

"You'll earn the most points on all your purchases with this one," he said.

Finally, if you want a credit card with no fee, Kelvin suggested the Bilt Mastercard, which he said is particularly great for renters because you can earn points on what's likely someone's biggest expense.

Editor’s Picks

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights

• Apr 24, 2024

Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

• Apr 09, 2024

What to know about new Venice entry fee, other summer destinations with a tourist tax

• Apr 25, 2024

Save money on international phone plans for summer trips

If someone's trip is taking them out of the country, using a cell phone internationally can cost $10 to 15 per day. For a family of four, that's more than $400 for a week.

If your phones support eSIM, Kelvin suggested purchasing a data plan for your destination through an app such as Airalo, Truphone or GigSky.

For example, one of Airalo's global SIM plans costs $9 for one week, which could save a family close to $350 dollars, depending on their existing international coverage.

Related Topics

Up next in travel—.

No cuts: Proposed bill could change skipping the security line at the airport

Venice implements new access fees for day-trippers: What to know about the new system

Shop Editors Picks

Sponsored content by taboola.

Ten Miami hotels just won bragging rights in a new Michelin guide. See the list

T en hotels in Miami-Dade County won bragging rights this week, singled out in a new but prestigious ratings system that is a holy book for foodies.

The Michelin Guide, known better for making restaurant owners exalt or weep, came out with its first ever assessment of hotels in the United States.

The guide awards keys to hotels — signifying “an extraordinary stay, worthy of a specific trip” — instead of the well-known star system for restaurants.

Highlighted are 124 hotels, which received one, two or three keys. Travelers can book visits to each of these hotels on Michelin Guide digital platforms.

South Florida’s top Michelin hotels

Four hotels in Miami-Dade County, including three in Miami Beach were awarded two Michelin keys, the best performance by any property in Florida in the debut ratings:

▪ Mayfair House Hotel & Garden at 3000 Florida Ave. in Coconut Grove received two Michelin keys.

▪ Faena Hotel at 3201 Collins Ave.

▪ Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club at 9011 Collins Ave.

▪ The Setai Miami Beach at 2001 Collins Ave.

“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive two Michelin keys,” Rhys O’Connell, general manager of the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, said in an emailed statement. The executive called the achievement “a testament to the unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work of our incredible team.”

The recognition comes as the property nears two years following a multi-million dollars renovation.

Michelin cited Faena’s “fascinating Art Deco details” and its ability to make founder Alan Faena’s “colorful fantasies come to life.”

Which Miami area hotels got one key?

Another six hotels in Miami-Dade, including four in Miami Beach, were no slouches, receiving one Michelin key:

▪ Mandarin Oriental Miami at 500 Brickell Key Dr.

▪ The Mr. C Miami in Coconut Grove at 2988 McFarlane Rd.

▪ 1 Hotel in South Beach at 2341 Collins Ave.

▪ Esme Miami Beach at 1438 Washington Ave.

▪ Hotel Greystone at 1920 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach

▪ The Betsy – South Beach at 1440 Ocean Dr.

Michelin cited 1 Hotel in South Beach’s “eco-friendly ethos and recycled/reclaimed décor for a brand with serious luxury-hotel chops.”

Five other Florida hotels got keys. Orlando boasted three properties receiving one key and Tampa had two.

How the Michelin awards came to be

Michelin , was just a tire company when founded in 1889 in France by Andre and Edouard Michelin. Because few people drove at that time, to boost car and tire sales “the Michelin brothers produced a small red guide filled with handy information for travelers, such as maps, information on how to change a tire, where to fill up with fuel, and for the traveler in search of respite from the adventures of the day.”

By the 1920s, the guide grew to include restaurants and hotels in Paris. In 1926, it started awarding one to three stars to dining establishments, according to the company website.

But it is the restaurant guide Michelin has mostly been known for in the hospitality industry over the past several decades.

About the Michelin hotel guide

Now Michelin has entered new terrain.

To prepare the hotel guide, 1,000 hotels were recommended by the Michelin Guide across the U.S. to get down to the 124. Hotels were only eligible if located in U.S. areas where the Michelin Guide also recommends restaurants. That means the hotel ratings were limited to Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Colorado and Florida.

Keys were awarded by a Michelin inspection team based on anonymous stays or visits. They looked for character, a warm welcome, and high level of service.

The classification system was broken down this way:

▪ Three keys, the highest rating, were given to hotels providing “an extraordinary stay.” Michelin said “it’s all about astonishment and indulgence here” and noted that it is “a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime.”

▪ Two keys went to properties for “an exceptional stay” and hotels of “character, personality, and charm.”

▪ One key was given to places where one could find “a very special stay” and where “service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.”

Which hotels got three stars?

The top honor of three keys went to just 11 hotels: seven in California and four in New York.

For example, the Canyon Ranch Woodside, minutes from the Pacific Ocean and near the heart of Silicon Valley was chosen not only for being a “spectacular” retreat that was “nestled among giant redwoods in a hidden hillside forest,” but also for its extensive programming, including spa treatments and a spiritual wellness program.

Also getting three keys was the Aman New York. Described as “self-contained world of luxury,” it is owned by Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin, who is developing a similar property in Miami Beach.

Michelin encouraged all 124 hotels that got keys to celebrate.

“Every establishment awarded one, two, or three Michelin keys is a gem sculpted by talented professionals,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the guide.

Daniela Trovato, regional vice-president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club, said in a statement that, “We are all so proud to be awarded this esteemed Michelin Key accolade.”

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Dragonflight Season 4 Content Update Notes

Dragonflight Season 4 arrives to World of Warcraft on April 23!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

New updates are highlighted in gold ., dragonflight season 4.

Powerful rewards await in Season 4 to deliver the best of what the Dragonflight expansion offers. Jump into the new Mythic+ dungeon rotation, rally your forces for new challenges in raids, prepare for the new PvP season, and ready yourselves for The War Within . [ LEARN MORE ]

Awakened Raids

• Every week during Dragonflight Season 4, one of the three Dragonflight raids will become Awakened: Vault of the Incarnates; Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible; or Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope. Enemies within Awakened raids are stronger and drop upgraded loot with a higher item level.
• Vault of the Incarnates: Sign of Awakened Storms – Dragonscale Expedition, Maruuk Centaur, and Iskaara Tuskaar
• Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible: Sign of Awakened Embers – Loamm Niffen, Soridormi, and Sabellian/Wrathion
• Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope: Sign of Awakened Dreams – Dream Wardens and Valdrakken Accord
• All raids Awakened: All the above reputations are increased
• All three raids will also drop a new tier token to exchange for new tier pieces with the appearance and set bonus combination that  players voted for .
• Exchange 2 Bullion for weapons and powerful items from the Dragonflight raids from the vendors in the Parting Glass in Valdrakken.
• An additional vendor nearby sells Jigglesworth Sr mount for 3 Bullion and cosmetics that grant you the choice of any raid weapon appearance at any difficulty color for 1 Bullion each.
• Legendary items will drop as usual from raids, but players who have previously obtained them can purchase a Scale of Awakening to upgrade their items to the Season 4 ilvls (base is 502 and can be upgraded further through Crests and Flightstones).
• Complete all three Awakened  Dragonflight raids on Normal difficulty to receive the Voyaging Wildering dynamic flying mount.
• Earn the new title, "Awakened Hero", for completing the Awakened raids on Heroic difficulty.
• Those who complete the Awakened raids on Mythic difficulty are rewarded with Path Portals to the three raids.
• Return to all eight Dragonflight dungeons for a refined and rewarding progression curve for Heroic, Mythic, and Mythic+ with better pacing and meaningful rewards: Ruby Life Pools, Brackenhide Hollow, The Nokhud Offensive, Uldaman: Legacy of Tyr, Neltharus, The Azure Vault, Halls of Infusion, and Algeth’ar Academy.
• Dedicated defenders can obtain the new Keystone Master mount, Infinite Armoredon, once the  Dragonflight Keystone Master: Season 4 achievement is attained.
• Earn the new title "The Draconic" after obtaining Dragonflight Keystone Conqueror: Season 4 when you reach a Mythic+ Rating of 1500 during Dragonflight Season 4.
• "The Draconic Hero" can be earned from the achievement Draconic Hero: Dragonflight Season 4 when reaching a Mythic+ Rating in the top 0.1% of all players in your region.
• Season 4 arrives with PvP rankings reset, new gear sets, mounts, titles, and more!
• Earn the Vicious Dreamtalon (Horde or Alliance version) for Rated Arena and Rated Battleground, and the Draconic Gladiator’s Drake and "Draconic Gladiator" title for earning the Draconic Gladiator: Dragonflight Season 4  achievement.
• "Draconic Legend" title can be earned after attaining Draconic Legend: Dragonflight Season 4  when ending the season in the top 0.1% of the Solo Shuffle ladder.

DUNGEON CHANGES

Dragonflight  Season 4 brings with it a variety of changes, including new adjustments to dungeons, their progression, and rewards. [ LEARN MORE ]

• One of the most notable changes players can look forward to is the removal of the timer for Mythic Keystone dungeons for what are currently 0 and 10. Players can run through these dungeons at their own pace without the need to watch the clock while still honing their skills.
• Heroic difficulty and rewards will move up to roughly the current level of Mythic 0. These dungeons will remain available to queue into via Group Finder (default hotkey: “I”), though the item level requirement to queue will also go up accordingly.
• Mythic 0 difficulty and rewards will move up to roughly the current level of Mythic 8-10 (this is a bit hand-wavy - numerically it’s close to M10 but not having a timer at all or affixes really offsets that quite a bit).
• This difficulty is unchanged.
• The tuning and rewards of this difficulty are increasing to be equivalent to a baseline Mythic (Mythic 0) dungeon in the current system.
• Mythic difficulty changes and mechanics will not be present in this difficulty.
• This remains a queueable experience.
• The tuning and rewards of this difficulty are increasing to the equivalent of a +10 dungeon with affixes in the current system.
• There are no timers, affixes, or limitations on changing specializations or talents while in the dungeon.
• The goal is to create a mega-dungeon like difficulty for this experience. This difficulty should present a meaningful challenge and provide commensurate rewards without the pressures of the current Mythic+ system.
• Mythic 0 is still on a weekly lockout under this model.
• A +5 should be as hard as a +15 and +10 should be as hard as a +20 in the current Mythic+ system etc.
• +2 - Fortified/Tyrannical
• +5 - Entangling / Incorporeal etc.
• +10 - Bursting / Bolstering etc.
• Dungeon ratings should be equivalent to what they represent in the current system.
• There should be a smaller range of keystone levels to find groups for, and more meaningful progression between each level.
• At the beginning of Season 4, all Keystones will be reset to level 2, regardless of levels. This is done due to our difficulty refactoring of Mythic and Mythic+.
• It’s important to note that the basic structure of dungeon rewards is not changing significantly, so what you would have earned for completing a Mythic 0 will be earnable in the Heroic difficulty dungeon instead. 
• Flightstone earnings for any given Mythic+ will match the equally challenging Mythic+ from previous seasons. This means that a Mythic +2 in Season 4 will give the same number of Flightstones as a Mythic +12 in Season 3 currently does. The rewards will continue to match difficulty, even if what we’re calling those difficulty changes.
• Bonus Flightstone awards for increasing any party member’s Mythic+ score remain unchanged.
• Whelpling Crests are no longer available from Mythic+ dungeons, as those difficulties no longer exist. Players can continue to collect Whelpling Crests from many outdoor sources.
• Players will earn 10 Drake Crests on successful completion of a Mythic 0 dungeon, as there is no timer to beat.
• Wyrm Crests will be available in Mythic +2 to Mythic +5 dungeons in the same quantities as existing Mythic+ dungeons.
• Aspect Crests will be available in any Mythic difficulty from +6 and up, also in the same quantities as existing Mythic+ dungeons.

NORTHREND CUP

On April 30 through May 14, soar through the Northrend skies with the dragonrider racing event, Northrend Cup.

Challenge twelve races across Northrend in Normal, Advanced, and Reverse variations to earn Riders of Azeroth Badges to exchange for rewards with Maztha in Valdrakken. Complete all Northrend Cup races on Gold to earn the achievement Northrend Racing Completionist: Gold, Northrend Racer title, and Ruby Riders of Azeroth tabard. Head to Valdrakken and speak to Lord Andestrasz near the Rostrum of Transformation to pick up the initial quest.

New rewards are available for purchase with Riders of Azeroth Badges: Icy Drake Racer's transmog set and Checkered Pennant.

Developer's note: In Season 4, we're reducing the overall throughput of some healers to better align with our tuning goals as well as increase the comparative power of Holy Paladin, Preservation Evoker, and Holy Priest without needing to further escalate the capabilities of healers.

• All healing done reduced by 5%. Does not apply in PvP combat.
• All healing done reduced by 13%. Does not apply in PvP combat.
• Developer's note: As part of our goal for balancing healers in raids, we would like to reduce raid healing output for Discipline Priest without affecting them in other content.
• Atonement transfers 35% of damage to healing (was 40%).
• Atonement healing increased by 70% outside of raids (was 50%).

DUNGEONS AND RAIDS

• In-combat resurrection spells in Looking for Raid difficulty now use the same shared-charge system as other raid difficulties.
• Groups in Looking for Raid difficulty now start combat with six in-combat resurrection charges, and gain a charge every 90-150 seconds, depending on group size.
• Volcanic Heart now targets 4 players on Mythic difficulty (was 5).
• Hurricane Wing's pushback strength reduced by 10% on all difficulties.
• Lightning Devastation cast time increased to 4 seconds (was 3 seconds).
• Flame Shield reduced by 23%.
• Shattering Shroud healing absorb reduced by 20%.
• Dawn of the Infinite: Hard Mode tuning and rewards have been updated.
• Hard mode does not have a timer and rewards a Hero track item. Hard mode is intended to be more challenging than a standard Mythic difficulty dungeon.
• Spellbound Scepter Arcane Rain has been removed.
• Spellbound Scepter Mystic Blast can no longer be interrupted.
• Spectral Invoker's Arcane Missiles damage reduced by 50%.
• Firestorm frequency reduced to 8 seconds (was 5 seconds).
• Savage Peck's initial damage reduced by 13%.
• Savage Peck's periodic damage reduced by 33%.
• Addressed an issue where Deafening Screech can go off after the cast is interrupted.
• Mana Bomb periodic damage reduced by 20%.
• Corrupted Mana now has a slight delay before inflicting damage to players inside of its effect.
• New Mythic mechanic: Unleash Energy – The Echo of Doragosa unleashes powerful arcane energy, inflicting Arcane damage to all players and opening Arcane Rifts in nearby locations.
• Astral Breath cast time has been increased to 3 seconds (was 2 seconds).
• Increased the Mythic+ timer by 2 minutes.
• Piercing Shard now has a precast visual.
• Piercing Shard impact area reduced by 25%.
• Conjured Lasher Mystic Vapors will now be cast less frequently.
• Arcane Tender's Erratic Growth cast time increased to 3.5 seconds (was 2.5 seconds).
• Unstable Curator's Heavy Tome will now be cast less frequently.
• Shoulder Slam's knockback has been removed.
• Shoulder Slam now inflicts Physical damage and increases Physical damage taken by 10%.
• Shoulder Slam will now be cast less frequently.
• Erupting Fissures now follows current target player.
• Reduced the frequency of periodic damage from Overwhelming Energy to every 2.5 seconds (was every 2 seconds).
• Oppressive Miasma removed in Mythic difficulty.
• Crystalize now pulses Arcane damage while the crystal is shielded.
• Crackling Vortex now has a larger movement radius.
• Detonating Crystals and Hardened Crystal now spawn closer to Umbrelskul's location
• Addressed an issue where Detonating Crystals can fail to spawn.
• No longer stacks.
• Periodic damage reduced by 16%.
• Haste reduction increased to 10% (was 2%).
• Movement reduction increased to 10% (was 2%).
• Decay Totem health reduced by 20%.
• Addressed an issue where Withering cast by Decay Totem is inflicting more periodic damage than Withering from other sources.
• Renamed to Rotbow Ranger.
• Shoot now has a recast of 6 seconds.
• Diseased Meat renamed to Rotten Meat, and is now a Poison dispel.
• Brackenhide Shaper Summon Lashers and Touch of Decay have been removed.
• Violent Whirlwind radius reduced to 6 yards (was 7 yards).
• Stink Breath now locks facing after targeting a player.
• Stink Breath now has a visual while casting.
• Necrotic Breath's casting visual has been updated.
• Necrotic Breath's cone width has been adjusted to match with the new visual.
• Gutstabber Withering Poison has been removed.
• Bracken Warscourge Bloody Bite has been removed.
• Claw Fighter Bloody Bite has been removed.
• Decay Speaker Rotchanting Totem has been removed.
• Predatory Instincts Haste bonus reduced to 5% (was 10%).
• Mark for Butchery damage frequency increased to 1 second (was 0.5 seconds).
• Gash Frenzy damage reduced by 21%.
• Gash Frenzy duration reduced to 15 seconds (was 45 seconds).
• Dungeon checkpoint added after defeating Gulping Goliath.
• Normalized the spawn rate of Crashing Tsunami during the gauntlet.
• Containment Apparatus' Containment Beam damage reduced by 42%.
• Wind Buffet and Thunderstorm have been removed.
• New ability: Thunderstrike – Inflicts Nature damage to all players within 7 yards of impact.
• Primalist Earthshaker Rumbling Earth rim visual will no longer clip into the terrain.
• Titanic Fist now has a visual during cast.
• Power Overload now has a rim visual around afflicted player.
• Power Field now gradually grows to its full size.
• Added rim visuals on Ice Boulders that will trigger Avalanche.
• Cast Away now occurs at 60% health (was 100% energy).
• Each Burning Chain can only be used once.
• Burning Chain now stuns all enemies in it and increases their damage taken by 50% for 5 seconds.
• Fiery Focus pulsing damage near the Chargath has been removed.
• Fiery Focus now channels damage on current target.
• Grounding Chain now persists on defeated player.
• Grounding Chain now does a small knockback to the player when applied.
• Curse of the Dragon Hoard now stacks.
• Curse of the Dragon Hoard duration reduced from to 30 seconds (was 5 minutes).
• Azure Stone of Might has been removed.
• Multi-Shot has been removed.
• Rain of Arrows will now be cast less frequently.
• Nokhud Beastmaster Hunt Prey damage bonus reduced by 25%.
• Desecrated Ohuna Rotting Wind initial damage reduced by 30%.
• Ukhel Beastcaller Desecrating Roar frequency reduced by 25%.
• Nokhud Thunderfist Storm Shock has been removed.
• Primalist Stormspeaker Storm Bolt has been removed.
• Frequency of Stormwinds during intermission has been reduced to every 10 seconds (was every 6 seconds).
• Primal Terrasentry Stone Missiles has been removed.
• Blaze of Glory now has a 1 second delay before inflicting damage around the caster.
• Flame Dance’s end of channel damage reduced by 25%.
• Infernocore duration increased to 4 seconds (was 3 seconds).
• Infernocore periodic damage reduced by 25%.
• Flamespit targets reduced to 2 (was 3).
• Reduced the Mythic+ timer by 1 minute.
• Fiery Surge damage reduced by 75%.
• Fiery Surge's frequency has been significantly reduced – One dwarf reduced by 33%, two dwarves reduced by 50%, and three dwarves reduced by 100%.
• Burning Pitch maximum radius reduced to 6 yards (was 10 yards).
• Fiery Surge and Burning Pitch now properly scales with key level.
• Fixed an issue where Heavy Arrow was damaging pets.
• Earthen Shards initial damage reduced by 20%.
• Earthen Shards periodic damage reduced by 12.5%.
• Burning Heat duration reduced to 6 seconds (was 10 seconds).
• Seeking Flame’s visual has been adjusted to no longer clip into the terrain.
• Revival Catalyst charges have been reset to 1. One charge is earned each week (was every 2 weeks).

PLAYER VERSUS PLAYER

• Honor gained from the Battleground Blitz Brawl now contributes towards the PvP track in the Great Vault. 
• Ancient Teachings healing transfer amount reduced to 375% in PvP combat (was 412%).
• Atonement healing increased by 35% in PvP combat (was 15%).

To view all content update notes, click here .

For World of Warcraft customer support, please visit our Support Site or our Customer Support discussion forum . If you’ve found a bug, please let us know about it in our Bug Report Forum .

Back to Top