With blue skies and perfect temperatures, a bounty of 'primavera' seasonal foods, plus a host of celebratory traditional events, the Easter period is the perfect time to enjoy Italy.  

Sardatur Holidays, the number one Italian holiday specialist, has a range of holiday packages for families and adults alike, to enjoy this Easter.  From luxury family resorts to Tuscan spa breaks, here are some of the best Italian holidays for this April, along with a selection of local events to enjoy in each location.

A FAMILY BREAK AT HOTEL PINETA, FORTE VILLAGE RESORT - SARDINIA

The 5* Hotel Pineta, in Sardinia's famous Forte Village Resort, is situated within a centuries-old pine grove and has been recently refurbished.  The resort offers a stellar array of kids' activities from tennis and football tournaments, water fun in the Aquapark, and go-karting and bowling at 'Leisureland'.  The 'Childrens' Wonderland' has its own Barbie Activity Centre, theatrical workshop, and 'Mario's Village' kids' area.  Little ones can even learn how to plant and cultivate crops in the vegetable garden.  Over Easter there will be a special programme including an Easter Sunday gala dinner featuring Italian and Sardinian specialities.  Adults can take time out to relax in the thalasso pools of the Aquaforte Spa.

Sardatur Holidays offers a three night stay for £3,550 (15% saving – original price £4,176) total for two adults and two children.  Departs London Stansted on 19th April 2019.  Price includes three nights full board at 5* Hotel Pineta, return flights, airport transfers, gala dinner on Easter Sunday, access to Children's Wonderland, daily entrance to Aquaforte Spa, sports activities and evening entertainment. 

Local Easter events in Sardinia:

• Settimana Santa (Holy Week) - 14-20th April: Easter celebrations take place in various cities over three days around Sardinia.  The streets see processions of white hooded figures accompanied by the sound of the traditional wooden instruments, Matraccas.  The main celebrations take place in Alghero, Castelsardo, Cagliari, Oliena, Iglesias and Tempio Pausania.

A FAMILY BREAK AT VERDURA RESORT - SICILY

The 5* Verdura Resort is located in an idyllic valley on the south coast of Sicily surrounded by olive and lemon groves. The luxury resort combines Sicilian heritage with world-class comfort.  The hotel offers a range of activities such as free bikes around the resort, kids' sports academy and spectacular evening shows at the amphitheatre. 

A special Easter programme includes an Easter egg decorating competition and sports academies with superstar athletes.  Plus of course Verdu the hedgehog will be on hand to entertain the little ones.  Adults can try their hand at making Sicilian caponata and cannolo at the Sicilian cooking classes, sample wines at wine-tasting events, indulge at the Verdura spa and play the 18-hole championship course.

Sardatur Holidays offers a five night stay at Verdura Resort for £5,850 (15% saving - original price £6,882) total price for two adults and two children.  Departs London Luton on 18th April 2019.  Price includes connecting deluxe sea view room on half board basis, return flights and private airport transfers, free daily entrance to the spa, free bikes around the resort and kids clubs.

Local Easter events in Sicily:

• Il Ballo dei Diavoli (The Dance of the Devils) – 14-21st April: The unique event takes place in Prizzi in Palermo, representing the age-old struggle between good and evil. A week-long programme culminates on Palm Sunday with figures dressed as red devils parading through the streets, searching for souls to devour. 'Angels' later join the parade to contrast the 'evil'.

A COUPLE'S BREAK AT FONTEVERDE SPA - TUSCANY

The 5* Fonteverde Spa, originally built as a Renaissance palace, overlooks the majestic rolling hills of Val d'Orcia.  The property is set atop the natural hot springs to fully utilise the healing power of the natural waters and facilities include panoramic pool, hot tubs and treatment facilities to truly restore the natural balance of life.  

Sardatur Holidays offers a three night stay for £998 per person (15% saving – original price £1,174).  Departs from London Heathrow on 19th April 2019.  Price includes accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, return flights and car hire.

Local Easter events in Tuscany:

• Nature Train Spring edition - from March 25th: Hop on the Nature Train around the Siena area and travel through unusual landscapes, discover hidden villages and timeless tastes aboard a vintage train - the perfect way to enjoy slow tourism.
• Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) Fireworks - April 21st: This traditional parade is held in Florence every Easter Sunday.  An ancient wagon is dragged by a white bull decorated with flowers through the city streets, accompanied by brass bands and a colourful parade of people dressed as Roman soldiers. The parade is then followed by a fireworks display in the Piazza del Duomo.

A COUPLE'S BREAK AT GRAND HOTEL CAPODIMONTE - SORRENTO

The 4* Grand Hotel Capodimonte is located on a wonderful estate with stunning views of Sorrento and over the Bay of Naples.  Guests can relax in the five cascading waterfall pools and indulge in the new wellness centre.  The property offers a choice of three restaurants serving Neapolitan and Sorrento specialities, and a range of activities from sports to cooking classes. 

Sardatur Holidays offers a seven night stay for £1,429 per person (15% saving – original price £1,681).  Departs London Gatwick on 17th April 2019. Price includes double balcony room accommodation on half board basis, return flights, private airport transfers, Pompeii or Herculaneum private excursion and Amalfi Coast private excursion.

Local Easter events in Sorrento:

• The White Parade - April 19th: The White Parade is the first of two parades on Good Friday. Hundreds of locals join the procession that begins at three in the morning.  Flickering candlelight shines from ghostly, white cloaked and hooded figures holding torches, while live bands playing uplifting music accompany the parade.
• The Black Parade - April 19th: The second parade of the day, the Black Parade begins late at night on Good.  The parade involves a procession of hooded figures dressed in black as sombre sounds and chants echo around the streets.

For further information about these packages please visit: www.sardatur-holidays.co.uk/easter-spring-holidays

 To book call the Sardatur Holidays sales team on 0208 973 2292 or email: ask@sardatur-holidays.co.uk

For press information please contact Jules Ugo or Minty Woolgar at LOTUS on 020 7953 7470 / jules@wearelotus.co.uk  / minty@wearelotus.co.uk

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About the UVET Group​:  Founded in Milan in 1950, the group has grown to be a leader in the Italian  travel  industry,  providing  innovative solutions  and  products  for  corporate  and  leisure  travel,  ground  and  air  transportation,  MICE  and  pharmaceutical  conferences.  UVET  Group's   portfolio  of  brands  consists  of  UVET  American  Express  Global  Business Travel &  Ufleet (Corporate Travel &  Fleet  Management); Settemari and  Amo  il  Mondo  (Tour  operating);  Made  in  UVET  (Destination  Management);  Uevents  and  Congress  Lab (MICE);  UVET  Network and  UVET  Retail   (Travel   Distribution);  Tripitaly   Drive   (Land  Transportation);  UHC-Uvet  Hotel  Company  (Hotel  Management);  Blue  Panorama  (Airline);  TNS   (System  Integrator  and  IT  Solutions).  With over 1,500 employees worldwide and an annual turnover of € 2.9 billion.  For more information visit www.uvet.com