Peak Pricing For Airplane Tickets: European Holidays

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by Sophie She

Peak Pricing For Airplane Tickets: European Holidays Calendar

7 Jun 2024

All of us want our Italian, French, or Greek summer, but visiting these picturesque countries on certain dates might make you feel a bit overstimulated, both emotionally and budget-wise.

Running through this sansars’s circle, we have decided to break it and create a calendar of all summer public and national holidays in the countries of Europe.

June

June 2: Republic Day, Italy

In Rome, the main event is a military parade that takes place along Via dei Fori Imperiali, and look up in the sky for a fun aeroplane show.

June 6: National Day, Sweden

On June 6, Swedes celebrate their National Day with flag waving and royal appearances. Typically, the King and Queen of Sweden participate in a ceremony at Skansen, the open-air museum in Stockholm, to mark the occasion.

June 10: Portugal Day, Portugal

There will be military parades, fireworks, and concerts arranged in Lisbon. But they say, the main thing is that locals use this day to chill together somewhere out on a picnic, so you might really enjoy this one! Let us know if the picnic part is true.

June 23: Luxembourg National Day, aka Grand Duke's Official Birthday

This celebration of course features formal and traditional activities, like a military parade and a religious service called Te Deum, but stars of the show are enormous fireworks.

June 22–24: Midsummer — Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia

Great to witness events with lovely mediaeval vibes. Everyone will be giving each other flower bands and dancing like in “Sounds of Music” (1965)

Photo: Becca Tapert

July

July 5: Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (in Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Every year on this day, many Czech Roman Catholics gather at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius in the southern Moravian town of Velehrad. So, take this as many people are parading outside.

July 6: Statehood Day or Coronation Day, Lithuania

This event commemorates the coronation of Mindaugas as the King of Lithuania in the year 1253, but nothing as such will be there nowadays, Simple national day; everything is closed, and people are enjoying the day off.

July 6–14: Festival of San Fermín (Sanfermines), Spain

In the streets, you'll find processions, such as the one showcasing Los Gigantes and Los Cabezudos, the Giants and the Big Heads, which are large figures paraded through the town. Basque sports competitions, like wood chopping, stone lifting, and jai alai, take place across the region.

July 14: Bastille Day, France

World-famous reason to have a day off. The celebration involves a mix of serious military parades, relaxed dancing, and fireworks. And by the way, find the Paris guide here.

July 21: Independence Day, Belgium

It's a simple public holiday, and traditionally, the day features a televised speech by the King. Otherwise, the main celebrations take place in Brussels, where you can expect some city decorations.

Photo: Yiwen

August

August 1: Swiss National Day (Switzerland, not in the EU but in Europe)

This one could actually be nice to encounter as long as you’re not ill and you don’t have anything important that day.

August 15: Assumption of Mary (observed in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain)

This is the one you have to be afraid of, especially in Greece, as literally everything is x3 in price and there are no hotels available, so book in advance!

August 20: St. Stephen's Day (Hungary)

Watch out for great fireworks, beloved by Hungarians, but be careful and try not to step on one of the firecrackers. Also, here’s your guide for a lovely time in Budapest.

Photo: Rene Torres

by Sophie She