Mel Gibson's cinema film Passion of Christ created an international stir for its brutally realistic portrayal of the final week of Jesus Christ. Across Latin America the final week of Jesus Christ called Semana Santa or Holy Week, the remembrance of his crucifixion and resurrection, marks the most important holiday of the year. In Nicaragua Holy Week is a time of varied and fascinating festivals that blend ancient Spanish Catholic traditions with indigenous rituals creating festivals that are unique to Latin American. Nicaragua's Holy Week often strives to meet the same goals as Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ, that is to remind people of the story of Christ's sacrifice and as often as possible adhere as close as possible to its historical reality. This special interest tour spans several different celebrations of Holy Week and accentuates what makes Nicaragua special in the celebration of the Passion of Christ. The backdrop for these celebrations is two of the oldest cities in the Americas, León and Granada and the highlight of the program could be the special colored sawdust street paintings (or "carpets") made on Good Friday in the indigenous barrio of Subtiava in León. Not only will this fascinating tradition that marries art and religion be revealed in striking colors, but the visitor will also have the unprecedented opportunity to participate in the creation of a Holy Week street painting under the expert guidance of Subtiava's most acclaimed Good Friday sawdust artist. Join us for a cultural procession that walks across the centuries of time, a unique journey of heart and soul.

Holy Week Festival Traditions Itinerary

HOLY MONDAY: MANAGUA - GRANADA
Airport greeting and transfer south to the shores of Lake Nicaragua and Central America's oldest European settlement, colonial Granada. Lodging on Central Park at the Hotel Alhambra.
HOLY TUESDAY: GRANADA - LAS ISLETAS ARCHIPELAGO - GRANADA
Morning transfer to Lake Nicaragua and the 354 island archipelago of Las Isletas. This water-bound community has a unique celebration of Holy Week done with processions entirely in boat. Private boat following of the Holy Week boat processions in the archipelago. Return to Granada for lodging at Hotel Alhambra.
HOLY WEDNESDAY: NANDAIME - MASAYA - NINDIRÍ - GRANADA
Visits to some of the ancient villages of Los Pueblos de la Meseta to experience how these Chorotega Indian villages celebrate Holy Wednesday. In the village of Nandaime at 12:00 noon the town's ancient church bells come alive and chaos breaks loose when a scene from the bible is played out on the townspeople who run fleeing from the costumed castigators. Visit to the historic city of Masaya and then in the late afternoon the tiny village of Nindirí, populated since at least 1,000 BC and scene of a theatrical recreation of the Passion of Christ in central park. At night the villagers create sawdust paintings in their historic 16th century church and we will watch this process. Return to Granada for lodging at Hotel Alhambra.
HOLY THURSDAY: GRANADA - LEON
Transfer north to the intellectual and religious capitol of Nicaragua, León. Tour of some of León's 12 colonial period churches, including the Cathedral, the grandest temple in all of Central America. Meeting with a sawdust street painter to learn how the Good Friday street paintings are made in preparation for the elaboration of a special street carpet painting on Good Friday in Subtiava. Lodging in the historic center at the Hotel Austria.
GOOD FRIDAY: LEON - SUBTIAVA
The richest and most impressive day of celebrations for Holy Week and there is no better place to be than León. The barrio of Subtiava starts with re-enactments of the Passion of Christ in the morning and then in the afternoon the Good Friday procession carpets are prepared by the residents of this historic neighborhood. We will help in the creation of a religious street painting made out of brightly died sawdust. This kind of painting has brought much fame to the city of Antigua in Guatemala, but the residents of León's Subtiava barrio are quick to point out that the Guatemalans create their carpets with molds, while the beautiful colored carpets of Subtiava are elaborated totally freehand. After completion of the street painting and a dinner break we watch as the evening procession of the deceased Christ honors the religious painting sawdust carpets by trampling them into historical oblivion. Lodging at Hotel Austria.
HOLY SATURDAY: LEON - EL VIEJO - LEON
A day of reflection for believers and the town waits in anticipation for the rapturous celebration of the rebirth of Christ on Easter. Transfer north to the ancient Basilica of El Viejo, which houses Nicaragua's patron saint the Virgin of the Throne, image of the Virgin Mary brought to Nicaragua in the late 1500's by the brother of Santa Teresa. Return to León and lodging at Hotel Austria.
EASTER SUNDAY: LEON
A day of massive celebration all around Nicaragua and the many churches of León all celebrate the rebirth of Christ with fireworks and joyous processions. Visits to various processions and churches to immerse ourselves in the tremendous happiness and show of faith that erupts across this timeless colonial city. Lodging at Hotel Austria.
MONDAY AFTER EASTER: LEON - MANAGUA
Transfer to airport in Managua for flight home.

Holy Week Festival Traditions Tour Includes:

• All transfers in private vehicle with a/c and driver
• Full time assistance of an English speaking guide
• All breakfasts
• 3 nights lodging at the Hotel Alhambra in Granada
• 4 nights lodging at the Hotel Austria in León
• Visits to the festival events and processions in the itinerary
• Training and elaboration of a sawdust-carpet painting guided by a master

Holy Week changes year to year, below are upcoming Holy Week tour dates:
Year 2007: April 2-9
Year 2008: March 17-24
Year 2009: April 6-13

Hotels described in itinerary are standard, optional upgrades available at both locations. Please see below for hotel descriptions relevant to this itinerary.

Visit costs depend on the number of travelers in your party; please specify number when requesting a quote. Custom visit itineraries are available upon request.

LEON - STANDARD

Hotel Austria, located one block from the cathedral and central park, this is one of the best-run hotels in Nicaragua with a very warm, efficient and attentive service. Owned and operated by an Austrian Nicaraguan family, rooms are decorated with solid wood furnishings and are super clean. The hotel restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. 17 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, safe box. León's best located, best run 3-star hotel.

LEON - UPGRADE

Hotel El Convento, connected to the historical San Francisco church two blocks from the cathedral and central park, this could be Nicaragua's most beautiful hotel. A ground-up restoration of the 17th century Convent of San Francisco, this charming hotel has 31 quality rooms around a gorgeous traditional interior garden and is decorated with antiques made in Nicaragua and Peru (made from imported Nicaraguan wood). The rooms all have A/C, private bath with hot water, cable TV and direct phones. The hotel has two restaurants both with view of the garden and features homemade ice cream from Nicaragua's tropical fruits. León's best hotel.

GRANADA - STANDARD

Hotel Alhambra, located on central park, facing the cathedral with a great balcony for watching the life of Granada and dinning or enjoying a drink. This hotel owned and operated by one of the city's oldest families. A landmark in Granada and convenient to all attractions with a friendly staff. The interior of the hotel has an open-air garden and is smartly decorated with antiques and Nicaraguan art. 56 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. Restaurant (not owned or operated by hotel) offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and is best enjoyed on its long veranda that looks out on Central Park, great for people watching. Granada's best 3 star hotel.

GRANADA - UPGRADES

Hotel Colonial, located a half-block from central park, this 27 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. The hotel's high quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art and use four-post beds. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is for breakfast only. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

Hotel La Gran Francia, located just off central park, this 15 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. We feature the hotel's Jr. suites which all have big wooden colonial doors that open out onto balconies with a view to the Cathedral. These top quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is located across the street and is one of Granada's finest. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

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