Easter, the second-largest religious holiday for the Christian world, is celebrated at the end of the 40-days of the religious abstinence of lent and falls on Sunday, April 1 this year. While the fast officially came to an end on Thursday, the steadfast tradition in the Christian and Western world is to celebrate the beloved Easter Sunday with a lavish feast traditionally held as a brunch. Decorating eggs and giving gifts of chocolates shaped like eggs or bunnies are also purchased for staging egg hunts for the little ones.

While this holiday is not widely celebrated in Turkey, there are a number of traditions in place that can be comforting to the expat away from home during this sentimental holiday traditionally spent with family. One of the greatest traditions in the expat community during this holiday is to indulge in an Easter brunch, which is offered yearly at a number of Istanbul's most iconic hotels, equipped with entertaining and seasonal activities for kids.

Where to enjoy an Easter brunch buffet

On Sunday, April 1, Terrace Restaurant at the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus will be hosting the Spirit of Easter Brunch with a special buffet, activities for kids and live music. Located in Harbiye, the Hilton terrace is famous for its spectacular vies and holiday brunches. This Sunday's Easter brunch will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended and the cost is TL 165 ($40) per person with a 50 percent discount for children between the ages of 6 to 12 and free entrance for kids under 6.

Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, located in Levent will be hosting a traditional Easter brunch on Sunday, April 1 at AzzuR Restaurant from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. This family-friendly festive feast will have a buffet featuring brunch classics and breakfast favorites as well as homemade pastas and pizza alongside a dessert buffet featuring a chocolate fountain. For the kids, there will be bunnies galore in their Easter-themed decor and a special Easter chocolate course in which children will decorate Easter eggs, participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and enjoy a clown show. Reservations are recommended for this all-encompassing Easter brunch, which costs TL 140 per person with 50 percent off for children between the ages of 7 and 12 and free for those 6 and under.

The Conrad Istanbul in Beşiktaş will also be hosting a special Easter breakfast on Sunday April 1 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Summit Bar &Terrace among spectacular views of the Bosporus. On the sidelines there will also be an Easter egg dying activity for the kids. Reservations are recommended and the cost is TL 110 per person with 50 percent off for children aged six to 12 and free for those under 6.

Finding the flavors of the Easter tradition

If you would rather forego a lavish feast at a fancy hotel and enjoy some of the traditional tastes of Easter at home, well then you are in luck because Turkey, thanks to its Armenian and Greek Orthodox communities, actually produces a delightful Easter bread referred to as Paskalya çöreği, with Paskalya being the Turkish word for Easter. You can find the beloved Paskalya çöreği at bakeries all over the country at this time of the year and in some cases year-round. Favorite locations for the fluffy egg loaf are Baylan and Beyaz Fırın in Kadıköy and Ustun Palmie, Arma Pastanesi and Nazar Pastanesi in Feriköy.As for the chocolate bunnies and eggs that sweeten this holiday, there are a number of retailers where you can find Easter-themed candy in Turkey. Kahve Dünyası, Macro Center and Vakko Chocolate all have a wide selection.

In a league of its own: Le Cuistot Studio

The brainchild of Belgian expat and chef Carlos Le Cuistot, Le Cuistot Studio located in Tarabya has a wide variety of exquisite gifts for this Easter, such as Belgian chocolate eggs, chocolate rabbits, mini Easter cakes and a whole medley of gift items that could compose the perfect gift basket, which they also have a selection of. Popular with the expat crowd, Le Cuistot Studio offers tempting treats daily, such as croissants and other French pastries, quiches, tartines, soups, gourmet starters, salads, pastas and mains, such as schnitzel and steak. Carlos also holds weekly "Gourmet Nights" with one coming up this Saturday evening, March 31, starting at 8 p.m., which will have a smoked quail salad, mushroom cream soup, rabbit cooked with wild mushrooms in a Belgian beer sauce and profiteroles with a Belgian chocolate sauce and ice cream for dessert.