Published 28th Jun. 2021
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As respectable adults, we are (sadly) considered too old by society to dress up as vampires and go door to door demanding Haribo. While this is desperately disappointing, the rise of 'dark tourism' means we can take your Halloween to the next level. So save the face paint for the kids and get your thrills by sinking your teeth into some of these spine-chilling experiences...
Bat Migration, Zambia
One of the most jaw-dropping natural phenomenons, the bat migration across Zambia's Kasanka National Park is a truly dramatic sight to behold. As if from a Hitchcock film, see the silhouettes of millions of winged creatures darken the sky above your head come sunset. While they may conjure up images of blood sucking vampires, fear not - fruit bats, as their name suggests, do indeed prefer the taste of fruit to flesh. The migration starts in mid-October and begins to tail off come December, making Halloween a great time to see this fantastic spectacle.
The Children of Llullaillaco, Salta
If you have a penchant for the macabre, a visit to the Children of Llullaillaco is a must. In 1999, the mummified bodies of three Inca children were discovered near the summit of the Llullaillaco stratovolcano on the border between Chile and Argentina. It is believed that the children were sacrificed as part of an Incan ritual and were drugged and forced to drink alcohol in their final months to make them more compliant before being left in a room to starve. The mummified children are considered to be among the best preserved mummies in the world, so much so that they were declared 'National Historic Property of Argentina' and are on display in the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology in the Argentinian city of Salta. This is surely one of the finest examples of 'dark tourism' out there...
Salem Ghost Tours, Massachusetts
If Halloween were a place, it would be Salem in Massachusetts. The very name conjures up images of witch trials, black cats and spooky houses with pointed gables. During the Salem Witch Trials over 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 19 were executed as a result. Although the trials ended in 1693, the city's chilling past is never far away. Multiple accounts of eerie, cold and unexplainable sensations have been recorded over the years, as unwitting tourists walk boldly down the shadowy, cobblestone streets. Test your bravery with a tour of the city's most haunted spots, or - for the more faint-hearted - visit the scattering of museums and historic attractions.
Dracula's Castle, Transylvania
If you think a vampire might be after you on a visit Transylvania, you might also want to consider keeping an eye out for the bears, wolves and lynxes that (also) call the country home. Beasts aside, Bran Castle is a must-see in Romania. Impressive and imposing, it is the only place that fits Bram Stoker's description of Dracula's Castle. On a guided tour, experience the gothic novel of Dracula come to life as you wander the maze of nooks and crannies and scale a secret stairway to a wood-panelled library. Just waiting for fresh meat to walk through its doors, Bran Castle stands proudly on top of a cliff on the outskirts of Bran town and locals still believe there is a presence of evil spirits in the area...
The Day of The Dead, Mexico
Despite the scary-sounding name, the Mexican Day of the Dead (or Dia De Los Muertos) is actually an enlightening festival where people can honour their departed family members. Families arrive with offerings for the dead - favourite foods and drinks, flowers and photos - with the aim of encouraging a visit from beyond the grave. Far from being a mournful festival, it is considered a holiday for celebrating life as much as death, with people dressing up in colourful traditional dress and painting skull smiles on their faces as if laughing at death itself.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
October tends to have more of a reputation for pumpkin-spiced lattes and knitted jumpers than sunny European holidays, but we’re here to change that. As tempting as it is to romanticise autumn and embrace all things cosy, Southern Europe’s gloriously warm forecast makes a very compelling case for one last escape to the sun. From Crete’s crystal-clear waters to Cyprus’ rolling wine country, there’s plenty of destinations to top up your vitamin D reserves before winter well and truly starts to bite.
27th July 2026 - Travel Inspiration
One of our Asia specialists, Joyce, recently spent two weeks exploring South Korea, journeying from Seoul’s neon-lit streets to Busan’s breezy coastline, with stops in Jeonju, Yeosu and Suncheon along the way. From swishing around palace grounds in a traditional hanbok to exploring folk villages and shopping her way through the trendiest streets, it was certainly an adventure to remember. She returned home with a bulging suitcase and a travel journal teeming with tips, tricks and plenty of inspiration for your next South Korean getaway.
13th July 2026 - South Korea Travel Inspiration
Not quite ready to face summer coming to an end? With crunchy leaves, cosy jumpers and pumpkin-spiced lattes all on the horizon, September is the ideal time for one last hurrah in the European sun – just think of it as topping up your vitamin D reserves before autumn settles in properly, leaving you with a healthy glow (and plenty of holiday memories) to see you through the colder months. So, where’s hot in Europe in September?
29th June 2026 - Travel Inspiration
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