Is the idea of dolling out candy driving you batty? Haunted by the thought of thinking up yet another pop-culturally relevant costume? This October, escape the boo-ring old routine and trick or treat yo’self to a last minute Halloween-themed getaway with TourRadar, the world’s largest online travel agency for multi-day tours.
From cultural festivities such as Haiti’s Fet Gede and Mexico’s Day of the Dead to visiting Dracula’s castle in Transylvania or the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, here are four Halloween-themed TourRadar trips guaranteed to lift your spirits:
Hit the dance floor in Dracula’s Castle
Spend All Hallow’s Eve in the enchanting Hotel Dracula’s Castle on this 7-day Transylvania Halloween Party tour. Dance the night away at the Draculestilor Ball, then get your adrenaline pumping by visiting The Count’s coffin, housed in the basement of the hotel. Arrive in the famous vampire’s birthplace Sighisoara, for a festive Romanian dinner—complete with a spirit pairing—then participate in the famed Ritual Killing of the Living Dead, a local burying tradition said to set captive souls free. Discover the Medieval Saxon city of Brasov, admire the Black Church and Ecaterina’s Gate, then spend the night at Bran Castle, where guests are treated to an exclusive screening of a surprise horror movie and a sampling of local blood-red wines.
Honor Fet Gede in Haiti
Learn about Haitian Vodou traditions and celebrate Fet Gede, the annual festival honoring the spirits of the dead, on this 7-day Haiti Halloween tour. Starting in Port-Au-Prince, visit the city’s cemetery to witness Fet Gede ceremonies, before meeting Atis Rezistans, a group of artists who create unique art from recycled items. The next day, get into the spirit of the season at a peristyle (Voudou temple), where you’ll witness the elaborate costumes and dancing unique to this important ceremony; and perhaps have a taste of Barbancourt rum. Later, see the island on a guided hike through the mountains of La Visite National Park before enjoying a beach day near the southern port town of Jacmel. Discover the French colonial architecture, papier-mâché masks, carved wooden handicrafts, and local street art of Jacmel, and cap off the adventure with a visit to the nearby Bassin Bleu waterfall.
Get in the spirit of America’s haunted history
America is known for its twisted tales, from the Headless Horsemen to the witches of Salem—and travelers can experience them first-hand on the 7-day Halloween in America tour. Kick off a bloody good time roaming Boston’s Freedom Trail while learning tales of its historic battles, glory and gore. Discover the city’s sinister past on a cemetery tour of a 400-year-old burial ground, then visit the oldest restaurant in the country, the Union Oyster House, where you can swap scary stories while mollusk-shucking. In Salem, consider the downsides of mob mentality at the Witch Museum or visit the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, the house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of the Seven Gables. On to Sleepy Hollow, home of the legendary Headless Horseman, for a hair-raising display of over 7,000 hand-carved illuminated jack-o’-lanterns. From there, head to Manhattan for the annual Village Halloween Parade, and join spooktacularly dressed New Yorkers as they take over 6th Street for the ultimate costume party.
Attend Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration
Immerse yourself in the ancient cuisine and culture of southern Mexico’s most famous festival on this 9-day Real Day of the Dead Oaxaca adventure. Starting in Oaxaca, explore the giant sand tapestries—specially made for Day of the Dead—at the Museo del Palacio and witness shrines decorated with toys, food, and candles in a local cemetery. Step into a local resident’s home to learn about the ancient Aztec customs behind Mexico’s most iconic celebration, and wander the city’s colorful plazas and markets, stopping to sample a sugar skull—a predominant figure in Mesoamerican cultures and favored sweet treat—along the way. Later, witness Shamanic cleansing ceremonies in San Juan Chamula before traveling into the Mexican highlands, stopping in the pastel-hued town of San Cristobal del las Casas. Finish the trip with a beachfront getaway in Playa Del Carmen spent snorkeling with sea turtles, swimming in cenotes, and enjoying a margarita—or two.
