Halloween is one of the most fun and exciting holidays of the year! There’s just something about ghosts, goblins, and monsters that captivates our attention. For some reason, we love getting scared, which is probably why horror movies such as “A Quiet Place” or the aptly named “Halloween” grossed over $150 million in 2018 alone.
And while scary movies are great in October, nothing beats the real thing. That’s why we’ve got four of the most haunted destinations to visit this year. But before you visit, be sure to find the right SIM global plan to share your scary adventures with friends and family back home!
1) Salem, Massechussettes, United States
You’ve likely heard of the Salem Witch Trials before (or at least have read The Crucible) and for good reason. In 1692, as the story goes, a physician began diagnosing teenage girls as “bewitched.” The result? 19 people were tried and hung for practicing witchcraft. Though it was over 300 years ago, it is well known that Salem, MA, is still one of the most haunted places in the United States to date. For a real thrill, stay in the haunted “Hawthorne Hotel” built in 1925. As CreepyGhostStories.com says, “In room #325 many people report of being touched by “no one” along with hearing the cries of a baby, and if that wasn’t enough to make you want to change rooms, then maybe witnessing the taps turning on [as if] by themselves will.” If you’re in the area, check out one of the local ghost tours. This can be a fun event to do with the entire family (so long as your kids are a little older), especially if you want to learn more about Salem’s rich and haunted history!
2) Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, England
This former bar-turned-hotel has been studied by paranormal experts for decades. Most famously, it was featured on the hit television shows Ghost Hunter and Most Haunted, though there have been other paranormal investigations as well. Opened in 1145, this house has had centuries of stories proving its place on the list of the world’s creepiest destinations. One of the more popular legends involves a witch being burned at the stake over 500 years ago. Legend also suggests that there is a paranormal link to Stonehenge, though some are skeptical. But the scariest part about the Ancient Ram Inn can be accurately traced back to the 1960s, when John Humphries took over. Mr Humphries tried to protect this building (and its haunted history) by making it his home. While there, TravelChannel.com suggests he found some spooky surprises: “Inside his home, Humphries has found evidence of ritual sacrifice and Devil worship. Even more disturbing, he discovered the skeletal remains of children under the staircase. Within the skeletons were found broken daggers, which he believes were used in a deadly ritual and then broken, so that they could never be used again.” It’s easy to see why the Ancient Ram Inn is one of the best places for horror lovers to travel this upcoming Halloween!
3) Port Aurthur, Australia
Though Port Aurthur was, tragically, put on the map by a mass shooting in 1996, this Tasmanian city has a gruesome history that spans centuries. Most people know that Australia was originally used as a prison for British criminals, but Port Authur is where they sent the worst of the worst and their spirits are still said to wander the town today. Many of these prisoners were victims of harsh, brutal conditions and either beaten or starved to death. What’s worse is that Port Aurthur became a juvenile prison as well, meaning children were often subjected to its torment. Legend has it that their miserable souls will never find comfort but can be heard wailing for help. As Cheryl Adams Rickhoff tells us, “People have reported that certain prison cells have held their former occupant’s depressed spirits in them, have heard the moans of the child prisoners at one of the facilities, and experienced mysterious disturbances at the officer’s households.” If you find yourself in Tasmania this Halloween, visiting Port Aurthur is an absolute must. Check out one of the prison ghost tours leaving nightly at dusk.
4) Catacombs, Paris, France
The city of lights is one of the most popular destinations for tourists on the planet. In 2017 alone, Paris exceeded 40 million visitors and that number has only risen. Heading to the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower are all “must-sees,” but for those who want a creepier adventure, the Catacombs are worth checking out. Under the streets of Paris lie the remains of over 6 million people. While you can take an ordinary tour of the Catacombs (which is quite common), most people don’t ever hear the terrifying legends wandering the dark, empty hallows every night when the tourists are gone. Local “cataphiles” (people who take unguided and illegal tours of the tombs of their own will) have countless horror stories including hearing voices, finding video footage of lost wanderers, or seeing Philibert Aspairt, a doorman at the Vale-de-Grâce during the French Revolution. TheTourGuy.com tells the tragic tale of how Philibert went down to the cellar for some wine, got lost, and never returned. His body was discovered 11 years later and while his physical remains were buried where he died, his spiritual remains haunt the Catacombs each year on the 3rd of November. If you want to learn more, you can take a tour of the Catacombs or, if you’re really interested, track down a local cataphile for more legends. But a word of caution: exploring the tombs without a professional guide isn’t only illegal, but highly dangerous and should never be attempted. In other words, for your own safety, stick with the guided tours.
Final thoughts
Halloween is fun for all ages. While dressing up, watching movies, and seeing haunted houses are all fun, nothing beats seeing some of these creepy destinations up close and in person. So while you’re traveling the world this October 31st, be sure to stay connected with a SIM global plan that allows you to text or call to your heart’s delight. After all, you may have trouble sleeping in your hotel room after visiting these spooky spots!