A new trend is growing amongst thrill-seeking travellers: ghost tourism. Here’s what it is and where you should go to experience a touch of the supernatural whilst on holiday.
What is Ghost Tourism?
The idea is simple. Ghost tourism refers to holidays that involve learning about apparitions and hauntings. It also includes trips that involve encounters with spectres. An example might be staying in a haunted hotel or going on a late-night ghost walk around a spooky town.
This type of tourism actually has a rich history. People have visited Scotland, for example, for years in hopes of encountering the paranormal. Though most tourists these days don’t expect to see any spectral figures, they are interested in the history of hauntings.
If you like getting goosebumps and the creepy feeling that someone is standing behind you, this might be the travel trend for you.
Supernatural Spots: Where to Go to Get a Thrill
Here are some of the best places to start if you want to get your blood pumping and maybe, just maybe, give yourself a few nightmares.
• Salem Witch Walk – Salem is famous for its witch trials and this mystical walk features an unusual witchcraft ceremony.
• The Most Haunted Castle in Europe – It is Denmark’s Dragsholm Slot that has earned this title. Legend has it that Mary, Queen of Scots’ husband died a painful death in the dungeons.
• Ghost Towns – Deserted towns, with their unmistakably mournful atmosphere, have long been popular with tourists. Some of the best are Kayakoy in Turkey, Oradour-sur-Glane in France and St. Elmo in Colorado.
• Wall Street Walk – Discover Wall Street’s history from a different angle. Learn about Alexander Hamilton, the Wall Street Crash and the spirits left behind.
• Sweet Dreams - Haunted hotels are big business. Stay in the Stanley Hotel in Colorado (it inspired The Shining). Or, if you have a real taste for the macabre, you can spend the night in the home of the infamous Lizzie Borden.
You don’t have to devote your entire holiday to searching for ghouls but including one of these places as a day (or night) trip can add an extra frisson of excitement to your trip.
What’s more, it is an interesting way to experience a different side to a country’s culture than is seen in museums or art galleries.
Boo-fore You Go
You’ll soon realise that ghost hunting is truly addictive – one trip just won’t be enough. Before you head off, take out an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. That way no matter how many trips you take a year you are covered for accidents, theft of your valuables or other mishaps. Ideally, all travel would be risk-free; however annual multi-trip travel insurance makes sure you won’t lose out in the unlikely event that something does go wrong. (Disclaimer: No insurance can help you if a sneaky poltergeist steals your stuff, so make sure keep your eyes open while ghost hunting!)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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