Ya'll know I love Halloween. Let's get spooky!
Who says your travels have to be all sunshine and spa days? Sometimes the best adventures come with a side of goosebumps. If you and your boo (pun 100% intended) love ghost stories, gothic vibes, and just the right amount of spooky sprinkled into your luxury escape, this list is for you.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Fog, cobblestone streets, and centuries of creepy tales? Yes, please. From the underground vaults to Greyfriars Kirkyard (where the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist allegedly hangs out), Edinburgh is basically a playground for ghost hunters in kilts.
Travel Pro Tip: Book a late-night ghost tour. It’s spookier after dark and way less crowded. Bonus: a nip of Scotch beforehand helps with nerves.
Savannah, Georgia
This Southern belle has some skeletons in her closets (literally). Take a candlelit ghost tour through the city’s historic mansions or stay in one of its “oh-so-charming-but-maybe-haunted” B&Bs.
Travel Pro Tip: Head to the Pirate’s House for dinner, which is one of the most haunted restaurants in the U.S.
Prague, Czech Republic
Medieval bridges, gothic churches, and legends older than your great-great-great-grandma. Prague’s Old Town and castles practically ooze spooky energy. It's perfect for couples who want a side of romance with their chills.
Travel Pro Tip: Visit Prague Castle at twilight for stunning photo ops. Bring comfy shoes because those cobblestones aren’t playing.stunning photo ops. Bring comfy shoes because those cobblestones aren’t playing.stunning photo ops. Bring comfy shoes because those cobblestones aren’t playing.stunning photo ops. Bring comfy shoes because those cobblestones aren’t playing.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jazz, voodoo, and a whole lot of paranormal drama. The French Quarter is buzzing with ghostly legends (and also beignets, which help with the nerves). Pop into a haunted bar for a cocktail and see if anything besides the drink makes you tipsy.
Travel Pro Tip: Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with a licensed guide. You’ll learn about voodoo queen Marie Laveau and dodge getting lost in the maze of tombs.
Mexico City, Mexico
Celebrate Día de los Muertos in full technicolor glory, or if you’re braver than me, explore the eerie Island of the Dolls. Equal parts beautiful and scary.
Travel Pro Tip: Time your trip for late October/early November to experience Día de los Muertos festivals, parades, and altars in their full glory.
London, England
If walls could talk, the Tower of London would scream. From Anne Boleyn sightings to haunted pubs where you can sip a pint with a poltergeist, London is a spooky lover’s dream.
Travel Pro Tip: Pop into The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields, infamous for its Jack the Ripper connections, then take a ghost walk through East London.
Transylvania, Romania
Cue the dramatic organ music. Home of Count Dracula himself, this region is more than just vampire clichés. It has castles, misty mountains, and folklore that’ll have you checking under the bed.
Travel Pro Tip: Stay overnight at a guesthouse near Bran Castle to soak in the Dracula vibes. Maybe just pack some garlic for peace of mind.
Charleston, South Carolina
This charming city has gorgeous architecture, amazing food, and… restless spirits from centuries past. Walk through haunted jailhouses or take a ghost tour by horse-drawn carriage (yes, spooky but make it bougie).
Travel Pro Tip: Book a tour of the Old City Jail. It’s considered one of the most haunted spots in America and is extra scary at dusk.
Paris, France
Romance and… the Catacombs. Imagine strolling hand-in-hand down tunnels lined with millions of bones (nothing says “forever love” like an eternal roommate situation).
Travel Pro Tip: Skip the main Catacombs ticket line by booking a small-group tour in advance. There will be less waiting and more time whispering sweet nothings in the dark.
Venice, Italy
By day: gondolas, canals, prosecco. By night: haunted palazzos and legends of cursed islands (hello, Poveglia Island). Venice is equal parts swoony and spooky.
Travel Pro Tip: Stay in a historic Venetian palazzo-turned-hotel. The decor is dripping in gothic vibes, and some even offer ghost stories as part of the experience.
So, are you ready to snuggle up with your sweetheart in a haunted castle, toast martinis in a ghostly bar, or chase legends around the world? I’ll help you plan the perfect blend of spooky and swoony—whether that’s a haunted European castle stay or a Halloween-weekend escape in the U.S.
Click below to plan your spooky-yet-luxurious getaway with New Dawn Vacations. Because love is eternal, and your vacation vibes can be too.