Halloween Wrap: top dark tourism spots for 2020, Luna Park hosts Halloscream, stay in the Addams Family mansion + MORE!
We’re getting into the spooky spirit today by dressing our office dog as a ghost and letting him loose in the building. Except we forgot to add eye holes, so he hasn’t made it past the office entrance yet.
Here’s where dark tourism fans will flock to in 2020
For travellers who wish Halloween was celebrated all year round, 1Cover has put together a list of the top 13 new ‘dark tourist’ hotspots for 2020.
- Black Taxi Political Tour, Northern Ireland
- Robben Island Prison, South Africa
- The ghost-town of Agdam, Azerbaijan
- North Korea
- Montserrat, Caribbean
- Murambi & Nyamata genocide memorial sites, Rwanda
- Ijen Crater, Indonesia
- Majdanek, Poland
- Magadan, Eastern Siberia
- Bikini Atoll, Pacific Ocean
- Chacabuco concentration camp, Chile
- Battlefield tourism, Falkland Islands
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia
Check out the full list here.
Booking.com unveils Addams Family Mansion experience
Booking.com is celebrating Halloween (and the release of the newest animated The Addams Family movie) by offering travellers the chance to book a real life replica of the iconic Addams Family home.
The three bedrooms, 19th-century era townhouse located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn captures all the macabre that has made The Addams Family a fan favorite. Travellers can tinker with machines in Pugsley’s Room, play with Wednesday’s beheaded doll in the living room, and even care for some of Morticia’s carnivorous plants. Decorated in true Addams Family fashion, there are vases of just rose stems, and yes, Lurch’s famous “you rang” bell. But the website warns to be careful not to get too spooked if Thing appears while exploring the home. The experience comes complete with spooky snacks, a screening of the feature film, and more.
Luna Park hosts Halloscream events
Luna Park is ready to take revellers on the ride of their lives with its darkest event yet: Halloscream 7: Hell on the Harbour.
The event promises unspeakable horrors as the park transforms after dark and is taken over by lost souls, demons and all manner of freaky characters. The park recommends the event is not suitable for the faint-hearted or those under 14 but does encourage costumes and hellish make-up looks.
The gates of hell will open each night to a Satanic Possession Ritual, where Satan and his Gate Keepers loom over the Harbour, and those who dare to enter will be entranced by terrifying sounds from The Skeleton Drummers. This devilish congregation will bring destruction and a post-apocalyptic experience.
There will be three immersive horror mazes within the Big Top: outlaw takes you inside an outback saloon being held up by bushranger bandits so be careful not to be taken hostage; in Ward 13 a nurse has gone insane and has gone on a raging killing spree, and inside Yokai you will delve into the world of Japanese horror folklore.
The event runs between 25 October and 2 November and tickets start from $54.95 and include unlimited rides and Halloscream attractions.
West Lothian holds Spooky gin cruise
Those blessed enough to find themselves in West Lothian, Scottland for the spooky season can indulge in a ‘LinGin’ Halloween cruise.
Run by Linlithgow Distillery for the second year in a row, the cruise’s cruise will be dressing up in their favourite Halloween costumes and encourage guests to do the same.
Burger King showcases haunted hotel in new Halloween ad
Burger King in the US is reaching beyond the grave to promote its new Ghost Whopper sandwich to be released in time for Halloween.
The admittedly rather tasty looking Whopper comes with an eerie spectral-white bun and has been launched to coincide with the festival of all things ghouls and witches.
To promote the new menu item, Burger King has enlisted Riz Mirza, an internationally renowned clairvoyant who can apparently turn his body into a vessel for long-deceased spirits.
The new spot was filmed in Los Angeles’ Alexandria Hotel, which has long been rumoured to be haunted.
In the ad, Mirza enlists a bunch of sceptics and apparently becomes possessed with the spirits of the long since departed who get to air their views of the new Ghost Whopper from beyond the grave.
Belle of Louisville offers BOOze cruise
The Belle of Louisville recently held a special Halloween BOOze Cruise for all the adult Halloween revellers out there.
The festivities kicked off at 9pm and were $45 per person including two alcoholic drinks. According to Wlky, the cruise included a costume competition with the first-place prize winner awarded a ticket to the 2020 Thunder Over Louisville event.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
1 cover booking.com burger king dark tourism halloween luna park spooky cruiseLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!