Spooky Holidays for Halloween
MEDIA RELEASE: MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 2007 Spooky holidays for Halloween Responsibletravel.com, the world’s leading directory of specialist holidays, reveals the top trips and places to stay for all the family this Halloween. From a Count’s guesthouse in Transylvania or a spooky space ship in Ireland to The Day of the Dead Festival celebrations in Latin America or a wacky festival in Pakistan, it’s time to get on your broomstick and explore. Visit www.responsibletravel.com/halloween for more details of the holidays below. 1. Stay with a Count in a Transylvanian B&B, Romania – from just £25 per person Stay at the Count’s guesthouse in a remote village in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Dating back to the 1800s, this guesthouse has been extensively restored and furnished with antique furniture to regain its old charm and character. Discover Transylvania, retrace Count Dracula’s steps or spook yourself out by going bear and wolf tracking in the nearby forest. Additional activities include bird watching, hiking, sauna, horseriding or horse-sleigh tours around the village. All inclusive packages with full board, wine and excursions are also available. 2. Tailor-made family holiday in Danube Delta, Transylvania – from just £459 for 4 days (ex flights) This four day trip takes in Vlad Dracula’s birth place; the Vlad Dracu House Restaurant, the very place where Vlad the Impaler was born; the Torture Room, the former prison of the citadel, plus the city of Brasov and its Black Church. This trip can be tailor-made at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary. Price includes English speaking guide, accommodation, welcome dinner, transfers from and to airport, trip to Bran and Brasov, entry fees to tourist attractions in Sighisoara, Brasov and Bran. 3. Holiday to Mexico for the Day of the Dead – 29 October for 9 days, from £1,034 (ex flights) This nine day trip takes place during the fascinating Latin festival – the Day of the Dead, in Oaxaca, Mexico . Experience the buzz in the air as families visit markets, prepare homemade mole, hot chocolate and ‘pan de muertos' for their friends and family, both living and departed. Visit Xoxocotlán cemetery where magical candlelight vigils are held the night of 31 October, and then enjoy a traditional Day of the Dead meal in the home of one of Oaxaca ’s most accomplished local artists. 4. Holiday in Guatemala for the Day of the Dead – 26 October for 10 to 12 days, from £987 (ex flights) On 1 November, the cemetery at Santiago Sacatepequez bursts into colour as families build and fly giant kites meant to communicate with the souls of their dearly departed. Learn about traditional Mayan textiles; visit micro-loan communities at Lake Atitlán; immerse yourself in the world of coffee workers and explore the UNESCO world heritage city of Antigua and shop in local markets. 5. County Sligo retreat accommodation, Ireland – from £11 per person, per night Shaped like a space ship, this unusual green and discreet, 100ft wide wooden ecolodge is Ireland’s quirkiest, located near Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo. Somewhat spooky from the outside, this friendly place has a fun, relaxed atmosphere, an open fire and large movie screen in the circular entrance hall and a cosy, glass domed library. More adventurous types can explore ancient archaeology sites, go surfing, go cycling or hike in the nearby Bricklieve mountains. Choose to stay in a dorm room (from £14), double room (from £19) or interior tent in the big hall (from £11). Pets welcome by arrangement. 6. Snow leopards and festivals in Pakistan, 8 December, from £1,950 for 14 days, including flights, full board, accommodation, transfers and entrance fees For something wacky and weird a little later in the year, this is undoubtedly the ultimate in real exploration. Precious few westerners have seen the extraordinary Kalash winter festival of Chamos – the most important time of the year for the Kalash when life, the gods and the ancestors are celebrated in a week long party. Men are required to cleanse themselves with goat’s blood before the festival. This trip also includes time seeking out the elusive snow leopard, which has been sighted here three years running. Stay in tents in the wild, at a beautiful fort and in local guesthouses throughout this incredible trip. Please note, some parts of this itinerary are advised against by the FCO – please read their website before deciding to travel. For further information or to make a booking, visit www.responsibletravel.com/halloween or call 01273 600030. - ends - Notes to editors responsibletravel.com is an on-line travel agent - based in Brighton, England - launched in 2001 for travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people. responsibletravel.com markets carefully pre-screened holidays from over 270 leading worldwide tourism brands and businesses. More about the company here. Contact: Krissy Pentland press@responsibletravel.com 01273 648 519 or 07717 348368 |
