October is the month of all things ghostlike and ghoulish. It's when spider webs and pumpkins spring up outside houses and when ghastly costumes and scary stories come to the fore. If all this Halloween mania has sparked your inner ghost-hunter, or if you're keen for the eerie vibes to last longer than a night of trick or treating, then take a look at these destinations, which are more than capable of bewitching tourists year round.
From the most obscure and unusual to the downright terrifying, these locales have intrigued and terrified travellers for years. Visit if you dare.
New Zealand’s pitch black caves
The mesmerising damp caves of Waitomo on New Zealand's North Island are pitch-black caverns sprinkled with only one light source – the glimmer of thousands of indigenous glow-worms that live deep inside the cavern. Hop aboard a boat and sail through the stillness of this surreal world accompanied by an expert guide who'll tell you more about the 120-year history of this galaxy of tiny living lights. For a ghost hunter experience, spend the night at Waitomo Caves Hotel, a place that was once voted the country's most haunted abode. The building dates back to 1908 and has a history of hauntings.
Fly direct to Auckland from Dubai with Emirates, prices start at Dh6,800 for the 16-hour flight
The hanging coffins of the Philippines
While many cultures bury their dead out of sight, in Sagada's Echo Valley, coffins have been draped from cliff faces for centuries. Located in a mountainous province about 400 kilometres from Manila, the mysterious village of Sagada is a world away from the tropical image usually associated with the Philippines. The local Igorot tribe that lived here believed that hanging their dead from coffins nailed to cliffs brought the a step closer to the afterlife. In this part of the Philippines, you can expect pine trees in place of palm trees and mist-covered caves rather than sandy beaches, but it's a fascinating find. "Sagada's hanging coffins are a unique sight in the Philippines, an interesting custom that's equal parts fascinating and eerie," says J B Macatulad, a writer at Will Fly For Food, who has visited the region times.
From Dubai to Manila with return fares starting at Dh1,200
La Paz’s Witches Market
Located about 3,600 metres above sea level, La Paz has just been named as one of the world's top 10 cities to visit by Lonely Planet, which commented on its "newfound ambition". But Bolivia's capital of cool is also home to one of its most traditional marketplaces. The Mercado de las Brujas is a witch doctor bazaar where herbal cures, folk remedies and unorthodox ingredients are sold in bulk. Expect impromptu fire ceremonies, talisman peddlers and an abundance of llama foetuses – the locals believe they bring good luck. If you're looking for a place to get some rest after a day spent exploring the market, try the nearby La Casona Hotel. This colonial mansion with original 17th century features and a huge outdoor terrace is so pretty, you might not believe it's haunted.
Fly to La Paz from Abu Dhabi with Etihad and Avianca. Fares start at about Dh7,000 and the journey takes about 28 hours, depending on stopovers
Nepal’s unexplained peak
Towering 7,000 metres into the sky Nepal's Annapurna mountain range, Machapuchare – or fish tail mountain – is perhaps the most untouched place on Earth. There's been a climbing ban in effect here since the 1950s, so the mountain looks set to retain its undiscovered status at least for the foreseeable future. Sudeep Upretee, who lives in the Kathmandu valley, says: "People who live near the mountain say that their fingernails and hair grow faster than is normal and anyone who spends a lot of time there, begins to get older faster" Perhaps this one is best admired from afar.
Fly to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi with Himalaya Airlines ares from Dh1,4001. The flight takes less than four hours
Oman’s mystical walls of Bahla
Closer to home and about 200 kilometres from Muscat, Bahla is one of the oldest oases in Oman, and also happens to be shrouded in a legend laced with occult forces and evil spirits. This place has been called the home of the jinn, or untamed spirits, who some people believe live in the shadows of Bahla Fort. The imposing fortress dates to the pre-Islamic era and is open to the public. While you probably won't come face-to-face with any jinn, you probably will come across some sleeping black bats.
Take the one-hour flight to Muscat with Salam Air from Abu Dhabi conomy fares start at Dh580
India's skeleton lake
If you like a mystery then this one is for you. About 5,000 metres above sea level in the Himalayan Mountains, Roopkund Lake is home to the scattered remains of several hundred bodies of unknown origin. Colloquially known as Skeleton Lake, how the bodies got there or where they came from remains a mystery. The glacial lake is frozen for the majority of the year, but in summer it reveals its harrowing contents. The mystery of the bodies – which were discovered in 1942 – remained unsolved until a few years ago, when scientists documented that the cause of death was huge frozen hailstones. The cold temperature in the region has preserved bones, hair and flesh, and the site attracts thousands of dark tourists.
Fly from Dubai to Dehradun via New Delhi with Air India. Fares start from Dh1,200 and the journey takes about six hours, depending on connection times
Haunted tales in Banff
The Fairmont Banff Springs offers luxury accommodation and postcard views of what is undoubtedly some of the prettiest land in Canada. Mountains, glaciers and evergreen forests surround this Hogwarts-like hotel, which has fine-dining, upmarket bars and a luxurious spa. But wander down to the back of the hotel and you'll find a stone spiral staircase where, rumour has it, a bride-to-be tripped on her dress on her way to her wedding ceremony, which was being held in the Mount Stephen Hall. The eternal bride is now believed to haunt the hotel, and there have been several sightings of a ghostly woman clad in white wandering the grounds. If you're staying up on one of the towers on the ninth floor, unexplained noises and haunting echoes are to be reported.
Fly to Calgary with British Airways via London ares start from Dh5,200 and the journey is around 21 hours
Vampire trails in Scotland
With its storied past, Scotland is full of haunting tales. In the north of the country, on the Aberdeenshire coast, Cruden Bay is at first glance a pretty little fishing village, but dig deeper, and you'll discover an unsettling past. In the 19th century, it was the holiday haunt of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. The ruins of Slains Castle, which drape murkily down from the headland, inspired Stoker's vision of Count Dracula's castle. Visitors can book a stay at the Kilmarnock Arms Inn, where Stoker stayed in 1895, . Would you risk a visit to the place where the most infamous vampire in history was incarcerated?
Fly to Edinburgh with Emirates from Dubai from Dh2,200 for the eight-hour flight
Cemetery walking in New Orleans
Louisiana's oldest and most haunted cemetery is home to more than 100,000 souls, many of which lie in decaying crypts. aunted by ghosts of yellow fever epidemic victims and civil war battles s you wander around St Louis Cemetery No 1, you should also be on the lookout for the ghost of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen from the 1800s, who is said to shove those who don't visit with respect. Two Chicks Walking Tours offer excursions of the grounds and describe it as: "A sacred site full of mystique steeped in history. The walkways are quite thin in places with tombs of various styles throughout. While it's maintained today by the Catholic church, a religious syncretism existed for a time."
Fly to New Orleans via Chicago with Etihad. Journey time is about 20 hours depending on connections and fares start from Dh7,000
Celebrity Hollywood ghosts
Los Angeles is a hard city to leave, but for some people, it's downright impossible. Marilyn Monroe is thought to be one of the many restless spirits haunting the City of Angels. She's rumoured to roam the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where she lived for two years when she was an aspiring model. The hotel was built in 1927 and room 1200 is where Marilyn is believed to reside. Since Monroe's death in 1962, there have been several reports of guests seeing a woman's shape in the mirror and feeling cold spots in the room. The hotel's operator has also reported a series of mysterious phone calls originating from the same room.
Fly direct to Los Angeles with Emirates. Fares cost from Dh5,150 and flight time is around 16 hours
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 (-2)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1,775
19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
