With Halloween celebrations in full swing this week, I have been thinking about the nature of haunted travel.
Around the world, there are countless macabre sites that people flock to, to get their share of chills.
I have close to zero tolerance for anything scary (an episode of Goosebumps is about where I tap out on the horror scale), so I don't think anyone could pay me to stay at a property that has a reputation for being haunted. However, there are many who seek out spooky stays. From historic buildings to former morgues – there are plenty of hotels around the world for people to choose from.
One of the most famous is The Emily Morgan hotel in Texas. Standing next to the historic Alamo in San Antonio, The Emily Morgan was built in 1924 as a medical facility.
A Gothic-style building, it was once home to a morgue and a psychiatric ward, but today, it’s a luxury hotel. Plenty of eerie occurrences have been reported by both guests and staff, especially on the property's 7th, 9th and 14th floors, where the hospital’s surgical and morgue areas were once located. Everything from disembodied voices and ghostly apparitions to unexplained medical smells have been reported by visitors.
Another popular destination is Casa Vallejo in the Philippines. Located four hours north of Manila, in Baguio, it was built in 1909 during the American colonial era. Guests and staff frequently report scary encounters across the property, with many apparitions believed to be of refugees who died in the building. Moaning sounds from the basement, where war captives were held, have also been reported.
For those who dare, you can find details of more haunted stays here.
This week, we have also written about six of Asia’s eeriest attractions, from a snake village in Vietnam to a cursed fort in India.
Shape-shifters, snakes, witches and demons are among the creepy characters that haunt these places. Read our rundown of locations infused with chilling mythology, dark history and claims that could make for a Halloween-inspired adventure.
But what about some Halloween entertainment closer to home? We have you covered for that, too. From last-minute costume ideas care of Evelyn Lau, to family-friendly things to do around the UAE, there is a lot to keep people busy this week.
Until next time, safe (and spooky) travels.
Inside Saudi Arabia's luxury Dream of the Desert train
There is an undeniable allure to luxury train travel, and Saudi Arabia is getting in on the action with the Dream of the Desert.
The train, billed as the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East, will feature 31 private suites and two presidential suites and will accommodate up to 66 guests. Set to take its maiden journey at the end of next year, the luxury train, designed by Italian company Arsenale Group, will have two restaurant cars and a majlis lounge "adorned with finely carved wood finishes, desert-inspired hues and golden accents that reflect the warmth and richness of Saudi heritage".
This week, the interiors were unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. See inside the glamorous carriages here.
Tracking family growth through flights
"A significant event that unites most parents who call the UAE home is a baby's first flight," Gemma White wrote in a funny parenting and travel column this week.
"As a mother of three, my children’s lives have been measured in the flights we’ve taken to and from the Emirates. My memories of those journeys serve as an equivalent of the time-honoured tradition of marking their height on the wall."
In a piece that many UAE parents will relate to, she recounts the first flights she took with her children, quipping: "When Anne of Cleves left for England in 1540 to marry Henry VIII, she did so with an entourage of 263 attendants and 228 horses. I would wager they did not carry as much luggage as a parent flying with their baby for the first time."
The piece progresses from early childhood, through toddler and older phases as children. Read the full column here.
In the spotlight: Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has long been overlooked. Internationally, many travellers opt to travel to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh when looking for busy, bustling cities in South-east Asia, and even domestically tourism is focused on Siem Reap, the northern Cambodian city made famous by the magnificent Angkor Wat temple.
But there is plenty to do, see, learn and experience in the Cambodian capital, with an abundance of markets, hostels and street food, as well as temples, museums and five-star hotels – there is something for every traveller.
Here, I've pulled together a tried and tested 24-hour itinerary of things to do while in the Cambodian capital.
Travel news this week
Top travel tip
Solid toiletries are both a traveller's and an eco-warrior's best friend. Blocks of shampoo, conditioner and soap are a given, but you can also find solid toothpaste and perfumes. They save on plastic waste and eliminate the risk of leaks.
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