Countries, Deals, Europe, Halloween

Scary Prague and Paris below our feet

They’re two of Europe’s great cities and for the month that’s in it, let’s look at scary Prague and Paris below our feet.

Because our friends Cassideeeeh Trrrrravel (soz) have flagged up what’s under the flagstones in the Czech and French capitals for frighteningly good prices.

And while most will look up in wonder, and rightfully so, at the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge and Eiffel Tower and Montmartre in those cities.

For horror fans the fun is going underground.

Only here for the beer and the Fear

Hard to bear: Prague Fear House

In Prague, the city of 1,000 spires the aspiring ghost lives down under the floorboards of Prague Fear House.

This being the country where more people drink beer per head of population than any other in the world your tour naturally revolves around a bar.

We’re told it is lit with dark, gothic interiors shades and gooey candy eyeballs garnishing tiki cocktail mugs. 

Our grisly associates at Europehaunts tell us that there are a choice of hardcore and regular tours where you interact with actors.

Czech it out: Strahov Monastery Brewery in Czechia

All guaranteed to make you go shriek in the night and retailing from £5854pp.

As much as any nuclear bunker, the likes of which we saw on our dip down.

To that post-apocalyptic world on our Prague Communist Tour

You’ll travel out on January 10, 2025 for two nights staying at the 4* Hotel St George. Prices from €249pps.

The fear of Dieu

Bravo: Francophile Jimmy

Now, if Prague can be scarily good then mais oui Paris would put the fear of Dieu into you.

Particularly if you’re paying homage to Oscar Wilde or Edith Piaf at the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris at closing time.

And the Monsieur comes a-ringing his bell to get you out.

Paris is we know haunted by hunchbacks and horrifying hommes et madames from the other world.

Skulls and crosses: In the Catacombs in Paris

And boasts the largest underground ossuary in the world, the Catacombes of Paris.

A 1500m-long route 20 metres deep, for an extraordinary visit.

You’ll fly on January 17 for two nights.

And stay at the 4* The Originals, Maison Montmartre. Prices from €229pps.

 

Countries, Halloween, Ireland

The Banshees of Irish-own

With apologies to Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson but every Irish family has one, they’re the Banshees of Irish-own.

My Dear Old Mum’s family, the McNulty/McGlincheys were the pre-eminent clan of their townland Brockagh of their time, the early 20th century.

And so when matters of import for the dynasty occurred the community heard about it.

And when one of the 15 (yes, f-i-f-t-e-e-n) children fell in The Great War the banshee was the first to alert the McNulty Matriarch.

Even before the Man from the War Office arrived with the commemorative pot and the document confirming one of her sons had died in Flanders.

The spirit of Ireland

He’s behind you: Ghostly happenings

Their spirit still blows through the Co. Donegal hamlet.

And you might feel their presence all the more at this time of year as the ghosties gather for Halloween.

Which is, as we all know, is a Celtic feast the Irish exported to the New World and which we imported back from Hallmark.

Now, we’re contractually obliged to say that other banshees are available.

Farrell’s phantom

Ghoul force: Gleeson and Farrell

And if you want to follow in the phantom steps of the Banshees of Inisherin from the film.

Then the good people of Achill in Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland are happy to oblige with the Banshees of Inisherin trail.

Spooky: Keem Bay on the Inisherin Trail

Now our old pals at Tourism Ireland have access to everyone and anyone to help promote their island.

And here are some of the banshees they recommend you seek out when you visit.

The scary mother-in-law

Duckett, she’s back: Spectre in the air

The Banshee of Duckett’s Grove, Co. Carlow: And, of course, what would Halloween be without a mother-in-law?

Not strictly a mother-in-law here… more the vengeful ma of the plaything of the lord of the manor who died under a horse.

Ma has had the last word though returning to haunt William Duckett ever since.

Clare-raising tales

Castle bawls: Bunratty

The Bunratty Banshee, Co. Clare: Bunratty has seen it all in the 770 years that a castle has stood in these grounds.

Our favourite tale surrounds a guest of the O’Brien clan who awoke in the night to the sound of a woman wailing.

Out of her window, a pale, red-headed girl floating outside.

The next day, a member of the O’Brien family was found dead.

Not, of course, to put you off visiting the Castle and Folk Park… although maybe not look out of the window.

O’Neill in the coffin

Ruin of you: Shane’s Castle

The Banshees of Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim: Now those who know their history will know of the Flight of the Earls, well this is the Flight of the Ghouls.

In the early 1800s, Earl O’Neill’s Lough Neagh house party ended in tragedy when he requisitioned the room set aside for the banshee.

Only for her to set it on fire in anger with guests noticing her floating above the flames.

All of which spooky spectres will make you want to keep your wits about you when you visit.

Because the Banshees of Irish-own are always hovering.

America, Countries, Halloween

Ghoul time in Philly

It’ll be only a matter of time but when I do get sent down I hope I can spend my ghoul time in Philly, in Eastern State Pen.

No, you did read that right, everything is revving up for Halloween.

And how better to scare you witless than getting you to spend time in a State Penitentiary?

Philly chills

This one in Philadelphia was once the most famous and expensive jail in the world which held Al Capone.

And now houses tourists and day trippers rather than inmates and lifers.

All of which is rich pickings for Halloween specials.

Autumn ghouls

Shine a light: The prison

This year’s spooktacular brings visitors into the penitentiary’s cellblocks, exercise yards, workshops, outdoor courtyards, and hidden nooks.

Nearly every inch of the penitentiary complex is activated for the event.

With five haunted houses, live entertainment, and themed bars, as well as night-time tours and museum experiences.

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary returns on Friday, 23rd September.

And it will run on select nights until 12th November.

Night terrors

Headstart: Pumpkinheads

There will be three new attractions – two haunted houses and an immersive, themed bar. ‘

‘Nightmares’, will bring visitors face-to-face with the creatures that lurk in the shadowy corners of their most unsettling dreams.

‘Big Top Terror’ winds through the grounds of a twisted carnival with menacing characters at every turn.

Visitors can stop for a drink and light fare at the ‘Bizarre Bar’ where fire dancers, knife throwers, and other acts will entertain you.

And if you’re wanting the even scarier experience you can pick up a glow necklace at the entrance to any haunted house.

Let it glow

Scariest of them all: Rocky

Anyone wearing a glow necklace may be grabbed, sent into hidden passageways, and even temporarily separated from their group.

Now if you want to know more about the prison’s history actor Steve Buscemi, who has a face for scaring has an audio tour.

All part of the Night-time History and Museum Experiences.

A guided flashlight tour takes visitors into Eastern State Penitentiary’s historic Cellblock 3, the Hospital Block.

Ticket prices start and are on sale now at www.HalloweenNights.org

For more information on spooky fun in Philadelphia click here.

Because it’s ghoul time in Philly.