halloween, día de muertos, and ลอยกระทง

There’s a lot going on this weekend, in the world of festivals and celebrations. Of course, the pandemic means that a lot of people will be switching up their traditional celebrations, but if you’re looking to travel in 2021 for Halloween, Day of the Dead, or Loi Krathang, we’ve got some suggestions for itineraries!

Halloween Party at Dracula’s Castle.

Bran Castle, located in Transylvania, is allegedly one of the world’s most haunted castles in the world. Each year, ghost-hunters from all over the world visit thisMedieval stone fortress in search of paranormal activity. But if you’re not a professional ghost hunter, you probably still know the castle as the inspiration for Dracula’s Castle, because of the association with Vlad “the Impaler” Tepes. Bram Stoker, who wrote Dracula, likely based his fictional castle on a description of Bran Castle that was available to him at the time.

So, how about going to the world’s scariest Halloween party at Bran Castle? Because we can make that happen for you! We’ve found a 7 day itinerary in Romania, that visits the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the ruins of Dracula’s Poenari Castle, and culminates in the epic Halloween Party at Bram Castle. Don’t forget your costume!

Día de Muertos in Oaxaca.

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, but there’s no better place to experience the multi-day holiday than in Oaxaca. Each year on November 1 and 2, the festivities in Mexico involve family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, with vigils, cemetery visits, parades and altars covered with candles, marigolds and sugar skulls.

We can send you there for the festivities as well, to experience the festivities yourself, but also to explore the local ruins, experience the local food, and immerse yourself in local culture. Want to sample the regions many moles, learn how chocolate is milled or take a class in making tortillas? How about visiting the artisans who make pottery, weavings and mezcal? There’s so much to see and do, that you’ll never forget the year that you experienced an authentic Day of the Dead celebration.

Loi Krathang.

In 2020, it just so happens that Thailand’si Festival of Lights occurs earlier than usual, on October 31 and November 1 — the same dates as Halloween and Day of the Dead! In 2021, it will be a little bit later — the third week of November — but that just means that you’ve got more time to plan your visit!

Editorial credit: 06photo / Shutterstock.com

Loi Krathong is one of the country’s most important holidays, along with Songkran (the Thai New Year). On the evening of Loi Krathong, people all across Thailand gather around lakes, rivers, and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water by releasing small, floating, candlelit vessels called "Krathong" onto the water. The symbolism is that the Krathong carries away your misfortunes, and gives you a fresh start. If the candle on your Krathong manages to stay lit until you can no longer see it, this signifies that you will have good luck in the next year. The celebration is observed all over Thailand, anywhere you’ll find water—on the beach, in a canal, along a river. In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is at the center of the Loy Krathong celebrations with cultural performances, boat processions, Krathong-making workshops, firework displays, and much more!

So, if you’re looking to attend a fall festival next year—whether it’s a party in a haunted castle, a parade through the streets of a Oaxacan town, or a solemn festival of light and water, we’re happy to help you make those plans. Reach out to us to get started!