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We’ve collected spooky tales and scary spots for the brave daring to explore on a Ker & Downey journey. These are our picks for the most haunted places around the world.
Ballyvolane House, Cork, Ireland
This beautiful property has a darker side. It is believed that a butler and a maid murdered the owners of the home in 1730 in an attempt to steal their valuables. The pair escaped after their ghastly deed, but were caught at the port of Limerick, found guilty, and executed not far from the scene of the crime. The spot where the maid was burned at the stake is now known as the Hag’s Cross. When the property was being renovated, bloodstained floorboards were discovered hinting at its grisly past.
The Driskill, Austin, TX
Civil War Colonel Jesse Driskill, a compulsive gambler, opened this property in 1886. Driskill lost his hotel in a poker game and died the following year. Guests claim to smell his cigar smoke and sometimes see him in the rooms, playing mischievous tricks like moving furniture around or hiding guests’ belongings.
Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay, Myanmar
Formerly part of a Royal Palace, this monastery is believed to be haunted by the ghost of former King Mindon. Explore its teak wood carvings in search of this royal visitor.
The Ghost City, Fengdu, China
If you dare, head to Ghost City in the Ming Mountain near the Yangtze River. Stories of the afterlife have been told here for two thousand years. A temple depicts life in hell, including a look at some of the tests that the dead must go through to enter the netherworld. Elsewhere on the Yangtze, find fascinating hanging coffins on cliffsides, evidence of ancient burial rituals.
Dracula Castle, Romania
Misty mountains and thick forests roaming with howling wolves surround dark castles. This is the picture many have in their minds when they think of Transylvania. Author Bram Stoker based his Count Dracula, a fictional character, on the real-life ruler Vlad Tepes, who was known for some of his cruel punishments. The Bran Castle in Romania is the closest castle to the description that Stoker portrayed in his novel.
Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland
When strolling through this 16th-century cemetary, author JK Rowling found a tombstone inscribed “Not all of me will die.” This mysterious message on Tom Riddle’s tomb served as the inspiration for Horcruxes in the Harry Potter novels. A poltergeist is also believed to roam through the cemetery amidst graves dating as far back as the 1560s. Nearby is an old prison that only a few dare to enter, sometimes emerging with scratches and burns.
Chateau de Brissac, France
Spot the lady in green at this 11th century castle. The story goes that an unfaithful wife, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles VII, was murdered by her husband in the 15th century. Her ghost haunts the chapel, and those who have seen her say there are gaping holes where her eyes and nose should be.
Tasmania, Australia
Many of the most haunted places around the world can be found in Australia. Grab a flickering lantern and wander through Port Arthur, a former penitentiary in Tasmania, which was once one of the most notorious penal colonies. Convicts lived in harsh conditions in the 18th and 19th centuries, and visitors often speak of unexplained activity attributed to the ghosts of those who suffered here. Further north, nightly ghost tours at the Coal Mines Historic Site tell the tales of the 500 convicts who labored underground in the eerie darkness.
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel, Egypt
A stay at this Victorian property dating back to 1899 inspired the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to write Death on the Nile. The opulent interior will have your imagination taking you deep into the pages of this mystery novel set on a journey through Egypt.
Let Ker & Downey help you customize your own spooky trip through the most haunted places around the world. Contact your Luxury Travel Expert to start planning your journey.
