If your idea of fun seasonal travel is touring a spooky castle in October rather than hitting a sandy beach in July, here are three vacation ideas that will take your Halloween fun to spine-tingling new heights this year! Where Witches Wander When it comes to Halloween-themed adventures, no other place on the East Coast offers more macabre merriment than Salem, Massachusetts. Known for its infamous witch trials of the late 1690s, the city transforms its dark past into a destination that balances historical facts with tongue- in-cheek kitsch. The weeks leading up to Oct. 31 are filled with more magic shows, tours, special events, and Halloween-themed shopping opportunities than you can shake a broom at. If you decide to partake in the area’s devilish fun this year, visit the Salem Witch Board Museum — which boasts the world’s most extensive Ouija board collection — and the Salem Witch Museum. Bourbon Bone-Chillers If you want to add Southern charm to your Halloween chills, a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, is in order. From above-ground cemeteries and ghost tours to ghoulishly adorned shops in the French Quarter (including the must-visit Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo on Bourbon Street) and an annual Halloween parade, The Big Easy will surely put you in touch with your spooky side. Haunted Horizons A HALLOWEEN TRAVEL TRIO
Detour to Dracula’s Den From the classic 1922 film “Nosferatu” to the Francis Ford Coppola- directed cinematic masterpiece “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” that premiered 70 years later, our cultural interest in vampires has spanned decades — and, in the case of Transylvania, Romania, centuries. Anyone with a passport and a desire to catch a glimpse at the real-world aesthetic that helped define the image of Dracula and other distinctive undead characters should visit Bran Castle, an amazing monument of Gothic architecture and the long-rumored residence of infamous 15th century- era prince and mass murderer Vlad the Impaler — widely believed to be the real-life inspiration behind the Dracula character. While many of the legends associated with Transylvania may be more fiction than fact, the locale remains the go-to spot for anyone with an affinity for apparitions.
THE SECRET TO A COZIER HOME Add Comfort Without Spending Much
This time of year, we’re all looking for ways to make our homes cozier. Colder weather and fewer hours of sunlight have many of us inside more and craving indoor comforts. Coziness isn’t about square footage or designer furniture. It’s about creating a space that’s easy to live in and somewhere you want to be. And while Pinterest boards are full of staged rooms and expensive upgrades, you can make your home feel warmer without spending that much. Start by thinking in layers. No matter how nice the furniture is, a bare room will feel cold. But drape a blanket or two over the couch, toss a couple of textured pillows on the chair, and add a shaggy rug underfoot, and suddenly everything feels softer and more inviting. Texture is a shortcut to comfort, and bringing more of it into your space doesn’t cost much.
stringing fairy lights above a reading chair. When you’re trying to make things more cozy, it’s more about glow than brightness. Indirect lighting, candles, and a shaded lamp or two can change the entire mood of a room. Scent is another layer people often overlook. Remember, coziness is as much — if not more — about what you feel as it is about what you see. A familiar scent can settle the body and mind, whether a stovetop simmer pot, an oil diffuser, or a favorite candle. It also helps to make space for the things you enjoy. If you love to read, set out a book you’ve been meaning to finish and keep a blanket nearby. If you journal or sketch, leave your notebook where it’s easy to grab. And don’t forget the other little touches, like your favorite slippers or a comfy sweater. Ultimately, coziness goes beyond a style trend. It’s a way of being more comfortable at home and doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply start with what you have and build from there.
Lighting matters, too. Overhead lights often feel harsh, especially in the evening. Try switching to a floor lamp with a soft bulb or
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