Travel always requires a bit of bravery, encountering new cultures and exploring unknown locales, but some destinations demand a higher level of fortitude. These vacation destinations are defined by their other-worldliness. Reports state that some of these locales are haunted, some spotlight natural frights, and others are downright gruesome. Visit these terrifying travel destinations, if you dare!
Kansanka Bat Forest, Zambia
Visit Zambia’s Kasanka Bat Forest in late October when millions of fruit bats make their nightly journey out to feed. Brave visitors can watch the evening exodus and morning return from campsites located in the Kasanka National Park.
Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Said to be haunted by restless spirits, the Aokigahara Forest in Japan is located in the shadow of Mount Fuji. Locally known as the suicide forest,” many souls have entered and never returned. Even well-meaning visitors may notice their compasses rendered useless by the heavy magnetic iron deposits within the forest.
Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
The beautiful Truk Lagoon in Micronesia is the final resting place of thousands of sailors. More than 50 wrecked ships can be found in the shark-infested waters, many of which have never been touched. Divers have reported strange sounds coming from the wrecks, like those of phantom engines.
The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
Any horror film buff knows The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The hotel’s infamous Room 217 was the 1974 inspiration for Stephen King’s novel, The Shining, and the subsequent movie starring Jack Nicholas. Today, visitors can follow a tour of the hotel by iconic tour guide “Scary Mary.”
Manchac Swamp, Louisiana
Manchac Swamp in Louisiana is said to be the home of the ghost of Julie White, a voodoo princess who accurately predicted several catastrophes and her own death. Rumor has it thatthe swamp is also home to a Cajun werewolf called a Rougarou.
Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
Th Czech Repulic is home to the Sedlec Ossuary, a gothic chapel decorated with over 40,000 human skeletons. The immense bone chandelier is the centerpiece of the church, and it contains a least one of every type of human bone.
Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo
The catacombs of the Capuchin monks in Palermo hold frights for even the bravest visitor. The catacombs contain more than 8000 human remains, all in varying stages of decomposition.
The Winchester House, California
A less destination, The Winchester House in San Jose is still a chilling and mysterious place. Sarah Winchester, bereaved wife and mother and heir to the Winchester gun fortune, believed herself cursed because of the violent way her family made its fortune. A spiritualist warned her that if she ever stopped building upon her family mansion, she would die. The maze-like Winchester House is the result of thirty-six years of constant, paranoid construction.
Are you brave enough to travel to these truly terrifying travel destinations?
