Rebecca’s first visit to Italy was a coup de foudre and her affection for Il Bel Paese has only grown over almost 30 years of living here, during which time she has mastered the art of navigating the sampietrini cobblestones in heels but has yet to come away from a plate of bucatini all’amatriciana with an unsullied blouse. She covers Italy travel, culture, and cuisine for a number of print and online publications.
Rebecca’s first visit to Italy was a coup de foudre and her affection for Il Bel Paese has only grown over almost 30 years of living here, during which time she has mastered the art of navigating the sampietrini cobblestones in heels but has yet to come away from a plate of bucatini all’amatriciana with an unsullied blouse. She covers Italy travel, culture, and cuisine for a number of print and online publications.
Hi, I'm Rebecca!Rebecca’s first visit to Italy was a coup de foudre and her affection for Il Bel Paese has only grown over almost 30 years of living here, during which time she has mastered the art of navigating the sampietrini cobblestones in heels but has yet to come away from a plate of bucatini all’amatriciana with an unsullied blouse. She covers Italy travel, culture, and cuisine for a number of print and online publications.
Hi, I'm Rebecca!Rebecca’s first visit to Italy was a coup de foudre and her affection for Il Bel Paese has only grown over almost 30 years of living here, during which time she has mastered the art of navigating the sampietrini cobblestones in heels but has yet to come away from a plate of bucatini all’amatriciana with an unsullied blouse. She covers Italy travel, culture, and cuisine for a number of print and online publications.
Halloween may be the spookiest time of year, but the holiday’s hocus pocus is often too spine-tingling for little ghosts and goblins. Not all Halloween adventures are heavy on horror, however, and there are endless options for family-friendly tours and activities that celebrate the season with more fun than fright. Here are some kid-focused ghost tours, catacomb visits, costume parties, and other fa-boo-lous adventures.
The French Quarter of New Orleans has a mystery-laden past, thick with haunted corners and tales of paranormal activity. Learn about the city’s dark history that has left it crawling with spirits on this family-friendly ghost tour that dials the spook down a notch to keep it entertaining for kids without leaving them worried about things that go bump in the night.
Join a resident wizard for a whimsical walk through the English city of York, said to be the inspiration for a number of locations in the Harry Potter books and movies. See the real-life Diagon Alley, search for a mythical phoenix, and learn about the city’s history and landmarks with silly tales and fun magic tricks ideal for kids under 10 and any fan of the wizarding world.
Older kids can dive into the dark side of Savannah on this age-appropriate ghost tour of the city’s cemeteries, squares, and haunted corners. Learn about Savannah’s ghost stories and legends as you follow your guide through the most atmospheric—and spookiest—parts of town. The stories are just ghoulish enough to keep teens engaged but stop short of the gory details, and are a fascinating way to soak in a bit of local history and lore.
Venice’s mask-making tradition was born from Carnival, but crafting a unique personalized mask is a perfect hands-on activity for creative kids during the Halloween season. At this mask workshop, learn how to make a traditional papier-mâché mask from scratch, or paint and decorate a prepared mask to showcase your unique style, from ghoulish Halloween looks to lavish Carnival-ready disguises.
One of the US' oldest states, Tennessee is the perfect place to get spooky with it ... and bring the little ones along for the ride. On this family-friendly Chattanooga ghost tour, ideal for small children as well as older participants, learn about Civil War history and otherwordly happenings that will provide just enough spook for all the family.
Chocoholics of all ages can roll up their sleeves and get to work creating ghoulish treats on this spooktacular chocolate-making class in Bugibba, Malta. Stop at the Malta Chocolate Factory to learn about the chocolate-making process and techniques as you work with three types of chocolate to form devilishly delicious bars to package and take home as a spooky souvenir.
Young witches and wizards can visit London’s most famous locations featured in the Harry Potter films, starting from Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross train station and ending at the oldest prison in the UK (and inspiration for the notorious wizard jail of Azkaban), on this Harry Potter Azkaban Tour. Discover fascinating facts and magical venues and enjoy a sweet along the way for an extra Halloween treat.
Ideal for parents and guardians of teens, this Gettysburg history and haunts experience has all the intrigue you could possibly want from a spooky excursion. Learn about the dark history of the destination, quite appropriately, after dark, and enjoy your guide's slightly spooky stories that'll offer just enough terror for older kids to handle.
Skip the haunted house and focus on the sweet side of Halloween thanks to this candy store tour that takes you through the history and production of candy from ancient times to today with live and video presentations. Feast on candy samples and enjoy time to shop for your favorite sugary treats and dozens of flavors of gourmet popcorn.
Get all the atmosphere of a Danish adventure without stepping foot outside the US, on this family-friendly, ghost-hunting exploration of Solvang, Santa Barbara. Hands-on spirit-searching tools and techniques will keep even the most easily distracted kid focused on the task at hand, while tales of the city's spectral residents provide plenty of boo for your buck.
