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Halloween park funThrough Oct. 31, Halloween is celebrated daily at Holiday Park amusement park in Hassloch, Germany, near Speyer.

During “Shocktober — The Spooky Spectacle Weeks,” several rides and events are geared toward the spirit of the season. Among them are a witch’s ride, a walk through the dark halls of Castle Falkenstein and daily “horror” parades.

On Halloween, the park will hold a party from 10 a.m. to midnight.

The park is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The admission price, which includes all rides, is 24.50 euros (about $35) for those taller than 4-foot-8-inches, 21 euros for children shorter than 4-foot-8; and free for those shorter than 3½ feet. Customers dressed in a costume receive a discount of 2 euros.

Details at http://holidaypark.de/en/park-attractions/shocktober. It includes an English version.

Europa Park in Rust, Germany, is also joining in the fun. From Oct. 27 to Nov. 4, it will hold a Halloween Festival with castle ghosts, witches, trolls and magicians. Every evening a parade is held against the backdrop of 120,000 pumpkins, and a laser show ends the night. On Oct. 31, a party will be held with rides open late.

The park is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets cost 30 euros for adults, 26.50 euros for children 4 to 11 and free for children up to 4 years. Details at www.europapark.de.

Retiree packageThe nice thing about being retired is that you have time to enjoy yourself. Between March 6 and 16, the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch is offering a special Retiree Vacation package for those who want to experience Bavaria at their leisure.

The 10-night package includes transportation to and from Munich International Airport, welcome reception and packet, 10 nights accommodation at the lodge, all breakfasts, special European Escapes Guided Tours and a farewell dinner and gift.

The tours include sightseeing in Munich, Innsbruck, Oberammergau and Salzburg as well as visits to Linderhof and Neuschwanstein Castle and a ride through the Bavarian countryside.

The cost is $2,400 for two adults, $1,900 for one. But you’ll have to act quickly: There are only a few slots left.

Call (+49) (0) 8821-9440 or visit the resort’s Web site, www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com.

Send announcements of tours or other special travel deals to travel@estripes.osd.mil.

Best BetsENGLAND: The skies over Duxford will be filled with Spitfires, P-51 Mustangs, B-17 Flying Fortresses, Hellcats and other vintage aircraft Sunday during the Autumn Airshow, the last aviation display of the season. A highlight will be the Sukhoi Pair (Matadors) doing high-flying aerobatics. On the ground, trade stalls will offer merchandise, and the aviation museum will be open for visitors. Gates open at 8 a.m. with the air shows starting at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are 24 pounds for adults (about $49), 9 pounds for children 5 to 15. Discounted advance tickets are available by calling (+44) (0) 1223- 400353. The Duxford Web site is http://duxford.iwm.org.uk

GERMANY: The baroque city of Ludwigsburg is the site of Sunday’s European championships for the heaviest pumpkin. The city’s pumpkin festival, an event that attracts more than 500,000 pumpkins from around the world, began last month. In the castle grounds next to the fairy-tale garden, a special exhibit, “The Art of Noah,” has been set up with pairs of animals (made of pumpkins) in a wooden boat ready to ride out the flood. Admission to the grounds and exhibit is 7 euros (about $10). The city’s Web site is www.ludwigsburg.de.

If Europe’s heaviest pumpkin is too much to handle, how about the Weimar Onion Market? Originating as an annual fair in the Middle Ages, the market runs Friday through Sunday and offers food and drink stands; music, street theater and jousting; rides; and onions in a variety of forms, the specials being onion cake with ham and onion soup. Stands are open noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Entertainment runs from noon to 2 a.m. Friday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Details at www.zwiebelmarkt.info (in German).

Needleworkers will want to head to Michelstadt this weekend for the annual stitching and crafts fair. In five historic buildings, 70 exhibitors will demonstrate needlework techniques such as patchwork, crocheting, quilting, beading and making traditional costumes. Vendors will sell accessories. The market begins Saturday at noon and Sunday at 10 a.m, finishing at 6 p.m. both days. Admission costs 4 euros; see www.odenwaldmaerkte.de.

ITALY: The annual Palio del Papero — Ducks Festival — will be Sunday in the medieval town of Balconevisi near San Miniato in the Pisa province. Four boroughs race their quacking contestants, cheering them on to the end. Before the race, a historical parade marches through town and food stalls are set up to feed visitors with Italian specialties.

— Jayne Traendly

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