According to Frankenstein castle’s Web site, in 2007 the German ghost hunters group "Ghostwatchers Paranormal West" was the first to pick up signs of two ghosts in the chapel of the castle ruins near Darmstadt, Germany. Maybe you’ll run into (or through) them at the castle’s annual Halloween party, which runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 9 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Then, you can tell them the castle’s more contemporary history, including how the famous Halloween event was started in the 1970s by Americans and Germans at the former U.S. Army base in Darmstadt who were forced to find another venue for their Halloween party — supposedly after the commander told them it was too rowdy. The party now has German sponsors, including HR3 radio, and covers the entire castle grounds, enough space to accommodate guests and 77 monsters in its four sections: the courtyard with stage shows, druids and vampires; the cemetery with zombies, werewolves and witches; the "Powder Tower," reminiscent of a medieval torture chamber; and the lower section, with food, drinks, music and no monsters.
Costumes are highly encouraged but not necessary. The parties run 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays and 7 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Tickets cost 18 euros and 20 euros respectively (Halloween night costs 20 euros). Participants must be age 14 or older for the evening events.
Sunday afternoons are family days, with less frightening activities for children 7 and older. Tickets cost 9 euros.
You can buy tickets online or at local ticket agencies. The price includes shuttle bus service from two sites as the road leading to the castle is too narrow for a lot of traffic. Find more details at www.frankenstein-halloween.de.
British Halloween
Britain is considered one of the most haunted countries in the world. And with Halloween coming, it’s a good time to explore some of the country’s supernatural legacy. Here are two suggestions:
• If you’re in London, you might want to take a walking tour with Richard Jones, who has been in the business for 25 years. One of his specialties is Jack the Ripper tours, which are led by experienced guides (there’s also a "do-it-yourself" itinerary for those who can’t make a walk). But it’s the ghost tours that he likes best and likes to conduct himself. The walks explore London City, the West End, Windsor, Chiswick, Tower of London and Pluckley, Kent, considered to be the most haunted village in England (he recommends its nearby "Screaming Wood" as the perfect spot for Halloween).
The tours run through November. The cost is 7 pounds (about $12) per person and reservations are advised. Find more details at www.walksoflondon.co.uk.
• English Heritage, which conserves England’s historical sites, notes that strange sounds and smells and "cold spots" have been reported at many of its castles and abbeys, making Halloween a good time to explore these sites. Tours run Oct. 24 to Nov. 3.
Many are family friendly, but some are recommended only for adults and older children. For example, "Victorian Ghost Stories" at Scarborough Castle is not recommended for young children, which means participants can expect some spooky tales. Sessions run Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and cost 5.50 pounds for adults, 3.50 pounds for children.
The country’s most haunted castle, Dover Castle, hosts a family-friendlyHalloween tour Oct. 25 to 31. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. The cost is 10.30 pounds for adults and 5.20 pounds for children, with family tickets available.
For other English Heritage castleHalloween events, see www.english-heritage.org.uk and type "Halloween" in the search block.
Best BetsBELGIUM: The Borrelmanneke statue in Hasselt is "buying" the drinks on Saturday. That is, if the drink you want is a glass of genever, the juniper-flavored alcohol from which gin originated. The fountain is one of the symbols of genever production in the city, and the drink — also known as jenever — is the centerpiece of the annual Genever Festival. So at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the fountain’s water will be replaced with genever to get the party going. Other highlights include free visits to the Genever Museum; an expanded Saturday-morning flea market with a trade fair offering beer mats, bottles, glasses and juniper curiosities; free English-language walking tours of the town with details about the history of genever; daily entertainment; and a Sunday waiter’s race at 3 p.m. (the winner will receive his weight in genever). Find the full program at www.jeneverfeesten.be
GERMANY: "Turkey in All Its Colors" is the theme of this year’s Frankfurt International Book Fair. This weekend, book lovers will be able to preview the newest volumes, including those from English-speaking countries, as they browse through the titles of international publishing stands as well as look at the newest in arts and technology. The program also offers readings, cultural events and a crafts market. A variety of activities focusing on Turkish culture — including concerts, exhibitions, films and literary readings, has been taking place off the fair grounds. The fair is open to the public 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. One-day tickets cost 12 euros for adults, 6 euros for schoolchildren. Details at www.frankfurt-book-fair.com
ITALY: "Play Chocolate" is the theme of this year’s Eurochocolate show, celebrating its 15th year. It runs Saturday through Oct. 26 in Perugia.
