Explore chilling castles, haunted houses and spooky hilltops from the comfort of a Europcar vehicle this Halloween
London, October 2013 – With Halloween just around the corner, Europcar the leader in car hire services in Europe, is offering families planning to make the most of the fright fest five of Europe’s best spots for spectres, spirits and spooks.
“Halloween offers families the perfect excuse to get on the road and indulge in some spooky activities”, said Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group. “And by booking with Europcar, customers can ensure they get the right vehicle at the right price, for a holiday that’s frightful for all the right reasons.”
Get Spooked in Scotland
From haunted castles and horrible histories to Celtic legends across ancient moors and mountains, Scotland’s got a lot to offer the Halloween holidaymaker. Start in Edinburgh by reserving one of the cars from the Europcar mini collection such as the Fiat 500 stylish city run-around. Edinburgh Castle is said to be one of the most haunted in Europe, with many previously sceptical tourists reporting ghostly apparitions, as well as bloodcurdling screams and sudden drops in temperature. Out of the city, nearby Roslyn Chapel is more famous for its appearance in Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, but it is also home to its very own ghosts. Only the brave need apply for Halloween in the Highlands.
Terror in Transylvania
Transylvania is the legendary home of Dracula, the world’s most famous vampire. Even for travellers who aren’t keen to meet their very own blood-sucking count, this historical region in Romania offers stunning scenery and gothic castles galore.
Hop in one of the vehicles from the Europcar compact range to take on the winding mountain roads with room for all the family. Then it’s time to head to Bran Castle, once a home of Vlad the Impaler, the historical ruler said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Would-be vampire hunters can also head to Lake Snagov, Vlad’s rumoured resting place, but don’t forget the garlic!
Myths and monsters in Ireland
Ireland is steeped in history and ancient castles, all set in a stunning landscape, making it the ideal half-term getaway. Europcar’s intermediate range, such as the Skoda Octavia, offer the space and comfort for family excursions, as well as the reliability of a vehicle that won’t leave travellers stranded on the side of a haunted stretch of road. For a fearless family, a visit to Leap Castle offers tales of bloody massacres and dirty dealings. Book in advance if you want to see inside the castle and look out for a renowned apparition of a small hunched creature…they say you’ll smell him before you see him!
Ghost Hunting in Hertfordshire
England has its fair share of ghouls and apparitions for budding ghost busters. Head off to Minsden Chapel in Hertfordshire to try to spot a ghostly monk climbing a phantom staircase.
Dread spirits in Devon and Dorset
In Dorset, an axe-wielding, prehistoric ghost has been seen riding a horse bareback.
For a spectrum of ghostly goings-on, head down to Dartmouth in Devon, where old and new ghosts rub shoulders in the pretty maritime town. Dartmouth is reputed to one of Britain’s most haunted towns. Hundreds of hauntings and other paranormal phenomena have been reported over the years including stories about the castle and the market town. And once you’re all spooked out, there is plenty more exploring to be done in the surrounding South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Or maybe a cream tea to settle the nerves.
Whether it’s hiring a larger vehicle to ensure the whole family travels in comfort or saving wear and tear on the household car on longer journeys, Europcar offers the widest choice of vehicles. As the leader in car hire services in Europe, it has a presence in 230 airport locations as well as operating the world’s largest vehicle rental network, with 10,000 locations in more than 130 countries worldwide.