Gift Giving Ideas – GiftBook by GiftBasketsOverseas.com

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2016

5 Unusual Airbnb Spots for New Year’s Eve

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. You know exactly where you want to celebrate New Year, but you just can’t decide on a hotel. The place needs to be fun and fit your personality down to the letter, because as they say, ‘the way you meet the New Year is how you’re going to spend it!’ We want your upcoming year be full of adventures, breathtaking experiences, and unforgettable emotions.  Going with a traditional hotel room just can’t guarantee you any of that, no matter how fancy it is.  That’s where Airbnb comes to the rescue. This website is a priceless resource of the most unique lodging rentals around the world, and it will tempt you with the vacation of your dreams. Still skeptical? See for yourself, but don’t hesitate too long because these incredible locations around the world are already filling up.

 

Bamboo House (Bali, Indonesia)

If you’ve ever dreamt about an exotic place where you can enjoy fantastic panoramas of the jungle, you’ll be amazed to find out that such a place actually exists. This luxurious bamboo house set on the sacred Ayung river in Bali, Indonesia is nothing but unique. Dreamers and celebrities alike are mesmerized by its fabulous settings and incredible views, keeping the Sunrise House busy since 2010. Though it is located in the middle of the jungle, the villa has a lot to offer. The Bamboo House comes fully equipped with luxury amenities including a plunge pool and private garden. This incredible four-story, all bamboo construction comprises 3 bedrooms, a lounge area, a kitchen, a media room, and a work space all furnished with exquisite bamboo furniture. With so much to offer, it is an easy pick for a family or group of friends who want to escape for the holidays together.

If you’re interested, here is what you need to know:

The Bamboo House is priced at $335 per night and comfortably accommodates 6 guests. This seems like a more than reasonable price to pay for a once in a lifetime dream location you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world. Let the Tarzan in you enjoy the amazing sceneries of the dense jungle waiting to be explored!

 

The Seashell House – Casa Caracol (Isla Mujeres, Mexico)

If you want to spend New Year’s Eve like a mermaid or Neptune, this eccentric Seashell House is a perfect fit for you! Located on the most beautiful Caribbean island, Isla Mujeres, it looks (and feels!) like something out of surrealist paintings or the pages of Zeus’s children’s books. Built in 1994 by a famous architect Eduardo Ocampo for his brother, the unique building was inspired by a seashell. Every little detail inside and outside of the house is themed around shells which makes you feel like you’re one with the ocean. Which is a great transition since the ocean is the view just outside of the window.

Casa Caracol accommodates 4 people and has all the amenities for a comfortable and enjoyable stay with family or friends, and costs $308 per night. It is easy to get to and from Cancun International Airport, making this Caribbean gem the place to escape to for those who believe that crowded pools and touristic attractions aren’t part of a perfect New Year’s getaway.

 

Cabana Floripa (Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil)

You may be looking for something that puts you totally out of your element. A real adventure! Perhaps something that is part Oz adventure, an all eco-friendly, artsy tree house.  Cabana Floripa captures all of that and much more. Made of colorful recycled glass artwork, this one-of-a-kind cabin is an incredible place to explore for both kids and adults.  If you desire a vacation filled with emotions over luxury, Cabana Floripa is a truly unique and special experience for romantic getaways or family vacations alike.

The price may just be the best part at only $73 per night! As an extra bonus, you’ll have beautiful white sand beaches at your disposal only a walking distance away.

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King of the Castle (Galway, Ireland)

Who doesn’t want to start a new year like a king? Well, you can make that dream come true and start your year off like royalty in an actual castle!  This restored medieval building is full of character and looks exactly the same as it did 600 years ago when it was first built. Though now it has a few modern conveniences to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Just imagine yourself sitting before a huge fireplace wrapped in a blanket, looking at crackling wood and raising a toast to a new year. Don’t forget to top the experience off with delicious festive meal and a little pinch of snuff, just like the nobles who stayed before you. Yes, in a castle!

Your loved ones or friends can join you on this adventure since the castle accommodates 5 guests and costs only $161 a night. For a castle that price is an absolute steal!

  

Elqui Domos Astronomic Hotel (Paiguano, Coquimbo, Chile)

For couples looking to spark love on the New Year, what could be better than gazing at a breathtaking view of stars in the comfort of your own bed?! The only astronomic hotel in the Southern Hemisphere, Elqui Domos is a unique place that offers just such an evening. Located deep in the wilderness of Elqui Valley in Chile, these rooms were designed to be an absolute dream for stargazing. The resort offers two-story geodesic domes; each with a living room and a bathroom on the first floor, and a comfortable bed with a detachable roof over it on the second floor.

If you’re looking to get out and adventure you will find exciting tours, nighttime horse rides, and plenty of gorgeous vineyards in the area to help you make the most out of your getaway. At $196 per night we know these rooms will be all booked in no time.

Now, You’re Almost Ready for New Year’s – What’s Next? 

  • Schedule your gift now, so you don’t forget. Browse New Year gifts to USA, UK & 200 countries, and make sure your gift is delivered on time!
  • Start the upcoming year with these Tips to Jump Start Your New Year. Or learn your horoscope with the Chinese Zodiac.
  • You’ve read this far, we’re sure you have a friend who’d like to see this too. Click those share buttons below.

All images courtesy of airbnb.com

Favorite Winter Holidays Recipes From Around the World

When it comes to Christmas dinner in US, it can feel like there’s not much variation. We know the traditional dishes, roast chicken or turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes are usually followed by a slice of pie (or two) and maybe another dessert, to be polite of course! While this food is delicious, it can be easy to find yourself in a holiday rut. Tradition is great! But let’s spice things up a bit.

Around the world, people tuck into all sorts of wonderful and delicious festive fare. Given the upcoming celebration, we’d like to share our 3 favorite holiday recipes from different parts of the world and give you an idea how you can add an exotic flare to your Christmas dinner.

International Gift Delivery Company Innovates Holiday Shopping Tools

GiftBasketsOverseas.com eases international delivery pains with a combination of dedication and brand new software

ARLINGTON, Mass.Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — GiftBasketsOverseas.com (GBO), the experts in international gift delivery, has spent the past year rolling out update after update, all designed to make the process of sending gifts anywhere in the world easier. The most notable and useful updates include the company’s newest native language website launches for customers who prefer to order in Spanish, Portuguese, and even Russian. Additionally, GBO added Alipay to its array of payment methods, making it easier for even more international customers to be secure while paying for gifts. Now, during the company’s busiest time of the year, the company has unveiled its new Personal Gift Wizard and Corporate Gift Wizard. When asked what they do, Marketing Director NinaCarmen Monroe playfully responded, “Magic!”

She went on to elaborate that the Personal and Corporate Gift Wizards perform essentially the same functions, just a little differently to cater to people who tend to buy one gift versus companies that tend to coordinate dozens – or even hundreds – of gifts at once. The new tools allow customers to easily shop for only the gifts that are relevant to them. Customers can type in their countries of delivery, their budget, and other details, and the Wizard will provide gifts that meet their specifications. In just a few minutes, after filling in a few very simple drop down fields, customers will now be greeted with a screen filled with gifts that are exactly what they are looking for. This allows each shopper to customize their experience and make the checkout process even faster.

CEO Dmitriy Peregudov stated, “During the holidays, when time should be spent with your loved ones, I want to make sure that our company does everything it can to make shopping effortless. The most precious gift of all is time and we want you to enjoy yours!”

Of course, the team at GiftBasketsOverseas.com understands that there’s something to be said about getting to browse through all a country catalog has to offer on your own. So, those have gotten an update too. The servers have been beefed up and the GBO catalogs are getting new gifts added to them constantly, bringing its customers the biggest selection of high quality gifts around the world.

“We’ll never be done growing,” Mr. Peregudov elaborated. “There will always be an update to something that could make us better. And that’s what I want – to always bring our customers the best.”

But GiftBasketsOverseas.com refuses to let its technology surpass its human connection. While other companies are focusing hard on automated answering services and robotic chat programs, GBO has instead improved its customer service team and invested in employee training to make them as effective as possible when it comes to helping customers over the phone, through e-mail, on chat, in social media, through WhatsApp, and more 24/7. This is especially crucial now when customers have so many questions about how to make sure their holiday gifts arrive on time. GBO is looking forward to an especially busy winter season and hopes it can use customer feedback to create an even more impressive 2017.

About www.GiftBasketsOverseas.com

GiftBasketsOverseas.com is an A-ranked, BBB-accredited company based in the United States that specializes in delivering superior quality gifts to over 200 countries.  GBO strives to provide online ordering convenience, excellent multilingual customer service 24 X 7, and secure payment options. Learn more at www.GiftBasketsOverseas.com, like GBO on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

Unusual Yet Romantic Gifts

We work with a lot of different kinds of people here at GiftBasketsOverseas.com (GBO). But by and large, our favorites have to be romantics and geeks.

We know when we’re dealing with a ‘geek’ right away. They always know what they want, have specific instructions, and are easy to do business with. Their orders mostly consist of new technology or practical household items like a brand new model of a phone, a camera, iPad, Xbox, large TV with LCD screen, or even a washing machine.

Romantics are just as easy to spot, and the gifts are just as varied! Their gifts, from chocolates to flowers, to jewelry, all have sentimental value, even if it’s not easy for our team to spot right away.

Even though both geek and romantic orders are pretty straightforward, every once in a while we get quite unusual requests. Here are some of our most memorable examples:

Once we had a call from a customer who wanted to order a valet stand for trousers. A ‘geek’ or ‘romantic,’ it’s hard to say, but here’s her story. She was celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband and decided to give him a gift with a double meaning. As an office worker, her spouse has to wear suits to work every day. After so many years together she must have been a little tired of steaming those trousers for him, so she decided to give him a valet stand. With this new gift, he would not only remember where he left his trousers last night but also look neat every morning on his own. Was this smart woman giving a gift to her husband or herself? It’s tough to say.

Last summer we received a request to send a gift not in a regular wrapping paper, but in chintz. The customer explained that her son was celebrating his first wedding anniversary and in their culture the first anniversary is called the Chintz wedding. Given the name it was easy to understand why it’s considered good luck if the anniversary gift is wrapped in this specific fabric. We were more than happy to follow the tradition and helped the client get what she wanted.

Other ‘romantics’ have quite a sense of humor. Several months ago we had a special request to deliver a… hair tie. Yes, as simple as that. The customer admitted that he promised his girlfriend a hair tie because she was constantly losing them and asking him for help finding it. He was hoping that if he gave her a hair tie as a gift delivered to her office at work along with a bouquet of red roses she’d be more careful and wouldn’t lose it that quickly. Well, we hope he was right.

Chocolates, flowers, and more traditional gifts are all great! But there’s something to be said for a gift that is a little odd and deeply personal. It just reminds us that no matter how big or small a gift is, it’s the story and thought behind it that determines how truly unforgettable it is.

Now, You’re All Ready For Romance – What’s Next?

  • Start preparing for upcoming romantic occasions. Browse romantic gifts to USA, UK & 200 countries, and make sure your gifts are delivered on time!
  • Get ready for Valentine’s Day with these Creative Valentine’s Date Ideas.
  • You’ve read this far, we’re sure you have a friend who’d like to see this too. Click those share buttons below.

Image #2 by Sean McGrath

Why Giving Really Is Better Than Receiving!

We’ve all heard people say that it’s better to give than to receive, but would you believe that being generous is tangibly good for you? That’s right, according to Dr. Devin A. Byrd, Behavioral Sciences Department Chair at South University, there are mental health benefits to altruistic behaviors, and gift-giving is definitely among those.

From searching for just the right gift to fit your loved one’s personality to wrapping it and sending it, the very act of shopping for someone else provides “an emotional lift,” according to Dr. Byrd But even more than the ‘feel-good’ quality of giving, your generosity sparks positive memories of the person you’re shopping for which also provides a mood boost. Another bonus is that the gift itself creates a noticeable link between the two of you. Especially in this modern age, when many people will celebrate holidays at a distance from one another, the act of sending gifts when you can’t be there is a way to strengthen bonds. And of course, there’s nothing more important to mental health than your social support network. Gift-giving is a way to help keep it strong even when they’re far away.

You may be saying, “Okay, that’s great – yes, it feels good to send a gift, but it isn’t like it has any physical health benefit, right?” Wrong! There is a ton of research showing that those who are generous on a regular basis (i.e., they help out a charity, they perform random acts of kindness, they surprise people with gifts, etc.) are healthier and live longer. Stephen Post, professor of Preventative Medicine at Stony Brook University, found that regular generosity had a positive impact even on people suffering from chronic illnesses.

You might ask, “How does that work?” It turns out that things like shopping for another person, spending time helping them, and even talking to them during a time of a need, turns your focus from your own day-to-day life, and onto the other person. Researchers think that this reduces internal stress. Stress and the cortisol it produces are major factors in the development of almost every chronic disease you can think of. Reducing stress is directly linked to better health.

But perhaps the best way that giving is good for you is that it generates a sense of gratitude. “Of course it does,” you might say, “when you send a gift or spend your time, the person you give it to is thankful.” And yes, that’s true, but gift-giving also invokes a sense of gratitude in the giver! When choosing a gift, or thoughtfully supporting someone we care for, we’re often also expressing that we’re grateful for that person’s role in our lives. This creates a cycle of contentment, stress-reduction, and even creates a hormone called oxytocin, which is responsible for making us feel connected, warm, and empathetic.

I know the holiday shopping can sometimes seem like a chore, with crowds, planning, and the time crunch, but we hope this little PSA will help you keep in mind that’s not all it’s about. For every gift you decide to send, you’re recalling fond memories, reaching out to the ones you care about even from afar, and you’re preparing yourself a big dose of happiness. So when holiday shopping looks like a mountain of work remember how very true it is that it is better to give than to receive – and science proves it!

Now, You’re Almost Ready to Give – What’s Next? 

  • Schedule your gift now, so you don’t forget. Browse Thanksgiving Day gifts to USA, Canada & 200 countries, and make sure your gift is delivered on time!
  • Start planning your New Year’s with these Unusual Airbnb Spots for New Year’s Eve.
  • You’ve read this far, we’re sure you have a friend who’d like to see this too. Click those share buttons below.

Image #1 by asenat29

Your Guide to Buying the Best Candles for Diwali

There’s a time around the globe when millions of people fill the world with candles, colorful lights, prayers, and gifts of goodness to one another – it’s Diwali, or the Festival of Light, and it’s the most important festival of the Hindu religion. For five days every fall, warm flames big and small shine to represent the triumph of light over darkness, everyone exchanges gifts, and there are great feasts to share. This year, Diwali also coincides with the Hindu New Year, so we’re going to help you celebrate with your complete guide to finding the perfect candles for the Festival of Light.

Our 9 Favorite Haunted Places Around The World

October is here and once again the world is buzzing with people trading ghost stories and creepy tales to keep each other up at night.  You know the kind, the tales you laugh about at first, but days or even weeks later a thought inches its way into your skull “What if. . . .”

Real or not, imagination or something else, scary stories are a thrill and there are none better than those told about real places. Haunted houses, castles, forests, churches, playgrounds, they’re all just a little easier to believe right around Halloween. So what are the best hot spots? A quick Google search will probably lead you to local tales, or a real hot spot of reported activity just a few hours’ drive from where you sit. There’s no real rating system, ghosts aren’t real . . . Right? Just in case, here are 9 spooky locations you might want to avoid!

Aokigahara, Mount Fuji, Japan – Maybe you saw the movie, but the real Aokigahara is too beautiful, majestic, and yes creepy to be portrayed by any film.  This swath of 13.5 miles of dense trees and even denser undergrowth sits beneath Mt. Fuji, and even without knowing its history, just a glance is sure to take your breath away.

Local legend and popular tourist tales tell a different story of people coming to this sea of trees with the intention of committing suicide. The stories have spread and more and more people flock to this forest to see what it’s all about, fewer come out. Rumor has it, you can catch glimpses of the people who chose to spend their last moments here, and it’s certainly easy to see how you can feel like there’s something or someone else with you when you’re standing in the middle of this much overgrown nature.

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Beechwood Lunatic Asylum, Victoria, Australia – originally known as Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, this complex of more than 60 buildings housed the mentally ill for 128 years before closing its doors in 1995.  Like most asylums, Beechwood has a long and complex history that leaves a lot of people with more questions than they started with.

Visitors have reported seeing a figure of a man who shows up near the cellar only to completely vanish once you’re almost sure he’s there. Other tales include the usual bumps, scrapes, and noises you can never quite explain, and aren’t really sure you want to. With such a long history and sprawling landscape it doesn’t take much imagination to understand how anyone could get lost, overwhelmed, and scared out of their minds.

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Paris Catacombs, Paris, France – If ghosts have rules they certainly include something about graveyards. No resting place is quite as ominous and vast as the Catacombs of Paris. These underground ossuaries were made out of the skeletons of collapsing mines in Paris and house the remains of over six million people.

Since the early 19th century, people have been coming to look at this underground wonder. Some to pay their respects, some to seek answers to questions on death, and more still to see if they can find something to make them question what they know of the world.  Whatever draws you there, make sure you go on a guided tour. Not all of the tunnels have been mapped, and even experienced tour guides have to be extra careful to not get turned around and wind up lost forever.

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Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa – Built in the 17th century, this Dutch East India Company fort is the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa, and it’s now considered the best-preserved building of its kind. Like most colonial buildings, the structure wasn’t popular when it was raised and it hardly got more popular as the surrounding people were oppressed.

With so many bad feelings and spilled blood drenching the history of this building, it’s understandable that many people feel instantly uneasy as they tour the grounds. Reports even include testimonials of those who see vicious dogs jump at people (although no dogs are kept on the grounds), and men marching around that seem to appear and disappear into nowhere.

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Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania, United States – This former American prison operated from 1829 until 1971. The wagon wheel design and all of the building’s features were built to minimize privacy, maximize security, and ensure that prisoners never forgot that they were in a place meant to make them to pay for their crimes.

The history of the prison is long and sordid, with tales of misconduct from both the jailors and the prisoners. Many people have reported seeing ghosts of inmates that died, doors closing or opening on their own, having their hair pulled by invisible people, and more. The building tours do little to discourage these rumors, embracing its spooky status and offering haunted tours around Halloween.

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Poveglia Island, Italy – This is a small island that has been used as a dumping ground for centuries. But rather than trash, it was unwanted people that were abandoned.  In the 1300’s, the sick, dying, or dead were brought here to keep them away from people who were healthy.

In the 1800’s, the island was repurposed as a place to care for the mentally ill, and it is rumored that in the 1930’s a doctor was performing weird experiments on the patients there.  After a brief stint as a geriatric center during the middle 20th century, the facility and the island were abandoned entirely.  Tourists and locals were banned from visiting the place, and recent attempts to try to revive the hospital building were abandoned. No one knows why.

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Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland – This historic fortress leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits. The building has been standing since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD) and while the nature of the early settlement is unclear, there is no question that the people who built it were impressively skilled.

The castle has been used, if not as housing for lords, then as a barracks for soldiers, and the history it has built up is impressive. Used to house prisoners during the Seven Years War, the American Revolutionary War, and others, it is clear that this larger than life structure has seen every side of humanity. Visitors report feeling threatened, seeing shadowy figures, drops in temperature, and even something touching them. Maybe they just read too much about what happened here or didn’t see a small hole that let in a draft. Maybe they ran into a spider web. Or maybe, just maybe, they ran into something else.

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Old Changi Hospital, Changi, Singapore – This hospital was built in 1935 by the British and doubled as barracks. During WWII the facility was overtaken and captured by the Japanese. They went on to use Changi Hospital as a prison camp where they carried on intense questioning of prisoners, even brutal torture.

It seems the screams of these people never managed to escape the walls, as it’s one of the many things visitors report experiencing, along with sightings of bloody soldiers, phantom smells, and crying. With erratic electricity and various other weird events, it’s no wonder many feel uncomfortable entering the building.

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Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada – This hotel was built over 125 years ago by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a place to entice travelers and help visitors indulge in a taste of luxury. Behind its picturesque landscape and furnishings, though, lies a not-so-pristine history.

A favorite story told by locals is the tale of room 873, where it is said that a family was murdered. The stories of this room grew quickly. Visitors to the room after the supposed murder reported screams, bloody handprints, and more. Eventually, the hotel staff decided it was best to get rid of the room completely and they sealed it off, finishing the brick with drywall to make it – almost – disappear into the rest of the hallway.

The hotel is still functional today, but the staff won’t tell you anything about room 873. However, many visitors still report seeing the family and other mysterious things in the hall.

Now, You’re Almost Ready for Halloween – What’s Next? 

  • Schedule your gift now, so you don’t forget. Browse Halloween gifts to USA, Canada & 200 countries, and make sure your gift is delivered on time!
  • Interested in a very scary vacation? Read about Fall Vacation Spots with Spooky Thrills.
  • You’ve read this far, we’re sure you have a friend who’d like to have a terrifyingly good time too. Click those share buttons below.

3 Fall Vacation Spots with Spooky Thrills

October is here, with longer nights and a chilly wind, and while people in the US are gearing up for Halloween, many others around the globe are also trading ghost stories. What if you could make those spooky stories come to life for you and your family? If you dare to be scared, we’ve got some terrifying travel plans that will keep you and your family on the edge of their seats (in a safe, fun way of course).

One of the best reasons to go on a ghost-hunting trip is that October isn’t a traditional vacation month, so right now flights are cheap. Hotels are cheaper too, and if you’re willing to vacation during the week, you can get some of the best rates ever on a getaway for you and your loved ones. Plan a bonding trip for the company, get out with friends, or take the kids somewhere more adventurous than Disneyland.

If you love all things that go bump in the night, try planning your vacation around these possibly haunted locations. They love tourists and offer the best of haunted (and not) sightseeing. You can go antiquing by day and ghost hunting by night at these scare-tastic locales.

Scary places to visit on Halloween

Aokigahara, Mount Fuji, Japan – Mt. Fuji is a wonder in its own right. Bustling with a dizzying array of local hotels on either side of the mountain, you’ll find staying near this world wonder is easy. There’s plenty of public transportation to help get you to and from major shrines and hot springs. Just remember, if you do travel outside of the climbing season of July-August, you’ll need to plan a bit more carefully since some of the public transportation options stop. Once you’ve got the local travel handled though, you can enjoy a panoramic spa like Yurari. The temples and guided tours are nearly endless, and the local shopping is bursting with options too plentiful to fit in your suitcases, even if you bring a spare.

With so many regular tourist options, there’s already plenty to do for the whole family. But if you’re looking for something unusual, beautiful, and spooky you don’t have to go far. At the base of the mountain sits Aokigahara. With 13.5 miles of dense trees and even denser undergrowth, this forest is sure to entrance you.

Listen to the locals and do a quick Google search, and you’ll find that this forest is a notorious spot for suicides. The more the stories have spread, the more people have come to visit this absolutely haunting location. Rumor has it, many of these people never come out. The forest is such a popular place for suicide attempts that there are signs reminding visitors to ‘Remember your children and family,’ and that ‘Your life is precious.’ If you’re brave enough to go in, you may even catch a glimpse of the yurei: the mournful spirits of those who spent their last moments between these trees.

Whatever you find, you’re sure to walk away with a bigger scrap book and a ton of great stories to tell!

Spooky Halloween destination

Beechwood Lunatic Asylum, Victoria, Australia – Victoria, Australia is where people go to do a little bit of everything. You will get absolutely lost in your options for spas, and by the end of your trip, you’ll want to visit at least one! There’s also a dizzying array of gorgeous beaches ready to show you the beauty of the world, but we recommend visiting the 12 Apostles Beach for the best views. If you want an all-day adventure, you can go to Wilson’s Promontory where you’re sure to spot at least one kangaroo.

When night falls, and your family is itching to get into the spooky spirit of Halloween, you can take a drive up to Beechwood Lunatic Asylum, originally known as Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum. This institution was open for 128 years before closing in 1995, and its history would leave any horror film writer giddy with options.

Maybe you’ll get lucky and see one of the famous apparitions, like the man guarding the cellar. Maybe you’ll feel a playful tug on your hair, or hear things that just aren’t possible. Whatever adventures you have at Beechwood, you’re sure to walk away with stunning pictures of the sprawling estate and 60-plus historical buildings. You’re also in Australia, you really can’t have a bad time there!

Best places to go on Halloween

Last on our list, but certainly not least, is Poveglia Island, Italy. You aren’t actually allowed to get on this island. It has a history of being used as a quarantine zone, home to a mental-institution-turned-geriatric-center that is now closed, and plenty of rumors about things that go bump in the night. In fact, recent attempts to restore the building were unexpectedly haunted.

However, while you can’t go on the island, you can visit the area around it and soak up the culture, local rumors, and plenty of sights. It’s nestled between Venice and Lido so whatever side you choose to stay on you’re sure to have a good time. Between the food, art, culture, and kind locals, you and your family will be spoiled for choice of entertainment and fun.  If you’re looking for something spiritual rather than spooky you might try visiting St. Mary of the Friars, or simply taking in the captivating sound of Musica a Palazzo – a “Traveling Opera.”

Add some shopping, and a boat ride from San Marco Square that might just get you close enough to snap some pictures of Poveglia Island, and your family has a new Facebook album that will be the envy of all of your friends.

Take a trip to one of these spooky spots, or tell us about other haunted vacations on your itinerary. No matter where you travel, in every corner of the world you’re sure to find something wonderful, unique, and inspiring. If you ask around enough you may even find a local haunted spot or two. If you’ve got a spirit for adventure and a willingness to explore you are sure to make any vacation spot a unique adventure for you, your friends, and your family. Just make sure you take plenty of pictures and share with the world the wonders you find. After all, the best part of traveling is sharing the story.

Now, You’re Almost Ready for Halloween – What’s Next? 

  • Schedule your gift now, so you don’t forget. Browse Halloween gifts to USA, Canada & 200 countries, and make sure your gift is delivered on time!
  • Ready for more? Read about Our 9 Favorite Haunted Places Around The World.
  • You’ve read this far, we’re sure you have a friend who’d like to have a terrifyingly good time too. Click those share buttons below.

National Frappe Day – 1-Minute Original Frappe Recipe

October 7th is National Frappe Day, so it’s the perfect time to indulge in delicious frappe drink. With cold weather right around the corner, this might be your last chance this year to enjoy this cold, but oh-so-delicious beverage.

The word frappé comes from the French language, and it means chilled, but the drink itself is a version of coffee that first became popular in Greece and Cyprus. Now, a version of it has spread all over the world thanks to Starbucks’ famous Frappucino, and McDonald’s Mocha Frappe, which actually don’t have a lot to do with the original recipe.

The first frappé was made in Greece in 1957. The story goes that its invention was equal parts accident and desperation for a morning caffeine fix. One of the employees of Nestle Company couldn’t find hot water for his morning cup of instant coffee so he decided to make it with cold water and ice in a shaker instead. The drink turned out to be a hit – it looked gorgeous with its foam topping, satisfied sweet tooths and caffeine cravings, and took less than a minute to make. Before long, all the local baristas were serving it. To this day, the frappé is the number one drink in every cafe in Greece.

In the US, the frappe turned into a sort of coffee milkshake and most westerners have never actually tried the real frappé. But since today is National Frappe Day it’s the perfect opportunity to do just that! As an added bonus, doing it at home is cheaper and easier than going to your local coffee shop!

You’ll need:

  • 1 ½ tsp Instant Coffee (or more if you want more foam)
  • 1 ½ tsp White Sugar
  • Cold Water
  • Milk or Water to taste
  • Ice cubes
  • And any toppings you like!


Step 1 –
Put the coffee and sugar into a shaker or a BPA-free plastic bottle and top with just enough cold water to cover the mix. Then shake quickly for about 30 seconds. If it’s foaming a lot, you’ve done it right!

Step 2 – Pour the contents into a tall glass and add ice cubes along with milk or water to taste. Stir until everything is mixed and enjoy. If you’re looking for something a little extra indulgent, this is where your toppings come in! A little bit of whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate syrup will make it feel just like Starbucks.

You can make this cool-looking, famous drink at home in literally 1 minute! Get fancy with your toppings and you have a perfect drink worthy of an Instagram shot! Impress your friends the next time they visit with your barista skills or pamper yourself and your loved ones with this frappé recipe, but beware, it is highly addictive, and you might not want to go back to your old way of having coffee!

Holiday Recipes: Rosh Hashanah Essentials

If you are one of those people who’s always looking for food inspiration from different cultures, here are some delicious, traditional Jewish recipes inspired by Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), which is just around the corner.

One of the holiest days in Judaism, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world. It traditionally features sweet foods to symbolize the cycle of life and people’s hope for a “sweet” new beginning. Special challah bread, along with apples, honey, and pomegranate, makes the centerpiece of the celebration and becomes a tangible symbol of the holiday’s deeper meaning.

Challah, a rich, golden loaf related to Russian and Polish babka bread, came to Jewish cuisine from Germany and quickly became one of the most popular traditional dishes. Though you can always buy challah from a bakery, making it at home is a wonderful way to connect with tradition and create a perfect loaf that will be a big hit with both children and adults not only on Rosh Hashanah but any other celebration.

We are always hunting for new authentic recipes that are easy to make at home and this one hits the mark. If you want to surprise your loved ones and receive tons of compliments this delicious 6-ingredients Challah will do the trick in 5 easy steps:

Jewish Challah Bread

What you need:

1 1/2 Cups water
4 Teaspoons yeast
2/3 Cups sugar
2/3 Cups oil
4 Eggs
1 Egg yolk (or more if needed)
3 Teaspoons salt
2.5 lbs. flour

Step 1. In a large bowl, mix lukewarm water, yeast, sugar, oil, eggs, and half the flour with a cake beater. Add salt.

Step 2. Add remaining flour and thoroughly knead with the dough hook or by hand. Let the dough rise for one hour.

Step 3. Divide the dough into 3 equal-sized pieces. On a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes about 1-2 inches thick and 10-12 inches long. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top (it will be easier to do so if the ropes are thinner at the ends) and braid them. Let the braided challah rise for 30-45 min. If the dough is a little sticky, lightly grease your hands.

Step 4. Whisk 1 yolk (or more if needed) with a little water and about 1 teaspoon of sugar. Brush the top of the challah for a sweet crust.

Step 5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until the top browns to a rich golden color, and the loaf sounds hollow when you tap it with a spoon (about 25 to 35 minutes). Let it cool before cutting and enjoy!

Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year.” Because of this, there another tradition of serving fish for this holiday, often with the head still on. An old symbol of fertility and wealth, fish dishes are quite popular on the Rosh Hashanah table. Having tried many holiday recipes featuring fish, we’ve agreed that the one below is one of the most delicious and simple among them. With only 4 ingredients and 4 steps to follow, you’ll have a healthy Jewish inspired dinner and still have plenty of time to spend with your guests.

Baked Fish Fillets with Honey-Lemon Butter 

What you need:

2 1/2 Cups honey
3 1/2 Cups butter
3 1/3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
150g (5 to 6 oz.) White fish fillets
Lemon slices (optional)

Step 1. Beat honey, butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2. Arrange fish fillets on a greased baking sheet. Lightly season with salt and pepper on both sides.

Step 3. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Bake fish until opaque and firm, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4. To serve, top each portion with 1 Tbl. Honey-Lemon Butter (see step 1) and a slice of lemon (optional).

Now, You’re Almost Ready for Rosh Hashanah – What’s Next?