Halloween is creeping by and has conveniently landed on a holiday. This leaves your itinerary open to explore and make a trip out of the long weekend. If you’re one for thrills, consider dropping by these four haunted destinations, if you dare.

From 1692 to 1693, it was a harrowing time to be a villager of Salem, Massachusetts, in the US, as rampant witch trials occurred all over. Several women, some of whom were young girls, were accused of committing witchcraft. An unfair trial would take place, often ending with them being hanged for heresy. Those who did not conform to Puritan ideals were doomed to be accused of being a witch. By the end of it all, 19 were hanged, and one was pressed to death with stones for refusing to enter a plea. These deplorable actions by the town are the alleged reason the city continues to face regular hauntings, as local folks believe the souls of those who were wronged linger in the area. There are many witch-themed shops to visit, as well as tours that offer visits to the sites where the witch trials took place.

Several point to Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania, as the alleged castle that inspired Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel. Though there isn’t evidence to support this is the actual case. Nevertheless, many associate Bran Castle with the iconic horror tale due to its being located on a clifftop similar to the castle in Bram’s story. Some also believe Vlad the Impaler, the supposed inspiration for Count Dracula, was once imprisoned in the palace. These days, the palace is open for tours. You can see medieval torture devices on display, uncover the many secret rooms hidden throughout, or learn more about how Queen Marie worked on the castle’s restoration.

Our next location requires a trigger warning first, due to its associations with suicide. Aokigahara Forest is widely known as “Suicide Forest,” due to many such cases occurring in the area. To locals, the forest is believed to be home to yūrei, or ghosts of the dead, according to Japanese mythology. In 2017, YouTuber Jake Paul shot into viral infamy after posting a video of himself with a corpse he found while filming in the forest with his crew. While it’s not exactly a go-to tourist spot due to these occurrences, the location is still a popular stop for those who want to get a good view of Mt. Fuji and explore the rich wildlife in the area. Note: If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, seek professional help immediately.

Known as the walled city, this particular location has gone through centuries of inhabitants. In the morning, we visit it for the various historical sights, giving us a glimpse of the Spanish colonial life up until the invasion of Imperial Japan in the Philippines. There are several locations that are said to be haunted, with many spotting ghosts of Spanish priests or lingering souls from the perils of World War II. Come October, there are night tours often offered to go through allegedly haunted destinations. Even our headquarters here in The Manila Bulletin allegedly has its fair share of spirits that wander about. After all, our office was once an Augustinian haven, having been the former grounds of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Church before it faced utter destruction during WWII.