Dark Tourism with TravelBug: Morbid curiosity or an understanding of the impact of horrors of yesteryear?

If Transylvania and Salem are on your bucket list and destinations with shadowy tales and haunted histories sound right up your street then we would LOVE to introduce you to TravelBug Holidays. Nicola is passionate about travel, but has a specific interest in Dark Tourism which is why we know you’re going to love getting to know about all the wonderful and unexpected destinations waiting to be unveiled. Dark tourism is more than a journey into the macabre - it’s an opportunity to understand the depths of human history, resilience and culture and we are so interested to learn more.

We have asked Nicola to put together a series of articles about TravelBug, dark tourism, unusual destinations and learning from our past. So if you’re planning your haunted honeymoon or are looking for the perfectly villainous vacation then read on…

TravelBug Holidays and Dark Tourism: a morbid curiosity or an understanding of the impact of horrors of yesteryear?

When I mention dark tourism, there are two main reactions I get: a look of sheer horror and disgust, or one of surprise and interest.

While the topic has become somewhat more acceptable following recent TV documentaries and books, there are limited travel itineraries or agents dedicated to this.

I started in the travel industry many moons ago and my business was the usual package holidays. The boring fly-and-flop holidays where the main focus was the nearest beaches and bars. I still put every effort into making these holidays memorable and personal, but they just weren’t fuelling my love of travel creation.

And so, I began to look at places that piqued my interest, sparked a sense of wonder, or ignited the need to find out why certain events took place, both past and present.

It was hard. Hard to find any tours or packages that catered to this and that allowed the flexibility to create something truly unique to my interests. I wanted to visit places from my favourite horror novels or movies, see where cultural events took place, and visit the scenes of crimes (both war and criminal).

After speaking with the many suppliers I work with, I found it was possible to put together these itineraries. It took a bit longer and involved more planning, but the result was an amazing adventure, specifically created to cater to individual interests and desires.

The result; TravelBug Holidays. An independent travel agent that specialises in the more unique and alternative travel itineraries. A travel agent that can put together holidays in the UK or worldwide. We can book escorted or independent touring, book your car hire, excursions, attraction tickets and much more.

We believe that dark tourism is the exploitation of the different, the unique and the sometimes-unsettling places on our planet. A look into different cultures, our history and the events that took place, shaping our future for better or worse.

Understanding the impact of these events can give us insight into how we can ensure they are remembered and respected and be grateful for the value of peace.

So, if your inner tourist is a bit of a dark one, give us a call or message and we will happily find the perfect holiday destination for you.