TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Where Were the US’s Most Popular Halloween Movies Shot?

Where Were the US’s Most Popular Halloween Movies Shot?

With October 31st right around the corner, it’s time to curl up on the couch and put on a Halloween classic.

Watching scary movies while eating candy and popcorn is a perfect way to spend an autumn evening. And when it comes to Halloween flicks, Americans have choices.

Every decade seems to produce a new hit film or sequel in the genre, paving the way for future nostalgia.

That’s a key ingredient for great Halloween films; nostalgia. The best Halloween movies are filled with familiar terrors, from recognizable characters like Jason Voorhees to more homely witches like Winifred, Mary, and Sarah.

Most of all, the best Halloween flicks include those seasonal settings that remind audiences it’s full-on fall.

And some of those places might actually feel familiar. After all, most classic American Halloween films were shot inside the States and set in small towns.

But can you name the towns and cities where the most popular Halloween movies were shot? Let’s take a closer look at the settings behind the scenes of the US’s most beloved releases.

Halloween (1978)

Halloween introduced Michael Meyers to the world (and Jamie Lee Curtis, but that’s another story). But this low-budget film wasn’t actually shot in the infamous and fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois.

Instead, it was shot incredibly close to its production studio in locations like Hollywood and South Pasadena. Hopefully, I haven’t ruined the magic for anyone.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th slightly tarnished the allure of summer camps—especially those located in the woods.

The spookiest part about researching this movie’s setting is that Camp Crystal Lake (the fictional stomping grounds of Jason Voorhees) is a real-life summer camp called Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco… which is still in operation today.

The campgrounds are located in Blairs Township, New Jersey. Every summer, hundreds of happy-go-lucky campers fill the grounds. (I wonder how many recognize the setting.)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

From the mind of Wes Craven came one of the US’s most enduring Halloween franchises: A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the film is set on the fictional Elm Street in the fictional city of Springwood, Ohio. However, like many other films on this list, the movie was actually shot in and around Los Angeles.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Winter River, Connecticut is one of the most famous fictional places in the world of spooky films. Beetlejuice centers around one family’s goal of haunting their old home’s new residents and getting them out of dodge.

Unfortunately, Winter River doesn’t exist. The film was shot in East Corinth, Connecticut instead. Most interior shots were completed in Culver City, California.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

We all know the setting for Hocus Pocus: Salem, Massachusetts. But where was it really shot? I have good news for you—the film was actually shot throughout the picturesque town.

In fact, visitors can go on tours that showcase the most famous locations from the film.

Scream (1996)

This cult hit became an immediate Halloween classic—one that has spawned multiple new releases, just like the Halloween franchise. The film was set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California.

In reality, it was shot across multiple Californian towns. Most filming took place in Santa Rosa and Sonoma, along with Glen Ellen, Tomales, and Healdsburg. 

Top Five-Star Hotels in Europe, Africa, & South America

Five-star stays don’t come around often.

When it comes to booking hotels, most travelers focus on basic amenities like location, room features, and affordability. And they usually have dozens of options—especially in popular cities, from Milan to Miami.

That being said, no lodging experience compares to a five-star hotel stay.

Five-star hotels offer the uppermost echelon of service, experience, and atmosphere. Though many travelers associate them with luxury—and rightfully so—a memorable five-star stay usually goes above and beyond to curate its design.

Technically speaking, hotel brands can achieve a five-star rating by adding all the necessary amenities. From pools to spas to the square footage of its rooms, five-star metrics are lengthy and complex.

But the crème of the crop does a lot more than tick off a checklist. So, what do leading five-star hotels actually look like in practice?

I’m taking you on a tour of some of the best five-star hotels in Europe, Africa, and South America. First up: Switzerland’s Tschuggen Grand Hotel.

Top five-star hotels around the world

Tschuggen Grand Hotel

Arosa, Switzerland

When picturing extravagance in Switzerland, places like St. Moritz come to mind first. (No surprise there—St. Mortiz is a legacy destination.)

But one of the country’s most memorable and re-bookable five-star stays is located a little further off the beaten path in a town called Arosa.

Arosa is home to some of the country’s best skiing slopes and hiking trails. It’s also home to the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, which takes winter and summer vacations to new heights.

I mean that literally—the hotel has its own private railway, the Tschuggen Express, that ferries guests up and down the mountain. For skiers, that equates to total access to the slopes at this ski-in, ski-out mountain resort.

Skiers can even glide back down the mountain straight to the hotel… and then store their gear in handy lockers near the lifts. If that’s not enough, the hotel actually rents out the best slopes in the area for its ‘Private Mountain’ skiing event.

If direct ski access and private railways aren’t enough, the Tschuggen also excels in its range of on-site restaurants, which includes the Michelin Star La Brezza and a themed fondu lodge.

Guests also raved about its curated design—I’m talking about bespoke Swarovski crystal chandeliers and similar menageries from the chic-eclectic world of Carlo Rampazzi.

Other notable five-star features:

  • Moving Mountains sustainability initiative
  • Plastic-free kids club
  • World-class Bergoase spa
  • Exclusive Mountain Loft suites

La Mamounia

Marrakech, Morocco

If you’ve researched five-star stays before, you might have read about La Mamounia.

The storied hotel dates back to 1929 when renowned French architects transformed a former royal garden into an Art Deco dream—one that blends modern design with the timeless grace of the Moroccan dynasty.

The stately grounds differentiate this five-star stay from others. In fact, La Mamounia has hosted some of the world’s most famous thinkers and artists for nearly a century, from Winston Churchill to Yves Saint Laurent to Paul McCartney.

Think of La Mamounia as a respite for our world’s most important public figures, fit with all the standard five-star features.

And that’s really enough for some visitors to wait years for a room.

That’s the five-star magic here: La Mamounia is a visual masterpiece with a sense of gravitas. It can’t be found elsewhere because it exists on the grounds of an ancient dynastic garden, designed by two influential and iconic architects from the 20th century.

Its pools and courtyards are poetically staged amid horseshoe arches, while its staff are dressed to the nines in traditional Moroccan garb. Combined together, La Mamounia offers an almost otherworldly step into luxury.

Other notable five-star features:

  • Traditional hammam
  • Hair and beauty salon

Hotel Das Cataratas

Iguazú National Park, Brazil

Five-star stays should offer a sense of exclusivity. At the Tschuggen, that’s a top-tier ski-in and ski-out experience, along with its Private Mountain event. At the La Mamounia, it’s staying in regal and larger-than-life grounds.

At Hotel Das Cataratas, that exclusivity is access to the largest waterfalls in the Amazon.

The colonial Portuguese mansion that dates back to 1958 isn’t too shabby either. The pink-walled estate is visually iconic and decked out with all the necessary five-star amenities, including three world-class eateries and an Amazonian-centric spa.

But let’s circle back to the falls. Das Cataratas offers guests truly novel ways to experience the wonders of Iguazu National Park and Iguassu Falls.

From private helicopter tours to curated full moon events that showcase a lunar rainbow, guests are in for treats they won’t find elsewhere.

Looking for next-gen wellness services? They also offer those, including treatments like bioenergetic therapies and access to one of the Amazon’s coolest bird parks.

Other notable five-star features:

  • Exclusive views of Iguassu Waterfalls
  • Holistic spa treatments
  • Immersion in nature, including sightings of tapirs, deer, and more

What are Dark Tourism and Disaster Tourism? Beginner’s Guide

Travel trends are endlessly fascinating.

This year, tourists across the world showed renewed interest in hospitality trends like aparthotels, social media fads like rawdogging flights, and meaningful efforts in sustainability.

Those three examples highlight what usually drives the latest travel trends: The hunt for better deals and experiences, the latest in pop culture, and overarching societal questions.

But some trends fly under the radar.

For decades, I’ve heard about two increasingly mainstream forms of travel: Dark tourism and disaster tourism. Both are likely to catch your attention, and they’re often clumped into the same category despite their differences.

But dark tourism and disaster tourism aren’t driven by trends, demographic changes, or social media challenges.

They’re driven by interest in savings and the macabre—separately, of course. Here’s what you need to know about dark tourism and disaster tourism.

What is dark tourism?

Dark tourism has two definitions.

The first covers tours related to life’s spookier destinations, such as the London Tower, Chernobyl, or the Catacombs of Paris. This fascination has been widely studied over the years and is well documented.

If you enjoy these types of dark tourist destinations, don’t feel alone or conflicted—it’s not a new trend by any stretch.

The second type of dark tourism—which I’m covering in this article—is an interest in visiting areas that are currently embroiled in upheaval and instability.

Dark tourism covers travel to destinations that are known for tense political, economic, and social situations, such as North Korea, Myanmar, or Afghanistan.

The big question is why people want to travel to these locations during periods of unrest. (I’m excluding those who travel for work, such as journalists and aid workers.)

The short answer? There’s an element of thrill in the sense of danger involved in dark tourism. There’s an element of heading into the unknown—one in which the stakes are very high.

Other fans of dark tourism are simply country counters, interested in ticking off visits like they’re shopping in a grocery store for snacks. For these types of tourists, getting a first-hand look at a country allows them to see the world for themselves rather than base their opinion on popular media.

Is dark tourism ethical?

In its broader definition of seeking out macabre sites, dark tourism isn’t usually viewed as unethical. It’s treated as one of those strange human impulses.

But dark tourism in the sense of seeking out dangerous conflict zones is usually seen as problematic.

That’s because there are growing questions around reciprocity in travel. In standard tourism, a traveler arrives with money and curiosity; they exchange funds for a cultural experience. Locals make a living while representing their culture, history, traditions, and local environment.

In areas facing instability, if not outright aggression from hostile forces, that reciprocity is thrown out of balance. In short, if locals are trying to survive a high-risk situation, tourists might only add to the stress.

That being said, what defines a ‘high-risk’ area isn’t always clear. And some places might be culturally off-limits—but not necessarily dangerous.

For example, I know a handful of Americans who have traveled to Iran despite warnings from the Department of State. They left with only positive experiences of the country, the people, and the food.

What is disaster tourism?

Let’s move on to a subset of dark tourism: Disaster tourism.

Disaster tourism focuses on those who purposefully travel to a place shortly after a disaster takes place—usually a natural disaster, but sometimes following political protests.

The idea is that areas that these areas could use the economic boost that tourism provides. Plus, travelers don’t need to be worried—tsunamis, tornadoes, and earthquakes don’t usually strike twice.

In exchange, tourists miss out on crowds. They’re usually in store for savings, too, as hotels, tours, and similar experiences drop their prices when demand is low.

Is disaster tourism ethical?

There’s no hard and easy answer to that.

Advocates for disaster tourism believe that their visits help infuse money into the economy, while also helping spread awareness of the disaster. Critics, on the other hand, say that it’s a form of exploitation.

I think the answer depends on the region and context.

If an area relies on tourism, then disaster tourism is ethical. For example, imagine you have plans to go to Puerto Rico right before a major hurricane strikes. Those who keep their reservations offer critical support to local communities that rely on tourism, from hospitality to dining to day trips.

I think that’s a pretty easy win for travelers and locals. So, if you already have your trip booked and the area in question is reliant economically on tourism, then don’t worry about the ethics.

At the same time, don’t expect the same quality of experience that you’d normally get, as services are probably a bit more limited.

The Pampered Pooch: Hotels with the Best Pet Care

Pet travel is easier than ever before.

Whether flying across a continent or finding a pet-friendly hotel, the options available to travelers today are better in quality, range, and price than ever before.

Even dog boarding and pet-sitting are only a few clicks away thanks to vetted platforms like Kindred, Rover, and more.

That being said, some hospitality brands have taken their pet care policies to new heights. They aren’t just interested in providing guests with a pet-friendly room with a water bowl laid out.

They’re crafting full-on pooch pampering programs designed to delight guests—and keep them coming back year after year.

Looking for hotels with the best pet care in the United States? Here is the crème of the crop.

US hotels with the best pet care

The Plaza, New York City

The Canine Companion Package

The Plaza offers a truly extravagant stay right in the middle of Manhattan—and its ethos of total care extends to its furry guests. The Plaza has a special canine companion package, which allows guests to bring along up to two pets in their room.

There, they’ll find bowls laid out for their pets, along with other goodies like beds designed for the dog’s size and breed.

On top of that, visitors can order their pooch food from a doggy menu—and even a specialized robe so they don’t feel left out when guests head to the spa.

Bobby Hotel, Nashville

Helping train companion dogs for veterans

The Bobby Hotel doesn’t just allow guests to bring along their furry family—the owners and staff are also dog lovers.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the hotel’s resident pooch, Hairy.  He’s been specially trained to greet guests in the lobby—while also avoiding areas like elevators and dining areas.

But you might notice a few other pups around. That’s because Bobby Hotel works with the Nashville Humane Society to help train pups who are in school to become companions to US veterans in need via Pets for Patriots.

Kimpton Brice Hotel, Savannah

A Pet-Friendly Policy

Kimpton Brice’s Savannah location makes it easy to know what to expect when staying with a pup. In fact, your pup will be greeted by name upon arrival—by the hotel’s Director of Pet Relations.

From there, it’s five-star service for you and Fido.

Dogs get water bowls and mats, along with plush beds and food menus. There’s also a pet relief area on the grounds, which is regularly cleaned. (As someone who travels with a chihuahua, this is one of those deceptively important features—knowing where you should be letting your dog go to the bathroom.)

But that’s not even the icing on the cake at Kimpton.

They also work with Wag!, a pet care service that offers things like boarding, walking, and sitting. I’ve yet to see that degree of dedication elsewhere.

Emeline, Charleston

The Pawsome Package

This bougie boutique stay extends all its finer offers to pups. Visitors can expect a very personalized form of service for their dog, which includes a dog treat from the hotel’s in-house pastry chef—along with a gourmet bowl and plush bed, of course.

Along with other pet-safe treats, guests can also inquire about pet-friendly locations in Charleston.

Though the Emeline charges a pretty hefty pet fee ($200), they go above and beyond to make sure guests and their dogs enjoy the city.

Day Passes: How to Rent a Hotel Room for a Long Layover

Did you know you can rent a hotel room just for a day?

Welcome to the magic of day passes, which give weary travelers a room to use during obscene layovers. (You might also see this offer billed as day rates.)

The setup is simple. Travelers who have a day-long layover and no energy to explore a city pay a small fee for a day pass at a hotel near the airport. In exchange, hotels earn on their unbooked rooms.

It’s a win-win… but how does it work? Do you just show up to a hotel and ask for a day rate? Is there a list somewhere that ranks the best hotels that offer day passes?

Let’s dig in.

How do hotel day passes work?

The goal of a hotel day pass is to allow travelers to escape an airport during an extra-long layover.

Unsurprisingly, airport hotels are the first option at your disposal. (Some even offer free shuttles to and from the airport, though that’s not the case across the board.) But you can also find day passes at hotels much farther from the airport.

Day passes are usually available first thing in the morning, letting you step off a red-eye, and then get some more downtime in a private room. Most hotel day passes end around 6 pm.

Every hotel has its own day pass check-in and check-out times—so be sure to ask for details.

Some day passes give guests the chance to use a hotel’s amenities, from pools to spas to workout rooms. However, certain day passes might be more limited or expensive—especially at four-star and five-star locations. Once again, read the fine print.

How can you find hotels that offer day passes?

The easiest way to find day passes is to use daypass, a platform that lists the best hotel day passes near airports around the world.

Hotels sign up for daypass, then showcase their unique deals. That means the list is always updated with the latest daypass offers.

On top of that, daypass curates lists that focus on offers that appeal to different types of travelers.

Fitness buffs, for example, are probably on the hunt for a deal that gives them access to a state-of-the-art gym. On the other hand, families might be after a more kid-friendly hotel with amenities like playgrounds or playrooms.

But daypass isn’t the only provider helping you find day rates at hotels.

There are also platforms like daycation. Daycation’s shtick is hotel passes in exclusive five-star locations that offer pretty insane amenities, from private beach access to world-class spa access.

Tips to find the best day rates

If you have a long layover and want to find a day pass, you need to answer one simple question.

Are you looking for a place to relax or an awesome place for a day-trip experience?

If you’re looking for a hotel to unwind, I suggest exploring daypass’s latest deals.

If you’d rather not bother with the platform, you can also learn more about hotel day passes by simply calling the front desk. This lets you find day passes that might not be offered online.

Once you know which airport your layover is in, you can look up hotels nearby, select your favorite, and call to ask about its day pass policies.

But if you want to unwind and enjoy your day pass, then I suggest using the daycation platform. Like the name suggests, the idea is to provide travelers with long layovers and unforgettable daytime adventures.

The more exotic the location of the airport, the cooler those daycations are.

La Compagnie: Inside the World’s Only Business Class Airline

Flying business class is a big deal.

Though it’s not quite as luxurious as a first-class ticket, business class offers a much more premium experience. Business class passengers can expect more personalized service, plenty of space, and elevated dining options.

Aside from added amenities and care, there are a few reasons that more passengers are opting for business class seats.

Those traveling with kids, for example, might pay more for a more comfortable flight—especially during long-haul trips. Those traveling for important work events, by contrast, might prefer seats where they’re more likely to get some shut-eye.

Regardless of the motivation, passengers expect a lot from their business class experience.

Some might actually seek out airlines that specialize in extravagant service. Semi-private airlines, for example, are steadily gaining popularity in the US. Not only do they offer a higher echelon of service, but they’re affordable for many travelers.

But semi-private airlines aren’t quite the same as La Compagnie, the only airline in the world that offers exclusive business class-only tickets.

Meet La Compagnie

La Compagnie is a well-kept secret in the luxury travel world—but it’s not a novel new idea by any stretch.

The company set up shop in 2013 before beginning operations in Paris in 2014. Though the airline is small, it offers an extremely upscale air travel experience.

La Compagnie flies from either an Airbus A321neo or a Boeing 757-200. All seats are full-flat to allow passengers to literally unwind while 35,000 feet in the air.

Pets are allowed, meals are whipped up by Michelin-star chefs, and free, unlimited Wi-Fi is offered throughout the journey.

Routes are fairly limited, taking passengers from New York City (Newark) to Paris (Orly), Milan (Malpensa), or Nice (Côte d’Azur). And La Compagnie only offers round trips across the Atlantic, which start at $2,400 per passenger.

(For context, I regularly fly budget between Barcelona and Chicago—which usually costs around $700 with one layover.)

The business class-only experience

Those features mentioned above should paint a pretty accurate picture—La Compagnie goes above and beyond to curate an exclusive and exceptional flying experience.

But let’s dig into all the little details that actually make that $2,400 price tag feel high-value.

Its full-flat seats come with perks like anti-allergenic pillows, electrical outlets, and travel care kits from trusted brands like Caudalie. Every guest also gets noise-canceling headphones, along with a 15.6-inch screen all to themselves.

Then there’s that French gastronomy. Menus aren’t just from famous chefs like David Toutain and Yann Couvreur.

They’re curated, four-course meals that are designed to showcase the best in French culinary traditions. Most importantly, there’s a champagne wine cellar.

And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to features. (There’s a whole section of their website dedicated to pet care, for example.)

Is it like a semi-private airline?

La Compagnie is distinct from semi-private airlines in a few ways.

First, its scope is limited—and its team is dedicated. Despite its ten-year history, La Compagnie isn’t looking to grow at all costs. Instead, it’s looking to do what it does well.

Semi-private airlines, by contrast, tend to be more focused on growth.

Second, it’s French. That cultural element can be felt in the culinary offerings, along with the company’s emphasis on quality over growth. In other words, it’s highly boutique.

Third, La Compagnie offers private lounges for its flyers in each airport that it operates… but it doesn’t run from private airports like semi-private airlines do. That means that passengers aren’t treated to a private (and fast) security or customs experience.

That seems like a pretty big difference given La Compagnie is just as expensive as most semi-private airlines—especially considering it runs out of massive airports like Malpensa and Newark.

However, it’s in-plane offers are much more high-class, from the champagne cellar to the Michelin menus to the degree of personalized care.