Ever Wondered About the Meaning Behind the Day of the Dead?

Today is Halloween, so I wish you a very happy Halloween!!

While researching this edition of the Expert’s Guild Weekly, I learned that Phil Lesh, bassist and founder of the Grateful Dead band, died this past week at age 84.

Their song, 'Touch of Grey,' advocates the benefits of persistence and tenacity in enduring life's ups and downs.

So, this edition of The Expert’s Guild Travel Journal will be better enjoyed while you listen to this song:

Anyway …

Halloween's thrilling mix of mystery, costume, and tradition emerges as October nights grow longer.

Around the world, people embrace the playful and eerie atmosphere, transforming everyday streets into scenes of magic and mischief.

From haunted houses and ghostly legends to elaborate masquerades and candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns, Halloween invites us to explore the supernatural and revel in the excitement of the unknown.

Halloween Around the World

Bran Castle, Romania

• Famous as Dracula's castle, Bran Castle hosts a Halloween party with costume contests and dancing amidst its historic and atmospheric setting.

Salem, Massachusetts

• Known for its witch trials, Salem hosts Haunted Happenings, a month-long festival featuring parades, ghost tours, and costume balls. The town transforms into a hub of spooky activities, drawing over half a million visitors each year.

Derry, Northern Ireland

• The Derry Halloween Festival is Europe's largest celebration. It features a street carnival parade and themed installations reflecting pagan traditions. The event culminates in spectacular fireworks over the River Foyle.

Prague

• Known for its rich history of the occult, Prague celebrates Halloween with ghost tours and storytelling events that use its gothic architecture to create an eerie atmosphere.

Yet, as the Halloween festivities close worldwide, Mexico comes alive with its unique celebration of memory and family: the Day of the Dead.

While Halloween revels in fantasy and fright, Día de los Muertos honors life and legacy, creating a warm, colorful tribute to loved ones who have passed.

Altars adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, and favorite foods bridge the living and the departed, blending remembrance with the joy of reunion.

The Day of the Dead, Mexico

Oaxaca

• Celebrations run from October 31 to November 2, featuring symbolic altars and public art.

• The city hosts lively parades known as comparsas, where locals and visitors alike participate in music and dance throughout the streets.

• Stay at Oaxaca City’s centro in Hotel Escondido Oaxaca.

• Indulge in authentic food from Oaxaca in Los Danzantes Oaxaca.

Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

• This town is famous for its Night of the Dead on November 1, where families gather in cemeteries adorned with candles and offerings.

• Contests for the most ornately decorated altars and traditional foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) enhance the atmosphere.

Janitzio, Michoacán

• An island in Lake Pátzcuaro, Janitzio, transforms into a visitor hub during Día de los Muertos.

• Events include candle-lit vigils at gravesides and fishermen performing a butterfly dance on the lake to attract souls.

Mexico City

• The capital features a grand parade filled with costumes, floats, and live music.

• Major celebrations occur in the Zócalo, where colorful altars are displayed alongside traditional dance performances.

• After the celebrations, sleep and rest in Casa Polanco, set in one of Mexico City's most upscale neighborhoods.

• Food is never a problem in Mexico City, but close by to Casa Polanco, you’ll find Pujol, #33 on this year's The Best 50 Restaurants

Yucatán

• Known for Hanal Pixan ("feast for the souls"), Merida hosts parades and culinary events that highlight local traditions.

• Celebrations include food offerings on altars and vibrant processions from cemeteries to churches.

• Stay at the fantastic CHABLÉ Yucatán Hotel.

• One of the best places to eat in Merida, according to The 50 Best List, Ku'uk

Halloween and the Day of the Dead invite us into a season rich with traditions—one celebrating the thrill of mystery, the other the beauty of memory.

This year, experience both and embrace the contrasting yet complementary ways we honor life, history, and those we hold dear.

DESTINATION Expert

Journey Mexico

Journey Mexico is a premier travel company specializing in creating authentic and immersive experiences throughout Mexico, particularly during significant cultural events like Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Check out the following itinerary and contact our friends at Journey Mexico, who will help you craft exactly what your clients need for a trip to Mexico.

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