Credit: drstout

My son is fascinated by the ghost-buster shows. He likes to be creeped out. I tend to like local culture and have a minor fascination with architecture, so I like to go places that have a history, but my tastes are eclectic, and I would find something to enjoy almost anywhere. I draw the line at sleeping on the ground, camping, for me, is not an option. Aside from that, I’d love anything from a safari on the Serengeti to a hotel on Broadway.

For our next vacation, I’m planning a trip that will fire on all cylinders. New Orleans is one potential destination. For local flavor, New Orleans can’t be beat. It has a rich and colorful history, exotic food that you simply can’t get better anywhere else, and unrivaled ghost stories. We’re considering a stay at the 1891 Castle Inn of New Orleans, in the heart of the Garden District, minutes away from the French Quarter. Many people don’t realize that these areas were not heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The entire area is still largely intact, and from its historic houses to its atmospheric graveyards, the spirit of New Orleans lives on.

The Castle Inn is a charming bed and breakfast said to have two ghosts. The resident ghost, seen frequently by both guests and staff, was a horse carriage driver who died more than 100 years ago by suffocating during a smoky fire.  Many people have reported a “translucent man” seen reflected in mirrors or glimpsed from the corner of an eye. He often makes his presence known by turning things on and off: televisions, radios, ceiling fans and lights. He also likes to hide things. One guest found all the receipts from her trip moved from her husband’s wallet to inside the microwave! The second ghost is that of a little girl in a white dress, who drowned in a pond when the Inn was still a plantation. She is more of a neighborhood spirit, and wanders the entire area in search of her mother. She likes to turn water off and on and jump on the beds, and the pitter-patter of little bare feet running in the hallways is a familiar sound.

My husband would find New Orleans to be gastronomic heaven, up to his ears in gumbo, jambalaya, crawdads, and meat pies. I must confess, I love a good crawfish Etouffee, ladled generously over a serving of fried catfish…and red beans with spicy Andouille sausage are culinary ecstasy for me – thank goodness Mom taught me how to make that!

If my 21-year-old daughter happens to join us, she’s pretty easy to please, she likes the nightlife and New Orleans is a legendary party town. It’s just one of those destinations that offers something for almost everyone. It ranks pretty high on the list for potential trips, but we’re also considering Puerto Rico, San Diego and the Stanley Hotel in Rocky Mountains – the inspiration for Stephen King’s book “The Shining”. I wonder if Colorado has regional cuisine…well, more on those later. We’re in no hurry to decide.

I’d love to hear your suggestions for a haunted vacation with some real local flavor!

1. Punta Caracol

In Panama, there’s a place where you can live amongst nature, watch dolphins come up to your veranda, and take a walk through a nearby rain forest. This place is Punta Caracol. It’s one of those luxurious resorts you can stay at without feeling bad about yourself. Case in point, the roofs of the villas are made with palm leafs. The walls are made of a mixture of bamboo and clay. In addition to this, the villas are powered by solar energy. You don’t have to worry about leaving too much of a carbon footprint when staying here. Rates start at $316.

2. Oberoi Udaivilas

If you’re read my blogs before, you know that I’m a big fan of the Oberoi chain. This brand is exquisite luxury that’s so affordable. I love the Oberoi Udaivilas because of its illusions. It isn’t a floating hotel in the technical sense, but the architecture and design of this hotel make it look as if it is floating over water. Absolutely captivating. Staying here makes you feel like a Indian royal. Gorgeously appointed furnishings, semi-private splash pools, and the awe-inspiring scenery of northern India make this a definite hotel for the list. Rates start at $520.

3. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa

Four syllables inspire me to believe in a better world, and they are “Bora Bora.” Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to go to this island of paradise. The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is located on its own island, Motu Toopua, about 1 mile away from Bora Bora proper. It features 44 floating bungaloos, with a magnificent view of Mt. Otemanu. This resort is a certified romantic getaway. If you can’t feel romantic on Bora Bora, you are asexual. Rates start at $680.

4. Soneva Gili

I debate on which is better– Bora Bora or the Maldives. They\’re both slices of heaven on earth. Which do you think is better? At Soneva Gili, 45 villas are suspended on stilts. This resort also features 7 villas, called Crusoe Residences, that are only accessible by rowing boat. Talk about privacy! Of course, you may want to brush up on your swimming skills before booking a night here. Rates start at $1366.

5. King Pacific Lodge

Rounding off the list is Canada’s finest floating hotel, the King Pacific Lodge. This place is amazingly secluded. Only opened from May to October each year, with just 17 suites available, you can rest assured that reservations for this place are tight. This floating lodge is situated on Princess Royal Island, in British Columbia, and is 150 miles away from the nearest road. You can only reach this destination by boat-plane. Once there, enjoy fly-fishing, kayaking, hiking, and lots of quiet time.This place is astronomically high, but for that type of privacy, it may be worth it. Rates start at $4,724 for 3 nights in the Wilderness View Room to $27,850 for 7 nights in the Princess Royal Suite.

Which one of these is your favorite?