Face Your Fears! 8 Frightfully Fun Experiences

During your free time in Palermo, you may choose to visit the city’s haunting Capuchin Catacombs. The Capuchin Friars, established in 1534, created this cemetery and mass grave, but by 1597, had run out of room. When expanding the grave, the friars dug into caves behind their main altar, and once the new site had been excavated, decided to move all the previously buried brothers there as well. In doing so, they discovered that 45 bodies had been naturally mummified—to such a degree that it was thought to be an act of God.

These bodies were displayed in niches along the new cemetery as relics. After this, fascination with mummification grew, and the friars decided to display the bodies of any who could afford embalming. Even the “World’s most Beautiful Mummy,” the body of two-year-old Rosalia Lombardo from 1920 (pictured above), can be found in these halls—so well preserved, she looks as if she’s asleep. This underground gravesite is now a testament to Sicilian mummification practices, and the catacombs are open for any who are curious enough to enter!

Take a leap of faith in New Zealand and dive headfirst into a new experience. Queenstown, located in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island, is a place of adventure. Known as the birthplace of modern bungee jumping, there are plenty of locations to try this thrilling activity while surrounded by lush forests and crystal blue waters. Wherever you choose, bungee jumping in Queenstown is sure to be unforgettable, as you jump among snow-capped mountains and breathtaking views—while having your breath taken by the fall! Whether you choose to jump from 150 feet or 450 feet, this adventure will have you rising—or falling—to new heights.

Take a look at some creepy crawlers in Cambodia. Depending on her availability, on this trip you may be able to visit a local woman in Siem Reap with a unique profession: tarantula hunting. A typical workday for her starts by going into surrounding forests to hunt for tarantulas. When she’s caught some, she cooks them and brings them to her village’s market to sell. If she’s available, she’ll teach us about her routines, her daily life, and how to hunt for these spiders. We’ll even get the opportunity to trek into the forest with her and hunt for some tarantulas ourselves!

Perhaps some of the most famous in the world, the Paris Catacombs contain the remains of more than six million people. This extensive tunnel system from the 18th century, built in former quarries, spans over 200 miles and stretches 20 meters deep—about as deep as a five-story building is tall. They were created when public health problems led to a surplus of bodies and a lack of room to store them. The municipal ossuary of the catacombs is one of the largest in the world, with sprawling walls of rows of femurs and skulls, and is perhaps the most well-known feature of this centuries-old site. In your free time in Paris, perhaps you’ll brave these haunted, history-rich halls.

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, though remade since, has existed in Northern Ireland since 1775—and this daring passage is sure to thrill even the most adventurous of travelers. Created to facilitate salmon fishing, this 66-foot-long bridge hangs almost 100 feet off cold coastal waters and is only about three feet wide. The name “Carrick-a-Rede” comes from a Scottish-Gaelic term, “Carraig a’ Ráid,” which translates to “The Rock in the Road,” as the island the bridge sways from was once an obstacle to migrating salmon. Nowadays, as the salmon population no longer travels under the bridge, it has become a thrilling escapade for travelers. Though the bridge itself takes only about a minute to cross, the height sure can be frightening—but rest assured, the bridge is now reinforced with wire rope. In your free time in Ireland, gaze out at scenic ocean views while crossing this daring passage.

Jumping off the Mostar bridge in Bosnia & Herzegovina is a tradition that dates back to 1664. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bridge has been around since 1557, though the original was destroyed in the Croat-Bosniak war in 1993. Since then, it’s been rebuilt and in 2004 was reopened to the public. Towering about 80 feet over the Neretva River, the bridge is now a site of a diving tradition, where skilled locals take the plunge. The Mostari diving club charges 25 euros for anyone willing to brave the high jump, but it’s said that any tourist who successfully dives, is free to jump again for the rest of their lives…

On our Eastern Europe to the Black Sea River Cruise, you can choose to travel with a post-trip extension to Transylvania, Romania. It was in Transylvania that the infamous Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III Dracula, was born. Vlad was a prince and later the ruler of Wallachia, known for his cruelty and brutal treatment of his enemies. A rumor states that Vlad once dipped his bread into the blood of his impaled victims. Does this choice of cuisine sound familiar? Because of his brutalism and bloody habits, centuries later, author Bram Stoker connected Vlad’s name with vampirism—and Count Dracula was born. Discover the historic and haunted history of this classic vampire legend in Transylvania…if you dare.

If you find yourself in Arouca, Portugal, on our optional tour and looking for a thrill, be sure to take a walk across the 516 Arouca Bridge. Known as the world’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge, this feat of engineering is around 1,700 feet long and 575 feet high. Though it sounds frightening, the bridge hangs over the blue hued Paiva River and boasts views of the UNESCO Arouca Geopark—a once in a lifetime sight. Look out at mountain valleys and thickly forested green landscapes while watching the water rush below you. If you find it in yourself to traverse this sky-high bridge, you’ll be rewarded with the stunning scenery.