For some reason, October seems to bring out the weird and wonderful in many of us. Perhaps it's because Halloween is so close, or maybe it's because our local landscapes change daily as leaves fall and days grow shorter.
This year, I've noticed quite a few unusually-themed vacation packages. They don't all take place this month, but they're all definitely on the weird side.
The city of Baltimore celebrates the bicentennial of Edgar Allan Poe's death this week with a lavish "funeral" for the famed author and poet. An all-night vigil takes place this Thursday, with the funeral parade and service - well, two funeral services - on Sunday, October 11. The funeral is a tickets-only event, but many of the related activities are free and open to the public.
In April 2012, the MS Balmoral will commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic by re-creating the doomed ocean liner's itinerary - minus iceberg, we hope. The Balmoral will follow the exact route the Titanic took, pause for a memorial service at the site of the ship's collision and continue across the Atlantic to Halifax, NS and New York City. Balmoral leaves Southampton, UK, on April 8, 2012. Reservations are being taken now.
For even more weirdness, take a trip based on the popular book Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Several hotels around the country are participating in the Discover Weird US Getaway package, which includes a copy of the book, breakfast for two and a guide to the weirdest local spots in your destination city.
I took this photo at the All-Wetter Zoo in Münster, Germany. This "all-weather" zoo is filled with whimsical sculptures.
Photo © Nancy Parode