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DECEMBER 1, 2005 at 10:35 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HP Fan Trips
In 2004, over 100 people
took a chance on the first-ever Harry Potter tour designed by fans. This past summer, that number doubled to over 200. Next year, HP Fan Trips will once again whisk hundreds of fans to the United Kingdom, with all-new, exciting features including a takeover of Edinburgh Castle for a private party!
December 1, 2005 -- HP Fan Trips released today its international 2006 summer tour programs for Harry Potter fans. Building on the success of its trips in 2004 and 2005, the group has secured more exclusive experiences for fans in 2006, including a private party at Edinburgh Castle, in the same rooms used during the launch of JK Rowling's sixth book.
Colorado company Beyond Boundaries Travel will once again operate the tour, which includes an exclusive ride on vintage steam locomotive #5972 Olton Hall, the very train used in the Warner Bros. films as the official "Hogwarts Express."
"We've really tailored this year's program by listening to past trip participants' feedback," said Jeff Guillaume, one of HP Fan Trips' organizers and webmaster of Harry Potter fan site HPANA.com. "It definitely reflects our ongoing commitment to be the premiere Harry Potter 'fan experience' tour."
Highlights for 2006 include an exclusive magical banquet and party, as HP Fan Trips takes over Edinburgh Castle and the entire hotel used by cast and crew in Glencoe (the Highlands). Fans can take part in an exciting drawing for the chance to stay in the actual rooms used by Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy).
An all-new itinerary features visits to Oxford, Alnwick and Edinburgh. Two nights in the Highlands have been added, where many backdrops for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were filmed. Another feature is a built-in flight from London to Inverness which shortens travel time and allows for a visit to Loch Ness, a must-see for most visitors.
The tours are open to all Harry Potter fans worldwide and include specialized, separate choices for families, teens and adults.
"Naturally, we go to locations in London, Oxford and Scotland that appear in the films," said Guillaume. "But we also give fans a chance to experience the very real connection to British culture that influences JK Rowling's stories, by exploring the United Kingdom."
Top international Harry Potter fan sites have offered their support for this unique experience, including the Harry Potter Automatic News Aggregator (HPANA), MuggleNet, DanRadcliffe.com, FictionAlley, Harry Potter Fan Zone and others. The web sites for these organizations have loyal readers in more than 83 countries with over 45,000,000 hits per month.
About HP Fan Trips
HP Fan Trips debuted in June 2004 after a year of planning by Jeannie Barresi of Beyond Boundaries Travel; Jeff Guillaume, a 25-year-old programmer and creator of Harry Potter news site HPANA.com; and Heidi Tandy, an intellectual property lawyer and co-founder of fan site FictionAlley.org. HP Fan Trips has since been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Frommer's, New Zealand Herald, Malaysian Star and other international media.
About Beyond Boundaries Travel
Since 1991, Beyond Boundaries Travel has designed special interest group travel. It is an international tour company working with fandom web sites, The History Channel, the World Bank, the United Nations, the National Institutes of Health and other organizations. Beyond Boundaries works with a wide variety of suppliers to create uniquely themed experiences for their exceptional clients.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Jeannie Barresi
TEL: +1 800-487-1136 (U.S.)
TRIP INQUIRIES: Contact online
http://www.hpfantrips.com/contact/
WEBMASTERS:
By supporting and promoting this year's tours (absolutely free), we will happily link back to your site as a way of saying thanks. Plus, by referring 25 people, you get a free trip valued at up to $2,600! Go to here for instructions.
Be sure to check out the totally revamped HP Fan Trips web site !
Reader Comments (197)
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Dan Radcliffe's Lovah
Points: 8781
JaDa Radcliffe says:
Oh, my gosh!! That is wonderful news!! Gotta check that out! It's a once-in-a-lifetime event.. So cool!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 10:47 AM EST
Beauty Princess
Points: 6008
H.R.H Queen of Gossip says:
This is so cool!!!! I want to go too!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 10:49 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 12
mz_malfoy123 says:
I.....Must.....Go!!!!!
Sounds.....So.....Fun!!!!!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 10:51 AM EST
Gutter Girl Fabulous
Points: 8730
SamhainWitch7 says:
Oh man what I wouldn't do to go on that trip! It would be SO COOL! Maybe if I start saving my pennies now I can go... I really wish I could! I want to see all those places so badly!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:00 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
That sounds awesome! I would love to go on one of those trips!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:04 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 26
IluvEmmaWatson says:
Gotta check that out! that would be so cool to go on one! but i don't have enough money :-(
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:05 AM EST
Emma's Soulmate
Points: 3393
I_Love_Emma_Watson says:
Oh man what I wouldn't do to go on that trip! It would be SO COOL! Maybe if I start saving my pennies now I can go... I really wish I could! I want to see all those places so badly!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:12 AM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
*DIES* Ahhh.. That would be so awesome to go.. but it's my luck I never win.. I envy the people who actually win. Be cool if I met Gary :-)
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:14 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
That sounds like so much fun. I would love to go to see all of those sights.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1483
DragonTattoo says:
Oh my God that is the most awesome thing ever and I want to go...But my parents would say NO, but then again by then id be in college so really they cant stop me... MWAHAHA
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:21 AM EST
Slytherin's Golden Locket
Points: 7863
Lady oF Shadows says:
Ooooh wooooow that sounds fab ! i love the castles in scotland, thats the only reason i got there ! Im going to Uk in about 2 weeks so YAY and hope everyone in HPANA goodluck ;)
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:34 AM EST
canon
Points: 2575
gaea says:
This would be so much fun to particpate in, but, is it free, alas, no...
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:39 AM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
That looks so good, i want to go.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
This sounds so cool. I want to go.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:52 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
The trips sound like they just get better and better. It would be a lot of fun to go and see all the Harry Potter related stuff. Wish I could get the time.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:52 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1237
HeadmistressMcGonagall says:
I want to go! I'd win the drawings, I know I would, seriously!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 11:52 AM EST
Emma's Soulmate
Points: 3393
I_Love_Emma_Watson says:
The trips sound like they just get better and better. It would be a lot of fun to go and see all the Harry Potter related stuff. Wish I could get the time.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 290
Molinex says:
I need to go! But, the drawings said me at the end... "Please enter a message, silly!"... What should i do?
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2164
Prydwen says:
O.M.G O.M.G that sounds sooooooo cool! That is the ultimate Harry Potter experience, and I really want to go on it.
L.O.L, I wonder what my parents' reactions will be when they hear me asking whether I can go or not! Well... worth a try!!!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:08 PM EST
Student
Points: 290
Molinex says:
Yes, i want to go, but to win the trip, who i do it? Just put my name and that? Please! Anyone answer me! PLEASE!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:13 PM EST
Witch
Points: 821
Leeloomina says:
That does sound nice... However, I wonder if there is the same thing for French Harry Potter fans ? I guess the best way to know that is not to hang around english-speaking websites!!! L0L!!!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 741
Emily Radcliffe says:
Cool! Deffo going to look into going..depends when it is though!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:17 PM EST
Dark Mark Caster
Points: 7648
FireboltFlyr says:
Oh wow that's awesome! It would be totally sweet to go there! I'm totally going to check that out, and hope that I get to go! I can't wait for book 7... sad, but it's going to be exciting!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:19 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
Thats the best news so far!!!That would be so cool.
I want to go!!!
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:21 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
That castle should be SO awesome inside!! It should be really big too.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:22 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
MWeasley09 says:
i wanna go I WANNO GO I WANNA GO! :D
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 12:25 PM EST
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