HP Fan Trips covered in 'Muggles and Magic'

  January 11, 2006 at 10:13 AM ET
  Cheeser     HPANA
  harry potter tours, harry potter tour london, harry potter edinburgh, harry potter oxford


George Beahm's recent book Muggles and Magicopens in new window contains an entire chapter about HP Fan Tripsopens in new window, covering the 2004 and 2005 trips in detail and including several pictures by Catherine Collins, who went on the trips and works for various fan sites. Several of the 2006 tours are already more than 50% full.

Here's some updated news about the trips:

HP Fan Trips 2006 bookings past 50%

January 11, 2006 -- HP Fan Tripsopens in new window announced today that several of the 2006 HP Fan Trips tours are already more than 50% full.

"We believe this success is due to the exciting and exclusive opportunities HP Fan Trips offers Harry Potter fans," said Jeff Guillaume, one of HP Fan Trips' organizers and webmaster of Harry Potter fan site HPANA.com. "One of the staple characteristics of these tours is our ability to feature activities and locations that are not generally open to individuals and smaller groups."

While there are many look-alike packages on the market, HP Fan Trips is the only program which includes the actual train featured in the Harry Potter movies and offers other exclusive elements to create the premiere Harry Potter "fan experience" tour. In the latest publication of Muggles and Magic by George Beahm, HP Fan Trips was singled out as the "package of choice" for Harry Potter fans. It has also been highlighted by respected travel guides in the New York Times, Frommer's and Fodors.

"Fans can only be assured to receive the quality and exclusive experiences which have become a hallmark of the HP Fan Trips programs when they book with us," said Jeannie Barresi, owner of Beyond Boundaries Travelopens in new window, the official operator of the tours.

Another "budget" Harry Potter-themed trip was recently announced, causing some confusion in the online fandom. While earnest in intent, the misrepresentation of the use of the Hogwarts Express troubled HP Fan Trips' operators and even the owner of the train itself.

  • HP Fan Trips is the only Harry Potter-themed tour that offers rides on Olton Hall #5972, the train featured in the movies
  • HP Fan Trips is the only Harry Potter-themed tour renting out Edinburgh Castle to host a private party
  • HP Fan Trips is the only Harry Potter-themed tour that includes limited edition wands for fans
  • HP Fan Trips is the only Harry Potter-themed tour which has exclusive use for two nights of the entire hotel in Glencoe where cast and crew of Goblet of Fire stayed
  • HP Fan Trips is the only Harry Potter-themed tour created by true fans, for true fans

Guests from previous years have rated these trips as an exceptional value. MaryAnn from California wrote: "We were actually surprised at all we received for the tour price." Another happy fan reported: "It was worth every penny."

Now in its third year, HP Fan Trips continues to lead the "fan tour" experience space, tailoring its programs based directly on feedback from participants. Highlights for 2006 include a ride on the Olton Hall #5972 steam engine and carriages used in all of the Potter films, as well as an exclusive magical banquet and party at Edinburgh Castle, where JK Rowling launched the sixth book with great fanfare. HP Fan Trips is also reserving the entire hotel used by cast and crew in Glencoe (the Highlands) for 3 of the tour programs. 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).

Visit www.hpfantrips.comopens in new window for full details and to make your reservations for this summer.

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