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OCTOBER 24, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: HPANA
This past July fans of Harry Potter from around the world participated in the third annual HP Fan Trips, enjoying a trip on the Hogwarts Express and participating in an exclusive gala event at Edinburgh Castle. Next year's itinerary has just been announced and will include new locations where scenes from Order of the Phoenix were filmed. There will also be a VIP screening of the movie the week it is released in Edinburgh.
October 24, 2006 -- HP Fan Trips
announced today its 2007 summer Harry Potter tour packages designed by fans, for fans. Finely tuned and sporting exciting new additions, the group has demonstrated its success over the last four years at hosting the most comprehensive, fan-centric Potter tour on the market.
The 2007 packages, open to all fans worldwide, adds exciting new locations and activities as suggested by fans, guides and staff. "We've consistently been blown away by the response to these trips, and have taken every suggestion for improvement to heart," said Jeff Guillaume, one of HP Fan Trips' organizers and webmaster of award-winning Harry Potter fan site HPANA.com. "For 2007, these already amazing tours have been made even better by adding new elements from the filming of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It definitely reflects our ongoing commitment to be the premiere Harry Potter 'fan experience' tour."
Colorado tour company Beyond Boundaries Travel will once again whisk hundreds of fans into the very heart of JK Rowling's phenomenal series. A staple of HP Fan Trips is an exclusive ride on vintage steam locomotive #5972 Olton Hall, the very train used by Warner Bros. as the official "Hogwarts Express" in the Potter films.
The various itineraries feature visits to London, Oxford, Alnwick, The Highlands and Edinburgh. Two nights in the Highlands are included, where many backdrops for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were filmed. A built-in flight from London to Inverness shortens travel time and allows for a visit to Loch Ness, a must-see for most visitors to the region.
HP Fan Trips in the summer of 2007 will coincide with the theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as it continues to offer an unsurpassed glimpse into the fantasy and real-world elements of Harry Potter for the fourth straight year. Highlights include a VIP movie screening, an exclusive magical banquet and party at Edinburgh Castle, and the use of the entire hotel used by cast and crew in Glencoe (the Highlands) while they were shooting Goblet of Fire. Fans can even 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).
The tours are open to all Harry Potter fans worldwide and include separate, specialized packages for families, teens and adults.
"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 and its history."
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 26-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, Fodors, 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 $2,800! Go to here for instructions. Be sure to check out the totally revamped HP Fan Trips web site!
Reader Comments (161)
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Head Girl
Points: 425
Maggie_ says:
That would be great! I wish a could go =/
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:30 AM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
So much new information! It would be great to be involved with either the trip or the VIP screening. I know I won't be able to go, but good luck to all who do! Be sure to give reports!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 852
nejicanspin says:
I doubt that I will ever get to go. I must cost a lot though.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 10:12 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1812
Scilia Snape says:
I am definatley signing up for this one. Already informed the hubby that he'd be babysitting.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 10:46 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
It really sucks being stuck here in Trinidad! But hopefully by the time i make it to England, they will still be offering these tours. I don't care if it costs a lot ( but i better start saving from now)
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
Wow well it seems like a new trip is underway...I wish I could go - I bet it would be so kool to see where all the movies were made...I really hope I get to go one one oneday.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
Looks like it would be loads of fun!!!
I would love to go, but it's way too expensive!!! I wouldn't be able to afford that....:(....oh well....maybe when they have a better priced package for fans, not everyone is rich!!!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 1:10 PM EST
Hogwarts Founder
Points: 3481
Godric Gryffindor says:
That's is awsome, I'm so jealous! Wish i could do what they did =[
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 1:13 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
GeeMessy says:
A trip of dreams!
How I wish I could go, maybe with a little bit of saving and budgeting I could go, but I doubt it. Those who get to go will be so lucky
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 1:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
mount holyoke girl says:
I'd love to go but At the moment I do not feel rich enough to go to England! Ha ha. If only it was in US!!! I hope everyone that is going has a great time though.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 2:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 663
Blacksnake says:
Wow that sounds cool.. Have you been there before?
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 3:15 PM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Oooh! I could actualy go on that next year as im at a uni in Edinburgh now for the next 4 years :D woohoo! ANd if i cant go for money reasons i could still meet hpana people who are going to the edinburgh part of it on the side :D Get going guys! WOuld be amazing to go on one of those trips.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 3:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
*SkyHighandFallen says:
If only I were insanely rich and not a broke college student so I could actually go do something like this!!
Curse you, cruel world!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 3:57 PM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
Even if i could go, i couldn't afford it:(
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:02 PM EST
Head
Points: 401
katsirimus says:
Yes, I received an email about the coming trip a couple of weeks ago. It will be interesting. I have to make up my mind before Thanksgiving.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:09 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
Cool, it sounds interesting, i iwsh i could attend!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:19 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
Waiting for the Train says:
Hello all! I went on this trip (July 2006) and it was Awesome, everything the article says..and then some!! Don't worry about not knowing anyone, you will make new friends for a lifetime! Lots of adventures and even suprises - the scenery in Scotland is incredible - it truly was a once in a lifetime trip! Even met someone from Brazil on my trip - fans from literally all over.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:33 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1064
Ginny511 says:
That would be the coolioist thing ever i wish i could win.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:46 PM EST
Yoda's love child
Points: 3562
Dementywhatsit says:
Too bad I can't afford it. :(
Hopefully I'll be able to put enough money aside to go when Half-Blood Prince comes out on the screen. :p
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 5:31 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
AHHHH! i say this everytime but i would give my left arm to go on this! (i dont need it anways, im a rightie ;o))
but im already going to Europe AGAIN in March so yeeeeah theres no way i can go to this.
SUCKS BIG ONES!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 7:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 701
Kelly Ann Snape says:
That would be a blast. Oh, well I just can't wait until the movie comes out that's all.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 7:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 525
Draco'z Devil says:
It would be wonderful if I could go on one of these, but I don't have that kind of luck or money.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:26 PM EST
Princess of Fantasy
Points: 2538
magiclover13 says:
It sounds amazing, but I don't think I could go... :(
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 10:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 690
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
You gotta be joking!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god I could probably go, but i'm not that sure. I can imagine how wunderful would be to visit all those places.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 11:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
This trip sounds fantastic.
What I wouldn't give to be there.
going to go now and find out more about this tour.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 11:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1437
allilau says:
How fantastic! I've dreamnt many times of riding the Hogwarts express and it's great that the package caters to both young & old, families and friends. If I find myslef overseas next year, it's something I would definatley do!
Posted Oct 26, 2006 at 2:06 AM EST
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