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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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Auror
Points: 2081
kermittounette says:
I won't be going, i'm too much busy here but I wish I could do that, it seems so fun! I'm really gonna miss HP when it will be over!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 4:19 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9744
Heather Fowl says:
Wow, I would absolutely love to go on one of these trips! They seem like so much fun. =)
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 4:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1479
Newest Mrs. Weasley says:
I don't know if I could be surrounded by 100's of HP fans. I've grown accustomed to being one of a very few, I might go on sensory overload! But I'll have to consider this- it's so exciting!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 4:40 PM EST
Student
Points: 209
yugi900098 says:
Aww i cant go it costs about 2000 dollars for one person for scotland only wow!!!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 5:16 PM EST
Squib
Points: 128
vibrantlyVIVID says:
This is absalutely amazing! I would love to go visit the castle in Edinburgh. I should go one of these days, I only live a few hours away. =] Though, it would be simply amazing to go on that tour. wow. Its quite all impressive
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 5:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 987
crazywitch says:
These trips do sound really good but also expensive, Edinburgh castle is fantastic place though.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 5:32 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
YAY!!!!
That is so cool!!! I got an email like that a while ago though...heh
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 5:52 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1262
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Oh, that would be AMAZING!!!! That is pretty much the single greatest thing that could ever happen to me. Too bad we can't afford it. I would LOVE a chance like that!!! I guess I'll just have to try and win some contests.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 6:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1841
Remmy4193 says:
Oh geese, the people who get to go on that trip will have a great time i'm sure! I wish I could go and experience something like that.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 6:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
WitOfHermione says:
I wonder how much they cost. Im definetly inquiring! I really want to go!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 6:50 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Emma#1fan says:
OH MY GOSH sign me up ! thats like one of my biggest dreams!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 7:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
That would be so awsome! My mom would never let me go! She already payed for my trip to Hawaii and Mexico! Darn! I bet it tis going to be awsome!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 7:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 527
daniel_radcliffe_lover736 says:
I so wish that i could go on that after I pay $3,000 to go to Australia. Well when I go to Australia Dan will be there for the premiere of December Boys most likely! Well I wasnt to go so freaking bad!!!!!!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 7:31 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 459
hjgfan1 says:
That would be amazing, basically a dream trip.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 7:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1237
HeadmistressMcGonagall says:
That's actually been up for a couple of weeks now...but good for you HPANA for noticing!
My bad for not giving the news to you sooner.
HeadmistressMcGonagall
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 7:48 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 377
Michelle&Felicis:) says:
OH MY GOD i'm not gonna read everything but it sounds AWESOME
I'd love to go on a HP trip!!!
thanks
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:04 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3659
Anastasia Popovick says:
This kind of a vacation would certainly be my dream vacation!!! Now if I only had vacation time, a vacation fund, and a family that would be willing to join me.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1251
padfoot'sgirl says:
I am so bummed that there would be no possible way for me to do this. It sounds so cool!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
Man I wish I could go what rubbish.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:27 PM EST
Squib
Points: 186
FobeeOne says:
FYI...It sure is taking them a while to get back. I suppose they have a lot of inqueries.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:28 PM EST
Beautiful Disaster
Points: 7056
NarcissaBlackMalfoy says:
*Runs around in circles* Gahhh!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to this trip. This is like every Potter Fan'd Dream come true =] hahaha. <3
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 8:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
Angelina blu Johnson says:
I would so love to do that but its so much money!!!
Oh well! -_-
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 9:07 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4666
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
That sounds so awesome!!!!
~Drish~
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 9:12 PM EST
Half-Blood Princess
Points: 2875
Katie Bloom says:
Oh!!
That sounds really mazing!!! I want to go for the first time...ohh... I want to go to Oxford!!!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 9:18 PM EST
Student
Points: 267
Jamie*Owns*Your*FACE! says:
Ohhh Myyy Gosshhhh... Wow, that sounds like an ah-mazing trip! I would love love love to go on that, but hey, I just am to lazy to try! =]
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 9:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
RonsCrush says:
Wow! That sounds amazing. Even Harry Potter aside. (**gasp** Did I say that out loud?!?) I've always wanted to go to Scotland and England. I didn't even know these existed....i have my vacation all planned for next year, but maybe the next one....
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 9:49 PM EST
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