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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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Witch
Points: 613
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
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
How totally exciting. I'd love to take part in the tour. I know that my kids would love it.
Plus, by referring 25 people, you get a free trip valued at up to $2,800!
Good luck Webmasters! Looks like you could be in for a holiday soon.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
Cool, I now whoever will get to go will have a great time.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
Wow, I really doubt I could get 25 people, but you never know! That would be the most awesome trip possible for me though!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:28 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
Oh how I wish I could be part of this. Unfortunately with my hubby serving God knows where and returning only God knows when I probably won't get to do this.
It sounds so fun. A friend of mine went this year and she had a wonderful time. I am still jealous, hehe.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
WoW!Here we go again....too bad I can't go.How I wish I could be there and experience that thrill and happiness.Life really sucks.But...maybe next time I have the time and money I could have the chance to go.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:45 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 333
corbinbleuz4me says:
How do you join the trip thingy, I read the article but I can't seem to find it.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:48 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1042
MissusGamgee says:
I must save my pennies! I must save my pennies!
I would love to go on one of these trips some day!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
It seems like a lot of money but i think it is worth the trip of a life time!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2945
Ariana Dumbledore says:
Wow, I wish I could afford to go on one of those. =( Ah well, maybe in the future!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:21 AM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Wow! That sounds so cool! Too bad I can't afford to go on those trips. Maybe some pictures will come up online.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:22 AM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4614
marauderette says:
These always sound interesting, I just have never been able to go. The downside of being a poor college student
-_- It must be awesome, though, to see all the sights of the HP movies.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:23 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
This sounds really awesome. I think it would be fun to see all the places mentioned in the HP books. And it doesn't sound that awfully expensive either, which is a good thing. What would be awesome, would be if there was some sort of contest where a few lucky winners could win a trip.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:46 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
Oh, I can't wait to go. My husband and I are planning a European trip for our 10 year anniversary and Harry Potter tour is the main thing we want to do.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:53 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
I wanna go!!! I wanna go!!! This is so cool... But.. $$$$... It does seems very expensive... Oh well! Have fun
~MP~
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 1:22 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
(is now actually drooling) Oh gee mommy can I go?
I would so beyond love to gon on this, really I would.
It sounds way cool.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 1:36 AM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
That sounds so cool!! I wish I could go on one of those trips. one day I will go, but for now I can only dream about going.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 2:53 AM EST
Witch
Points: 686
StormbreakerGirl says:
Ooh I would love to o that! It would be so cool!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 3:04 AM EST
St. Mungo's little helper
Points: 2466
Manfred says:
Oh... that would be sooooo cool...
Though, I think it'll be quite expensive... so no trip for me *buhu*
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 3:40 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 401
Beruthiel says:
Oh, how I'd love to do this trip. But I havn't got the money and I still don't know where I'm working next year. But it sounds as if the tours will continue, so perhaps the year after? *sigh*
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:18 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1867
Silver_Lining says:
Those trips sound really cool! I'd love to go on one.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 4:19 AM EST
Little Morning Star
Points: 2830
Nellas Telrúnya-Took says:
I would gladly carve my heart out and hand it to the devil himself on a silver platter if it meant I could go on that.
It'll never happen, but man, I can dream... And I will.
That's a long article, isn't it? They're not usually that long...
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 7:47 AM EST
Squib
Points: 161
Boxee says:
Thats so cool. Too bad I won't be able to take the tour.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 8:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 629
Melde says:
well, good for you! I wish somethings like that could happen here in Scandinavia.. really boring. It's all happening in Great brittain and Usa.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:06 AM EST
Student
Points: 284
Slytherin Angel says:
Amazing! I am going to go:) even if its alot of money:) Somehow! It sounds so cool!
~Samantha
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:30 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 425
Maggie_ says:
That would be great! I wish a could go =/
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 9:30 AM EST
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