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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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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1228
Hermy-ninny Granger says:
That is seriously the coolest trip ever. If I wasn't a full time student I would totally go for it. Plus its kinda hard for me to get overseas.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:43 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 346
Order_Member_#1 says:
Dang!I wish i could go!anyhow,oh well.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:51 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
Man, I would SO love to take one of these trips. There are sure to be some awesome spots to see and I would just be fun to chat with some other HP fans too! :o)
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:52 AM EST
Points: 8027
deemz says:
I wish i could go :(, it would be really cool if i could though.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:54 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
Ohh I wish I could go on an HP trip!! One day I will!!! Its just expensive beacause I live in Canada. Boo hoo!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 10:56 AM EST
Squib
Points: 138
Hermy* says:
I wanted to go =( Grr.... it's like a dream... ='(
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
I don't see what excitment there is to sleep in a room someone else slept in. I mean, that's what hotels all over do, isn't it? And seeing sites is interesting, but I don't think these tours would be all that fascinating. I enjoy the books and movies, but to me, this is just kind of out there.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:04 AM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2755
Dobby says:
One day I WILL go on one of these Fan Trips. The seem really neat.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:06 AM EST
Witch
Points: 797
magically delicious says:
AAAAGGGGG I wish I could do this!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:08 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
bubblegum says:
Thats ssounds cool i dont kown how much english £'s that is but sound expensive :(
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1454
musician says:
Does seem pretty cool... Oh well, I think if you go with friends who are also pottermaniacs then it could be really good, but i don't have any friends like that...
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
Interesting, I think the private screening of OOtP and the banquet in the Great Hall would be fun! I wonder if anyone from HPANA has/will go on one of these trips? If so, I would like to hear what they thought about it.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:18 AM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
Wow, I'd really love to go to that! Pity I can't- but have fun to whoever goes!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:19 AM EST
Headmaster
(Moderator)
Cheeser says:
Veela~Girl - I've been on every single one! ;)
They really are something special. Doesn't get old even year after year.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:20 AM EST
Witch
Points: 692
~Remember Snape~ says:
That would be an awesome trip to go on. I want to someday but I don't think I'll ever get the chance, but it's nice to dream.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:22 AM EST
Harry’s Egg, Dan’s Duck
Points: 4742
Pearl* says:
Wow! That sounds pretty awesome! Everybody going will be sure to have a spiffing time! ^_^ Bon Voyage!
(but gosh, 45,000,000 hits a month? That's amazing!)
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
That would be an awesome trip to go on! I really hope that i will be able to go one day!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:29 AM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
The scheduling for this sounds really awesome! I would LOVE to do this trip one day!! OH wow! Someday. . .
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:30 AM EST
Bertie Bott's Best Bean
Points: 2941
lavender_07 says:
OOH!!! id so love to go for that...but...im in ireland! does anyone know if there is anything like this for us irish?
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:42 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
Hey Cheeser : )
Thanks for the feedback. I know what you mean, I don't know how anything HP related could get old for me! I always thought the tours looked fun, but I hadn't heard any word (good or bad) so I was a bit unsure. Now that they have received the stamp of approval though, I'd consider checking one out. Thanks.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:51 AM EST
Points: 1
Window says:
This trip sounds great! Riding the #5972 Olton Hall train and partying at Edinburgh Castle would be a dream come true! Can't wait to go!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:54 AM EST
Student
Points: 235
accio_gorgeous_girl says:
I know this trip, would be great, but I'm sure i can't go, because it's impossible. It would need a big amount of money! It's really expensive!! Just how much Phil peso value nowadays to English currency, oh my... Well, good luck to those who can come, I'm sure you'll gonna have a great time!
peace out.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 11:54 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Fantastic itinerary. It seems that these get better and better, and the reports are always glowing. It would be a lot of fun to take these trips.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 12:00 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 701
cmenges says:
This seems like a DREAM COME TRUE vacation. I know I wont be able to make it BUT I am sure SOMEONE will post from the trip... I HOPE... I HOPE.....I HOPE.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 12:39 PM EST
The Usual Suspect
Points: 3421
Orchid says:
Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing, I would love to go on one of them.
But I guess I have to wait until it suits my pay check!!!
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 1:02 PM EST
rockstar
Points: 2857
Harry_J Potter says:
That wuld be so fun.. I doubt I'd be abe to go, but it would be amazing.. I want to go to Scotland so bad! =P
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 1:18 PM EST
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