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Beyond Boundaries Travel VisitBritain


London/Scotland
"Family" Trip

July 15-23, 2008 · 9 days/8 nights
$3099 per person (dbl occupancy) plus airfare
Single Supplement: $600

Available Discount:
Child (12 & Under) traveling with 2 adults, sharing room
1ST CHILD: $400 discount, 2nd CHILD: $400 discount

This itinerary has been specially designed with families in mind. This tour offers an exciting exploration of London, the Scottish Highlands, Alnwick Castle and Edinburgh through the eyes of Harry Potter, ghosts and goblins and legends of this land which have inspired writers for centuries. From the journey on a one-of-a-kind vintage steam train to knock-your-socks-off exclusive banquets at Edinburgh Castle, you're sure to be enchanted with this "kingdom."

Included:

  • Eight nights accommodations at 3 and 4-star hotels including hotel used by cast and crew in Glencoe
  • Transfer from Oxford to Highlands of Scotland
  • Daily services of a Professional Guide
  • Exclusive use of Edinburgh Castle for a "Hogwarts"-style Banquet including
    • Meet MuggleNet.com VIP Jamie Lawrence, co-author of New York Times Bestseller, "MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7?"
    • Entertainment in Crown Square
    • Private tours of exhibition areas
  • Ride in the train carriages used as the “Hogwarts Express” in the filming of the HP Movies
  • Professional Storyteller for portions of the trip
  • Panoramic tour of London
  • Coach tour of London area Harry Potter film locations
  • Coach tour of London Harry Potter film locations including Scavenger Hunt
  • Herbology lesson at The Old Operating Theatre
  • Cruise on the Thames (as seen in the 5th movie)
  • Choice of Hike to Film Locations or alternative activity
  • Admissions to Alnwick Castle including lunch
  • HP Fan Trips' Wizarding Game, inspired by Harry's favorite sport, at Alnwick - site of flying lessons in HP movie
  • 15 meals: Breakfast daily, three lunches, four dinners including "Hogwarts"-style banquet at Edinburgh Castle
  • Pajama party
  • Transfers as noted on itinerary
  • Baggage Handling
  • Gratuities to Driver
  • Limited Edition Alivan's wands

July 15 (Day One) - Arrive in London, Orientation and Welcome Dinner

Meals - Dinner
Lodging - 3-star London Hotel

Your adventure begins upon your arrival in Heathrow or Gatwick Airport. Included in your tour is a Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express train ticket – travel at your convenience to the Heathrow express terminal in Paddington Station or the Gatwick Express terminal at Victorial Station. We will gather in the afternoon for an Orientation, and distribute final documents. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner together getting to know our travel companions for the trip.

July 16 (Day Two) - Panoramic London Tour, Scavenger Hunt, Pub Lunch, Old Operating Theatre

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging - 3-star London Hotel

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace

After breakfast we begin our morning with a wonderful panoramic tour of London. Included in the tour are the historic and famous sights of London as well as a specially crafted HP Scavenger Hunt through London in search of Harry Potter film locations. After an enjoyable lunch at a pub resembling "The Leaky Cauldron," we will head over to the Old Operating Theatre for a fan favorite - a herbology lesson in the herb garret and Museum.

The coach will return us to the hotel where you may enjoy dinner at your leisure.

July 17 (Day Three) - Cruise the Thames, Explore London!

Meals - Breakfast
Lodging - 3-star London Hotel

Platform 9 3/4
Platform 9 3/4

We'll begin our day at a leisurely pace before heading out for a cruise on the Thames. Part of the filming for Order of the Phoenix has Harry and friends pursued by their adversaries down the Thames, passing many of the most famous sites in London. Spend your afternoon on your own for more sightseeing, or sample the fabulous shopping that London offers. Dinner on your own.

July 18 (Day Four) - Travel North to the Scottish Highlands

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging - 4-star Glencoe Hotel (where the cast & crew stayed!)

View from Isle of Glenco Hotel
View from Isle of Glenco Hotel

Your transfer is included to the beautiful Scottish Highlands which is full of romance, mystery and many Harry Potter filming locations. You will enjoy the beauty and charm of the Highlands and its people as we travel to our next magical destination on your HP 2008 tour. Lunch is included. Early evening arrival into Fort William, Scotland.

Your hotel in Fort William was the choice of Warner Bros. for cast and crew during filming of the Harry Potter movies in The Scottish Highlands. Beautiful scenery, quiet location, absolutely perfect location!

July 19 (Day Five) - Hike Steall Falls, a day of movie locations in the Highlands, Pajama Party

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging - 4-star Glencoe Hotel

Hike to Steall falls
Hike to Steall Falls

Stretch your legs and get ready for our morning hike to Steall Falls, the site of the dragon scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This is a beautiful hike taking approximately one to one and a half hours each way from the trail head to the Falls. (We strongly recommend "light hiking boots" for this activity.) After reaching the Falls, there are plenty of opportunities for photos, having a snack break, perhaps even crossing the short wire bridge to get a closer look at the Falls. After returning to the trailhead, the hiking group will travel to the Glenfinnan Viaduct for some wonderful photos of the viaduct which is prominently featured in the Harry Potter films. Glencoe will be our last stop today where we can take a walk up the hill which was host to "Hagrid's Hut," pumpkins and magical creatures. You might want to stop in at the Inn directly across the road from the filming location – surely the cast and crew had more than a few pints at this charming location while working on the film. Have a drink, or if space permits, lunch at this friendly Inn best known for its award-winning local brews.

Ben Nevis Distillery
Ben Nevis Distillery

For those not taking the hike to Steall Falls, the morning will include a visit to the filming location of "Hagrid's Hut" and the pumpkin/"Hippogriff" scenes in Prisoner of Azkaban. Take a short walk up the hill to where the buildings and other props were built and get a view of beautiful Glencoe as the actors did. (Props are no longer on the site.) Afternoon activities for those not doing the Steall Falls hike include a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery, and a short visit to Old Inverlochy Castle and then a visit to some more filming locations (this area is rich in Harry Potter filmography!).

End your day with a magnificent dinner at the hotel (included) and then get ready for a Pajama Party with lots of exciting activities!

July 20 (Day Six) - Ride on the Olton Hall, Engine #5972

Meals - Breakfast
Lodging - 4-star Edinburgh Hotel

Carriages going over the viaduct
Carriages going over the viaduct

Enjoy sleeping in today as we have a late start this morning. Arrive at the train depot by 9:30 a.m. for a magical journey in the train carriages used as the “Hogwarts Express” in the filming of the HP Movies! Travel through the Highlands, take loads of pictures, sit in the very carriages used in the movies, and enjoy a fantastic day with all of the HP Fan Trip'ers! Entertainment during the journey will be provided by our professional storytellers. You also will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch on your own in historic Mallaig, a charming fishing village on the coast of Scotland where the train will make a stop. Return to Fort William late afternoon for the coach transfers to Edinburgh. Share stories of your adventures or just catch up on some sleep during the ride through the beautiful Scottish countryside.

Dinner on your own.

July 21 (Day Seven) - Alnwick Castle, Land Based Wizarding Game!

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging - 4-star Edinburgh Hotel

Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle

Morning departure for a fun adventure at Alnwick Castle, a film location for the first two Harry Potter movies. Your coach will whisk you in comfort into England and the village of Alnwick. Here you will gaze upon the scenery used for Harry's first flying lesson. Competitions will be held throughout the day as fans play HP Fan Trips' very popular land-based wizarding game, inspired by Harry's favorite sport. We encourage you to take the "Broomsticks & Battleaxe Tour" which is guided by the Castle staff. Lunch at the castle is included. If you wish, you may explore the gardens at your leisure. Alnwick Garden has free admission for those under 16 years of age - admission not included for adults.

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited such structure in England after Windsor Castle, and has been home to the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309.

After a day exploring the castle we will return to Edinburgh where you can enjoy dinner on your own.

July 22 (Day Eight) - A day in Edinburgh, Banquet and Gala at Edinburgh Castle

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging - 4-star Edinburgh Hotel

Today is your day to visit attractions in historic Edinburgh which you are particularly interested in on your own! Be sure to visit the Camera Obscura and its amazing optical illusion displays, dare to enter the Edinburgh Dungeon or take an Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. Be sure to stop at the cafe where J. K. Rowling spent time while writing the first adventures of our favorite wizard.

Gala at Edinburgh Castle
Gala at Edinburgh Castle

Don't forget to save time to prepare for our final night gala at Edinburgh Castle! The Castle is exclusively ours tonight. Enjoy the Great Hall (the location where Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as a kick-off to the worldwide book launch), take private tours of the Scottish Crown Jewels and other exhibition areas of the castle, and feast on a fabulous banquet! During the evening, be sure to meet Jamie Lawrence, MuggleNet.com VIP and co-author of the New York Times Bestseller "MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7?" End the night with music, dancing, and a party in Crown Square in the heart of the Castle!

July 23 (Day Nine) - Journey Home

Meals - Breakfast

A courtesy transfer for your group is included to the Edinburgh airport for your trip home!


Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Ent. Harry Potter Publishing Rights J.K.R. These themed tours are not official 'Harry Potter' tours and are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported, directly or indirectly by Warner Bros. Entertainment, the Harry Potter book publishers and/or J.K.Rowling and her representatives.

Some images courtesy of Visit Britain, FreeDigitalPhotos.Net, Catherine Collins and Jill Patterson.
Original material copyright © 2003-2008 HP Fan Trips™ and Beyond Boundaries Travel. All rights reserved.