England and Scotland “Sorcerer”
Adult Tour II
July 9-17, 2011 - 9 days/8 nights
$2,999.00 per person/dbl occupancy – not including airfare to/from Britain
Single Supplement $TBD
As the original tour sold out so quickly, we have added another tour.
We’ve taken the best from each of the seven years of our top-rate HP Fan Trips™ and created this itinerary to celebrate the release of the final film in the Harry Potter story.
This itinerary has been specially designed with adults and teen fans in mind. It offers an exciting exploration of London, Oxford, 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. Our storyteller will thrill you with the legend of Padfoot and the true tale of the Hand of Glory, which grabs Harry in Knockturn Alley (Chamber of Secrets). From the journey on a one-of-a-kind vintage steam train to knock-your-socks-off exclusive banquet at Edinburgh Castle, you're sure to be enchanted with this "kingdom."
Included:
- 8 nights accommodations at 3 and 4-star hotels
- Flight between London and Scotland
- Daily services of a Professional Guide
- Exclusive use of Edinburgh Castle for a “Hogwarts-style” Banquet including
- Dinner
- Entertainment in the Crown Square
- Private tours of exhibition areas
- Ride on the Steam Train along the same route used to film the movies
- Professional Storyteller during portions of the trip
- Panoramic tour of London
- Coach tour of London area Harry Potter film locations
- Tour of Oxford and Harry Potter film locations including admissions to Christ Church and New College
- Coach tour including Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey including admissions
- Choice of Hike to Film Locations or alternative activity
- Viewing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie in Edinburgh!
- 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
- 14 meals, including "Hogwarts"-style banquet
- Transfers as noted on itinerary
- Baggage Handling
- Gratuities to Driver
- Limited Edition Alivan's wands
July 9 - Welcome
Meals - Welcome Dinner
Lodging - London 3 star 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 Victoria Station. Taxi transfer to your hotel (at own expense).
Settle into your hotel for a rest and then meet the group in your hotel's lobby at 5:00 pm for a Welcome Orientation and distribution of documents. Afterwards enjoy some free time to explore London or just rest up from your long journey to the UK.
Welcome Dinner included.
July 10 - Filming Locations
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging - Oxford 3 star hotel
Grab your map and get ready for a Scavenger Hunt through London in search of Harry Potter film locations. While this hunt will be enjoyed from the comfort of your air-conditioned coach, be prepared for some good-natured competition to be the winner of the “best photos” and guest-led trivia contest.
After an enjoyable lunch at a pub resembling "The Leaky Cauldron" head off to Oxford in search of filming locations including Christ Church College and New College. Other locations may be included depending on events scheduled at the colleges.
Christ Church and its Great Hall is used as a double for "Hogwarts" in several films. Oxford's largest college, re-founded by Henry VIII in 1546, is the only college in the world with a cathedral within its walls. Lewis Carroll used the same views at Christ Church as inspiration for his Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
The historic Bodleian Library is the main research library of Oxford University and includes Duke Humfrey’s Library and the Divinity School, both of which were used to recreate some of the interiors at “Hogwarts”.
You may want to enjoy dinner at the Eagle & Child, the pub frequented by the Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll, and view the interesting displays about these authors and their works.
Oxford is the perfect place for a Harry Potter-themed celebration. It is referred to as the City of Dreaming Spires because of its beautiful architecture. The city is the home of England's oldest university and while it is also an industrial city on the Thames, the association with learning and the academic way of life remains paramount. Many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxford.
Dinner at leisure.
July 11 - Filming Locations
Meals - Breakfast
Lodging - Oxford 3 star hotel
A full day is planned today to visit other Harry Potter film locations as well as a “must see” on your trip to Britain. Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey - this will be a fantastic day.
Impressive Gloucester Cathedral has been a stunning example of Gothic architecture. The cloisters are regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural gems in Britain. The cathedral provides the backdrop for several scenes in the Harry Potter films. Pupils from King’s School, which adjoins the cathedral, were used as extras.
The lovely medieval village of Lacock is also the location of picturesque 13th century Lacock Abbey. The Abbey provided locations for various interior scenes at “Hogwarts School” and most recently a great deal of footage for the Half-Blood Prince film.
Dinner at leisure.
July 12 - Scotland
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging - Highlands - The Ballachulish Hotel
We have included a flight from Heathrow to Glasgow, Scotland.
Enjoy the romance and mystery as you travel through the beautiful Highlands of Scotland to your next destination.
Late afternoon arrival at hotel in the Highlands. Dinner included.
July 13 - Steall Falls, Pajama Party
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging - Highlands - The Ballachulish Hotel
Stretch your legs and get ready for our morning hike to Steall Falls, location for the dragon scene (Task 1 of the TriWizard Tournament in the HP movies). This is a beautiful hike taking approx. 1 – 1 1/2 hours each way from the trail head to the Falls. Hiking shoes are required. 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.
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.)
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.
Steall Falls hikers – after returning to the trailhead, travel to Glencoe (as described above) and then take a walk up the hill which was host to “Hagrid’s Hut”, pumpkins and magical creatures.
Take a break back at the hotels before dinner (included).
After dinner, get ready for a Pajama Party! Bring your pillows and pajamas while we hear stories, play games, and generally have fun into the night. Don’t worry about staying up late, we have a late start the next morning!
July 14 - Train ride
Meals - Breakfast
Lodging - Edinburgh 3 star hotel
Enjoy a sleep-in as we have a late start this morning. Arrive at the train depot by 9:30am for a fabulous private ride on a steam train where you will travel along the same route used to film the movies. Travel through the Highlands, take loads of pictures, and enjoy a fantastic day with all of the HP Fan Trip’ers!
Return to Fort William at 4:00pm 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 at leisure.
July 15 - Alnwick Castle
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging - Edinburgh 3 star hotel
An early morning departure for an all-day 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. There is plenty to do at this exciting location!
Competitions will be held throughout the day as fans play the very popular HP Fan Trips’ land-based Wizarding game (developed for us by the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of Team Handball).
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.
Lunch included.
We will return to Edinburgh in time to prepare for our exciting movie with fellow fans! We have reserved seating at an Edinburgh theatre for our special viewing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – perfect end to a perfect day!
Dinner at leisure.
July 16 - Edinburgh
Meals - Breakfast, Gala Dinner
Lodging - Edinburgh 3 star hotel
Today is your day to visit attractions in Edinburgh which you are particularly interested in. 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 café where J K Rowling spent time while writing the first adventures of our favorite wizard.
Don’t forget to save time to prepare for our final night gala at Edinburgh Castle! The Castle is exclusively ours tonight as we hear stories in the Great Hall (the location where JK Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as a kick-off to the worldwide book launch), and enjoy a fabulous banquet! End the night with music and a party in Crown Square in the heart of the Castle!
July 17
Meals - Breakfast
Morning transfers included to Edinburgh airport.
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