MuggleNet Magic Tour

July 8 – July 17, 2009

For Ages 15* + (*Ages 15 – 17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone.)

Unbeatable price of $2295 – All Ages

Space for this incredible tour is strictly limited to 16 travelers.

Join us on this very special magical tour, planned with MuggleNet fans in mind. The MuggleNet Magic Tour is our FOURTH ANNUAL trip planned for our guests who prefer traveling with enthusiastic fellow Harry Potter fans in a less “family-oriented” group. (No young children on this trip.) Tour costs have been reduced here and there to make it possible to offer this fantastic tour at a great price, but we’re still including awesome destinations and plenty of surprises along the way. What an adventure! It’s the journey of a lifetime. This super expedition to Scotland and northern England is sure to please any Harry Potter fan. From splendid castles to spectacular lochs and mountains, there's something awesome every step of the way. For those who love rail travel or have never experienced it, this trip is a dream-come-true! Overnight accommodations for this tour will be in small hotels, bed & breakfast inns, and private houses selected for their outstanding locations and facilities.

As a bonus for 2009, on the final night in Edinburgh tour members will have reserved seats in a truly classic theatre for the opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!

So start scraping your galleons together, and sign on for an exceptional sensory experience. See, hear, and feel the thrill of Harry’s magical world in Britain. Don’t miss it - Be a part of it!

ITINERARY

July 8 - Day 1
Air flight to Edinburgh, Scotland (not included). Guests are responsible for making their own flight arrangements into Edinburgh. Magical Tours will assist with transportation information, but flight connections are the responsibility of each tour participant.

July 9 - Day 2
Guests must plan flights to arrive at the Edinburgh airport by 11 AM on July 9th. A Magical Tours representative will meet the morning flights at the international arrival area of Edinburgh Airport. For guests arriving in Edinburgh early or traveling in by rail, we will assemble the entire tour group at Waverly Station in central Edinburgh at 12:30 PM. From there we’ll board our train to fantastic York, England! We’ll have a very nice lunch on board as we enjoy the scenery from our comfy First Class seats. After arrival in York we’ll check into our home-away-from-home in York, a charming inn located near the city’s breathtaking ancient medieval wall.

We’ll have a fun walking tour of the old city followed by an early dinner together before the next adventure: a unique Ghost Cruise. Our hosts will entertain us with York’s most famous ghost stories as we glide through the old city on the River Ouse. If we still have our wits about us we’ll scurry back to the safety of our B&B for a (hopefully) peaceful night’s sleep.

July 10 - Day 3
Right after our hearty English breakfast we’ll set off on a walking tour to orient everyone to the charms of Olde York, which fulfills the image of “what England is supposed to look like”. It is the home of the original “Diagon Alley” and the magnificent York Minster, one of the world’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals.

In the afternoon there will be time for lunch on your own followed by free time to explore, shop, or just relax in your room. Enjoy a wide range of attractions available – from walking atop the medieval city wall to visiting the Jorvic Museum of Viking culture. Check out The National Railway Museum, or just stroll along the atmospheric streets of this captivating city. In the evening we’ll have an unforgettable event in one of the most amazing places you’ve ever seen. Dinner and mystery Harry Potter activities will round out a very fun day.

July 11 - Day 4
Today we’ll have to get an early start for our rail journey to Fort William, Scotland. A light breakfast will be served onboard the train as we make our way via Edinburgh to the stunning Scottish Highlands. This train ride is regarded as one of the finest rail journeys in the world! Lunch will also be an on-the- go meal as we make our way into the rugged mountains of “Harry Potter Country”. Within easy view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak, we disembark for our stay in Fort William.

Our Highland home will be a unique private house overlooking the breathtaking Loch Linnhe.

There we will have the entire place to ourselves – our personal hideaway for sharing our Highland adventure together. After settling in we’ll stop by a convenient restaurant to enjoy an early dinner on your own before beginning our exploration tour of the area. We'll visit many film locations used in the Harry Potter movies, including the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, prominently featured in Chamber of Secrets, Prizoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Order of the Phoenix . We'll have time to see the sights you really want to see before returning to our private accommodations for a good night’s sleep.

July 12 - Day 5
After a great breakfast together, we begin another amazing adventure. Today we’ll ride the famous Jacobite Steam Train along through the rugged mountains, and over the famous Glefinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter film fame, following the same route Harry and his fellow Hogwarts students took on their way to their magical School! We’ll travel in rail cars selected from among those used in the filming of the “Hogwarts Express” scenes. This Highland rail journey to the rugged seacoast village of Mallaig and back is rated as another of the “Greatest Rail Journeys of the World”! Lunch will be a special onboard treat!

After our return to Fort William we'll have a family-style dinner together at our house to fortify us for the next adventure. As twilight falls we’ll set out for a journey to the Forbidden Forest – very near the site of Hagrid’s Hut in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The brave-hearted will venture - on foot and by lantern light - into the dark forest to serve our dreadful detention. If we escape the forest, we’ll make our way on foot to a wayside inn for refreshments.

July 13 - Day 6
After a hearty breakfast together in our house we’ll set off for an exciting hike to Steall Falls. a real favorite of previous Magical Tours guests. It's a pretty rugged three-hour (or thereabouts) trek into some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery; and It's the setting for Harry’s Dragon challenge in the Tri-wizard Competition in Goblet of Fire! Those up to the challenge will hike there to see if all the dragons have cleared out! For those who don’t want to venture off in search of Dragons there will be some cool alternatives in Fort William.

We’ll all return to Fort William for a visit to the beautiful village and lunch on your own there, followed by some free time for exploring and shopping along the High Street. We’ll also get in a bit more local touring in our mini-bus before returning to our home-away-from-home for a fun “choose your own adventure” farewell feast followed by a challenging Harry Potter trivia competition, complete with some great prizes for the Potter geniuses among our group.

July 14 - Day 7 (NT 6):
This morning we'll have an early breakfast before packing up for our return to Edinburgh by train. This remarkable journey allows us all to savor our last view of the unforgettable Scottish Highlands.

Welcome to Edinburgh, home of J.K. Rowling! After our arrival in Edinburgh just after noon we’ll check into our hotel located right in the heart of the city – the location couldn’t be better! Then we’ll enjoy a nice welcome luncheon together at a café that played a big role in the creation of Harry Potter! After lunch we’ll have a fun walking tour of the upper portion of Edinburgh’s famed Royal Mile to make you comfortable in your new neighborhood. This fascinating main street is so full of intriguing shops, you might feel as if you’ve discovered the real “Diagon Alley”. Our tour will reveal some of the old city’s most famous tales and legends. Afterward there will be some free time to explore the city and find a great place to have dinner on your own and maybe a chance to check out Edinburgh’s lively night life.

July 15 – Day 8
After breakfast we’ll have an experience you won’t believe! We'll travel to an ancient Scottish castle in the countryside for an up close and personal encounter with owls! You will get to handle and learn about flying owls, and to try your hand at really flying different kinds of owls just like those that appear in the Harry Potter movies! This will be something you will never forget!

After our return to the city We’ll board our First Class train to travel to Alnwick, England, the location where many, many exterior shots of “Hogwarts” were filmed. The absolutely breathtaking Alnwick Castle and village alone are worth a trip to the British Isles! You may feel as if you really are at Hogwarts! We may even see another owl-flying demonstration and some other nice surprises where Harry’s first flying lesson took place! Lunch on your own is available at the castle's snack bar or restaurant.

Evening brings us back to Edinburgh, and dinner on your own, After which, for those who are strong of heart, we’ll meet up to have a ghost walk into one of the scariest places in the world: deep in the underground Vaults of Edinburgh. If we emerge safely, we’ll scurry back to the safety of our hotel, and hide under the covers – or maybe enjoy some night time fun in this incomparable old city.

July 16 – Day 9
Just when you think life can't get any better, we're off for a tour of the famed Edinburgh Castle planned for Magical Tours guests. We’ll get to see the Castle that is said to have inspired Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and where J.K. Rowling herself hosted the Half-Blood Prince book release celebration. This will be an unforgettable "Hogwarts" experience! After the tour of this magnificent castle, there will be free time to explore it and have lunch on your own either at the castle’s café or at one of the many quaint restaurants outside the castle along the Royal Mile.

In the afternoon we’ll meet up for our next adventure: a free-for-all wand duel (cleverly disguised as a muggle Laser Tag game), followed by some free time for the rest of the day. For those looking for a bit of exercise you can take the hike down the hill to the palace of Holyrood House, the royal residence of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. From there you can look up to Arthur’s Seat, a massive volcanic outcropping in a huge town park just past the foot of the Royal Mile. Go for a climb to the top if the mood strikes you.

We’ll gather one more time for our farewell dinner at the very restaurant where J.K. Rowling wrote much of the first Harry Potter book.! There will be time to rest and pack up at the hotel before the next amazing event!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opens tonight at midnight! Magical Tours guests will have reserved seating for the showing at Edinburgh’s premier classic cinema. This great old-style theatre enjoys another distinction as well: it’s the cinema located very close to J.K. Rowling’s Edinburgh home! She reportedly shows up there – unannounced – to take in a film now and then. Who knows? Maybe……

July 17 - Day 10:
Our tour ends with breakfast at our hotel. As everyone’s schedule will differ, making the arrangements for transportation to connect with your flight from central Edinburgh will be each guest’s own responsibility.

We’ll be sad to part after our great adventure in the world of Harry Potter, but our band of MuggleNetters will have shared in a fantastic “magical experience”!

For those who wish to arrive earlier or extend the tour at the end Magical Tours will be pleased to offer tips on overnight accommodations at the airport or in the city, and any other information to help you have the best travel experience ever.

This limited size private tour will fill quickly. Don’t miss out!

Reservations and deposits for all tours must be received by MAY 15th, 2009

Prices for the MuggleNet Magic Tour, July 8 – 17, 2009:

$2295 for All Ages - 15 and

A $500 deposit is required with each reservation. Final payment is due by May 30th, 2009

See the “Extended Payment Plan” on our Magical Tours website for details on payment options.

NOTE: The MAXIMUM for this small group tour is 16 persons, and the MINIMUM is 10 All prices are based on double occupancy.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: The additional cost for single occupancy accommodations will be $450. We are pleased to work with guests to avoid this charge through the “roommate plan”. As guests sign up for tours we will keep single travelers advised on possible room sharing options. Single guests will have the opportunity to contact each other in advance to see if they would be comfortable sharing twin or triple accommodations during the tour. The extra charge is payable if such arrangements do not work out, or if the guest prefers private rooms.

TOUR INCLUDES: All eight (8) breakfasts throughout, four (4) lunches and five (5) dinners; all ground transportation including airport transfers and First Class rail travel, eight (8) nights of overnight accommodation (based on double occupancy) in very specially–selected hotels & B&Bs & private apartments, admissions to all attractions described in the tour itinerary, full time knowledgeable guide services, and standard gratuities. There will be no additional charges for tours and events offered by Magical Tours/Your Man in Europe.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to, and returning from Great Britain, optional travel insurance, extra beverages (meals will include 1 beverage and will be budgeted accordingly); a la cart or premium menu selections beyond the established meal allowances; between meal snacks; gratuities for extra services such as baggage porters, or for superior service (normal gratuities are included in the trip cost); souvenirs; and privately arranged activities. Room upgrades, where available, are also not included. NOTE: All overnight accommodations, as well as railroad, coach, and mini-bus travel will be NON-SMOKING.

ITINERARY CHANGES: Guests are advised that the tour itineraries are subject to minor revisions both prior to and during the tours. Normally such changes involve slight alterations in the order of activities, rather than significant changes such as canceling a planned tour item.

From time to time additional events are added to the schedule; but if circumstances require leaving out a planned activity guests will be advised as early as possible, and a different event of equal or superior value would be introduced as a substitute. Our tour parties are small enough to make possible quick shifts in the plans to adjust for unanticipated conditions, such as bad weather or transportation interruptions beyond our control.

THE DIFFERENCE: Magical Tours does not operate “Big Bus Tours”. There will be no wake-up calls at 5 AM to herd onto the buses, or marathon cross-country slogs with a busload of exhausted people. For all long-distance travel we use the comfortable and efficient British Rail system; and for short distance local touring we use private mini-buses or vans. Our guests will travel at a relaxed pace, and have friendly, extremely knowledgeable guides for the entire tour – not just a bus driver and contracted tour guides. We do our best to set the mood, to weave a spell, and to make yours a total experience. These are also not just film-location “drop-by” trips. Each of the places visited will come to life through carefully planned presentations. Hotels, bed & breakfast inns, and private apartments, as well as most restaurants on the entire journeys have been selected for their highly prized locations or high levels of “atmosphere”, or both! The small group size allows us to personalize the experience in a way big groups simply cannot do.

For those who haven’t experienced British rail travel there is simply no contest between long stuffy confining bus journeys and the openness, freedom and comfort of First Class train travel. Our travel adventures are not just more mass tours organized by a big commercial tour company to capitalize on a movie fad. The trips encompass a genuine affection for an enduring classic of literature, as well as for beautiful and historic countries. This is much more than just a “Harry Potter” tour – anyone would love these unique views of England and Scotland. We want guests to be a real part of it all – not just tourists passing through. We don’t supplement the price during the trips through endless additional charges for “extra” tours and arrangements you must handle on your own.

If you want a complete, personalized, worry-free escorted tour of Harry Potter’s England – a magical journey – you’ve found the source!

DISCLAIMER: These themed tours are not official 'Harry Potter' events and are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported, directly or indirectly by Warner Bros. Entertainment, the Harry Potter book publishers or J.K.Rowling and her representatives. All rights to the series of “Harry Potter” books are the property of J.K. Rowling and her publishers including Scholastic Press, et al. Film rights and image trademarks are the property of Warner Brothers, Inc. Any references to trademarked and copyrighted materials are not intended as anything more than an effort to bring well-known imaginary figures and places in literature into the context of an actual travel experience in Great Britain. Though the places we will visit are quite real and historically significant, the theme of this tour is based upon entirely imaginary characters and places. When the tour itinerary refers to such imaginary characters or place names, there is no intent to imply that they are real people or places, or that they pertain to factual events. Such references are intended to create associations between possible inspirations for the stories and/or filming locations used for the movies, and the very real places we will visit. Since “Hogwarts”, “The Forbidden Forest”, etc. are not real places, we cannot possibly actually visit them…but we can have fun pretending…

Copyright 2008 -Your Man in Europe/Magical Tours