Where the Magic Lives

Finding the Wizarding World in Scotland & Northern England

June 16 – June 26, 2010

A Family-Friendly Harry Potter Travel Adventure for Ages 6 and Up

Prices $2895 for Ages 13 and Up * and $2495 for Ages 6 - 12*

(*Ages 6 – 17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone.)

Ask about family discounts for 3 + family members lodging together!

Enjoy upgraded accommodations in absolutely the best locations plus lots of extra touches on this exciting Harry Potter themed tour. You’ll be right in the center of every remarkable town we’ll visit. The itinerary offers an exceptional opportunity for fans of all ages to get an insider’s view of Harry's magical world. It's great for families, but it's just as fun for Harry Potter enthusiasts traveling alone or with friends. Expert guides will reveal secrets of the origins of J.K. Rowling’s amazing series of books about a magical parallel world. But even for those who aren’t totally wild about Harry this tour offers a unique view of Scotland and northern England not seen by most visitors. Spectacular scenery, unforgettable activities, fascinating history, and the lore of ancient Britain will be appealing to anyone of any age!

Special Note: The tour planners for Magical Tours can’t predict the dates and places for special Harry Potter events in Britain next summer, but guests can be confident that our tours are flexible enough to take advantage of any events that may be scheduled during tour dates. As far as possible every effort will be made to include such additions as movie premiers and opening nights, or celebrity appearances to each tour as details are made available to us. The summer of 2010 is sure to hold some great surprises!

For those who wish to 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. As a special treat deluxe rooms are available at Edinburgh's famous Balmoral Hotel, where J.K. Rowling wrote last parts of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". You can even stay in the very suite where the book was finished – at a price!

Space for this amazing private tour is strictly limited to 16 guests!

ITINERARY

June 16 (Wednesday) Day 1:
TransAtlantic 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. Guests should make flight arrangements to arrive into Edinburgh Airport no later than 10:30 AM on June 17th.

June 17 (Thursday) Day 2
Arrive Edinburgh Airport by 10:30 AM today. Guests arriving by rail should plan to reach Edinburgh’s Waverly Station no later than 11:45 AM. We’ll assemble our tour group at Waverly Station at 12:00 Noon. Right away we’ll board our train bound for historic York, England. It will be a lovely journey as we watch the vista from out FIRST CLASS seats. Lunch will be served onboard the train.

Old York fulfills the image of exactly “what England is supposed to look like”, and is the home of the original “Diagon Alley”. Our lovely hotel is right in the heart of England’s most charming city – just the ideal location. After arrival we’ll have a short tour orientation followed by a unique Ghost walk and our Welcome Dinner together. At the end of a busy first day we’ll all be looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

June 18 (Friday) Day 3
After a great breakfast we’ll begin the day with a nice walking tour of the old city. We'll visit the magnificent York Minster, very near our hotel. The cathedral offers a number of worship services and choral presentations. Former tour guests have found these to be particularly memorable experiences.

We’ll have a lunch together planned for one of the most incredibly charming places you’ve ever seen!. Every former Magical Tours guest who has visited York has wished for more free time there. So today after lunch everyone will have lots of free time to enjoy a wide range of attractions available – from walking atop the medieval city wall to visiting the Jorvic Museum of Viking culture, or just strolling the atmospheric streets. During the day’s explorations, be sure to pick out the perfect restaurant for dinner on your own this evening.

June 19 (Saturday) Day 4
After an early breakfast we’ll set off on our spectacular rail journey from York to the rugged Scottish Highlands. This train ride from Glasgow to Fort William is considered by many to be one of the finest rail journeys in the world! Lunch will be served onboard the train. Within easy view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak, we’ll disembark for our stay in “Harry Potter country”.

Welcome to Fort William! Our Highland home will be an enchanting lodge overlooking the breathtaking Loch Linnhe. After settling into our comfy rooms in an incredibly scenic location, we'll have free time to relax before our welcome to the Highlands dinner in a wonderful loch-side restaurant near our hotel.

June 21 (Monday) Day 6
After breakfast, we begin another amazing adventure. Today we'll ride the historic Jacobite Steam Train, like the one used in all the movies, traveling along the very same route where scenes were filmed . Steaming along through the rugged mountains, this time we'll ride over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct! We can have fun imagining we're making our way with Harry and his fellow students as they travel to their magical school. This Highland rail journey from Fort William to Mallaig, a rustic coastal village, and back is rated as yet another of the greatest rail journeys of the world! Lunch will be on your own in your choice of restaurants in charming Mallaig before the return ride to Fort William.

After our return to Fort William we'll stop briefly by our hotel before the next adventure. Right away 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. This scenic and historic valley has been used as an important filming location in several of the Harry Potter movies. The brave-hearted will venture - on foot into the dark forest to experience it for ourselves. If we escape the forest, we’ll make our way to a cozy and inviting wayside inn for dinner on your own. This scenic inn offers a wide variety of delicious local specialties and beverages Hagrid would appreciate. But – as they say on TV - “That’s not all.” In our snug inn we’ll have a fun & Harry PotterTrivia Contest with really terrific prizes before returning to our beds in Fort William at the end of a very eventful day.

June 22 (Tuesday) Day 7
We’ll get an early start today as we set out to the world-famous Loch Ness! We'll be doing some "monster hunting", and we'll visit The Loch Ness Discovery Centre, with its fascinating multi-media presentation on the mysteries of the world's most famous lake. And, as they say on TV, "That's not all!" From the Discovery Centre we’ll embark on a private Loch Ness expedition by boat in search of "Nessie”, the Loch Ness Monster (the original “monster in the lake”). Our expedition will take us through the Great Glen on a boat fitted with the most sophisticated “monster hunting” devices, including “deepscan” sonar and underwater webcams. During our voyage our boat Captain, a for-real Loch Ness Monster researcher, will tell us all about the most recent sightings of the famous creature – and, who knows? Maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of Nessie ourselves! Our boat trip on the loch takes us to the world-famous Urquhart Castle for some great photo angles from the water-side. Enjoy lunch on your own at the Centre's handy restaurant.

After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we head back to Fort William for more local touring of super-secret areas that were closed off during the filming of Goblet of Fire and an optional expedition on foot to the breathtaking Steall Falls, the setting for Harry’s Dragon challenge in the Tri-wizard Competition. The falls are also prominently featured as the backdrop for Quidditch in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Those up to the challenge will have a chance to go there themselves on a challenging 3+ hour hike (We can see if all the dragons have cleared out!) For those who prefer there will be free time on your own in Fort William for less strenuous shopping or just relaxing at the hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

June 23 (Wednesday) Day 8
After breakfast we’ll have a last bit of free time in Fort William before boarding our train to Edinburgh, Scotland! Lunch will be an onboard “picnic” as we roll along through the scenic Scottish countryside.

In Edinburgh our deluxe hotel is perfectly located right in the center of the old city – the best of all possible locations! When we’ve had a chance to settle in we’ll have a short walking tour which will offer everyone keen insights into Jo Rowling’s life in Edinburgh. Along the way we’ll enjoy a fun welcome dinner at the very restaurant where J.K. Rowling wrote most of the first Harry Potter book.!

After the walking tour, for those among us who are strong of heart, we’ll go for 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 cozy hostel, and hide under the covers!

Those who aren’t into walking with unearthly spirits can simply enjoy the ambiance of this wonderful place on their own, and begin to fall under the spell of one of the world’s liveliest cities. There’s something for everyone, from traditional Scottish music to live pop performances. Enjoy!

June 24 (Thursday) Day 9
We’ll begin another incredible day with another short walking tour – this time covering the upper part of the famed Royal Mile. We’ll be introduced to some of the old city’s most famous (and infamous) characters and its fascinating tales and legends. Along the way we’ll have a nice breakfast in a café that played a major role in the creation of the Harry Potter books. The tour will continue to the awesome Edinburgh Castle. 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 experience you will never forget! Everyone will also have plenty of free time to explore the famous castle at your own pace, followed by some leisure time soak in the atmosphere of the castle or to meander along the Royal Mile and have a relaxing lunch on your own. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is a fascinating main street so full of intriguing shops, you will be hard pressed to decide on how many “must have” goodies you can carry home!

In the mid-afternoon we’ll reassemble the group for a short journey to experience an unforgettable activity. We’ll make our way to another ancient Scottish castle 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. (Even some of the “movie star” owls’ relatives!) Every Magical Tours guest always places this unique experience near the top of the list of tour favorites.

At the end of this incredible day savor the fascinating city of Edinburgh. Take time for dinner on your own at just the perfect pub or restaurant, and experience Edinburgh after dark.

June 25 (Friday) Day 10
After breakfast we’re off on another fun rail journey – this time to one of the favorite places on the whole tour: Alnwick Castle in Alnwick, England, the location where many, many exterior shots of “Hogwarts” were filmed for the first two Harry Potter movies. 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 get another owl-flying demonstration where Harry’s first broom flying lesson took place! Lunch will be on your own at either the castle’s excellent snack bar or restaurant. Get set for some great surprises today during our visit to this “totally Hogwarts” place.

After our return to Edinburgh for the rest of the day we'll have free time to explore “Olde Edinburra”, or catch up on shopping on The Royal Mile. There are awesome gifts there for everyone back home. The only question is "how can I carry it all back?" Fortunately most of the shops can arrange shipping for you!

Later we’ll meet to have our farewell dinner in a very nice traditional Scottish restaurant, followed by one last free evening to enjoy this most remarkable city.

June 26 (Saturday) Day 11:
The tour ends after breakfast at our hotel. Guests will need to make individual arrangements for transportation to the Edinburgh airport for flight departures, but assistance will be offered to help everyone make their connections for either flights home or for extended touring in Britain. We’ll be sad to part after our great adventure in the land of Harry Potter, but we all will have shared in a truly unforgettable “Magical Tour”!

Please Note: Guests planning to join A London Bridge Tour, which is being offered by Magical Tours, June 26 to June 30, will have complimentary transportation directly from Edinburgh to London for the  new group rendezvous in central London.

Please contact Magical Tours for recommendations should you wish to fly into and out of London. This option could provide more economical airfares.

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

Reservations and deposits for all tours must be received by April 1st, 2010

Prices for the Where the Magic Lives Tour, June 16 – June 26, 2010:

     $2895 for Ages 13 and Up                                       $2495 for Ages 6 – 12

Guests ages 6 – 17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or approved chaperone.

NOTE: The MAXIMUM for this small group tour is 16 persons, and the MINIMUM is 8 All prices are based on double occupancy.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: The additional cost for single occupancy accommodations will be $595. 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 nine (9) breakfasts throughout, five (5) lunches and five (5) dinners; all ground transportation including airport transfers and First Class rail travel (where available), nine (9) nights of overnight accommodation (based on double occupancy) in very specially–selected upscale hotels & B&Bs, 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, 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…