Scotland | TRAVELLISTICS

Archive for the 'Scotland' Category

Jun21

Scotland: Is Harry Potter there?

Scotland: Is Harry Potter anywhere to be found?

By Charles L Harmon

Millions of kids, as well as adults, have read the Harry Potter books. Instead of a run-of-the-mill vacation this summer, why not book a family package that encompasses all of the well-known sites associated with the Harry Potter series?
Not only would this make an excellent trip for children, but works just as well for adults too.

Here is a chance to really see some of Scotland with a nice self-drive 6-day tour of Scotland and Northern England. Look for this tour and go. It is sure to become one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime. Since you’re driving you can really get to see the beautiful countryside and not just one city or a severely limited number of tourist specific spots.

Some Facts about Scotland
Location: Northern third of the island of Great Britain
Capital: Edinburgh
Largest city: Glasgow
Population: 2006 estimate 5,116,900 – 2001 census 5,062,011
Area: Total 78,772 sq km 30,414 sq mi
Official languages: English
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)

You begin the tour starting in Edinburgh with a visit to the Zoo to see the owls similar to Harry’s Hedwig. Afterward, you can take a tour of Edinburgh followed by a Ghost walk in the evening. You will stay overnight in Edinburgh.

On the second day, you will pick up your rental car and drive south to England to Alnwick Castle, home of the Duke of Northumberland and the scene of Harry Potter’s first flying lesson. The Castle courtyard was the location for scenes at Hogwarts School including the broomstick flying and Quiddich games. Stay overnight in Hexham.

On the third day, you will drive south through the pretty fishing village of Whitby, the birthplace for Captain Cook and Bram Stoker, author of Dracula. Enter the North Yorkshire Moors National Parks to see Goathland Station, which was transformed into Hogsmead Station where Harry arrived for his first year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry. You can opt to take a steam train journey or continue through the National Park to beautiful stately house of Castle Howard. Stay overnight in York.

On the fourth day, you will spend the day exploring the historic city of York with its National Railway Museum, the Castle Museum and Jorvik Viking Experience. There is another Ghost walk in the evening as well. Stay overnight in York

On day five, you will head for border back to Scotland making a stop at Durham Cathedral where the Christmas Scenes were filmed. Continue over the Cheviot Hills through the Northumbrian National Park into the Scottish Borders famous for the Scottish Tweeds and Woolen Mills and shops and onto Edinburgh to return your rental car. Stay overnight in Edinburgh.

Day six you return home filled with memories of this fabulous trip!

Included in this package is roundtrip airfare to Edinburgh, car, accommodations, breakfast daily, tax and service charges, and a Harry Potter map.

Of course, there are more traditional tours of Scotland. However, if you have kids this is one trip they will thank you for and enjoy it tremendously. Thanks to the Harry Potter books and the huge popularity of them, there is now a place to go that the children will look forward to and actually want to visit.

About the Author
Charles is a software developer. He also writes articles for websites. A growing interest of his is online dating – visit http://unlonely.com. If you like gardening or wish to garden, visit My Garden Delight – www.mygardendelight.com. Charles is writing about the real life story of someone with Alzheimer’s disease.