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Universal’s Harry is casting early spells


Georgia’s highways and byways Motorists should look out for iconic


images of America’s Peach State, which for the next year are travelling the highways and byways of the UK courtesy of Titan HiTours. Three of the escorted touring


operator’s VIP Home Departure Service vehicles, which take clients to and from airports throughout the UK, have been emblazoned with graphics that show off the charms of Georgia at large and that of two of its cities, Atlanta and Savannah. “We have literally gone out on the


EX-BBC chat show host and film


reviewer Jonathan Ross was among the early visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, Florida, this summer. Ross visited the headline-grabbing


new attraction with his family, and, at the Hog’s Head pub, tasted the popular beverage Butterbeer – a frothy drink, reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch, served only in Hogsmeade. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,


inspired by J.K. Rowling’s characters and stories, celebrated a grand opening on June 18. It has been described by many delegates who attended this year’s Pow Wow trade show in Orlando as one of the most spectacularly impressive and technologically breathtaking entertainment experiences ever created. Selling Long Haul’s managing editor, Alan Orbell, was among the trade


visitors given an early preview of the attraction, shortly before it opened to the public. He commented: “As one of the few people on the planet who has never read a Harry Potter book nor seen a Harry Potter film my pre-opening visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was something of a revelation. “As impressively precise (I assume!)


as was Universal’s creation of the village of Hogsmeade, it was merely a forestaste of the state-of-the-art animatronics, computer graphics and every other modern technological marvel – plus, apparently, a little magic – that made up the Hogwarts experience." He added: “The seemingly everlasting


winding pathways before boarding the ride were an indicator of the hordes to come to this cast-iron certainty for success.” www.universalstudios.com


Amtrak straight to Virginia’s heart Major improvements to Amtrak’s


services in Virginia have made some of the state’s central popular historic towns and villages even more accessible to tourists. Amtrak Virginia, an innovative public-


private partnership, has completed a major investment to service on two routes to the much-visited regions of Lynchburg and Richmond in the heartland of the state. The service on the Lynchburg route


includes stops at Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Burke Center (Fairfax) and Alexandria – a region blessed with attractions like Civil War battlefields, annual agricultural events,


outdoor adventure activities, and even wine trails. Passengers enjoy the passing


scenery of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and quintessential Southern towns with colonial homes and rocking chairs on their porches. In July, a second improved Amtrak


Virginia service was launched on the route to the state capital, Richmond, with stops at Staples Mill, Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge, and Alexandria. Prices for a round-trip from


Washington, DC to Lynchburg start at $29pp and a round-trip to Richmond $23. www.AmtrakVirginia.com


road and taken a more visible stance to highlight the beauty and diversity of Georgia. Titan HiTours is a key partner to Georgia, with their comprehensive itineraries continuing to deliver strong passenger numbers year on year,” said Peter Hannaford, director of Georgia Tourism in the UK.


Steve Curry, agency sales manager,


Titan Travel Group, said "We are delighted to have the wonderful state of Georgia as our newest van-back advertiser. Titan clients continue to enjoy our tours to the Deep South year after year, which include overnight stays in both Atlanta and Savannah. We look forward to closely monitoring the success of this campaign and as a result, increase passengers to Georgia". www.georgiatourismusa.co.uk www.titanhitours.co.uk


SeaWorld at loggerheads with oil spill


Seaworld Orlando was in the vanguard of treating turtles impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The popular Florida theme park has to date treated up to 60 of the endangered sea animals and has released 10 back into the waters off southwest Florida. The park, through its Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, is one of the few organisations in the world with the expertise to tend to the special needs of multiple sea turtle species. Visitors to SeaWorld Orlando can discover opportunities to get involved and learn about everyday ways they can help protect animals and habitats. Visitors also flock to SeaWorld Florida


for rides such as Manta and Kraken and shows like Believe and Shamu Rocks,


TCS looks to 2011 signature trips Thomas Cook Signature’s new


America brochure includes an increased selection of city breaks, multi-centres, excursions and self-drive options, for holidays until December 31 2011. As well as New York, Las Vegas,


Los Angeles and San Francisco the new America brochure covers the Hawaiian Islands, secluded national parks and New England as well as


ideas for special occasions such as weddings and honeymoons. The brochure also includes Alaska cruises out of Seattle with Holland America Line. Three nights in New York, staying at


the three-diamond Wellington Hotel on a room-only basis, costs from £59pp, flying with British Airways from London Heathrow. www.thomascookworld.com


www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2010 23


featuring Orca killer whales, and Pets Ahoy! whose star attractions are cats, dogs, skunks and even potbellied pigs. www.seaworld.com


Pictured: A SeaWorld veterinarian examines an endangered loggerhead sea turtle


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