Typically "fan trips" visit film locations and may also stage special events that give visitors a special immersion in their favorite fictional world.
Harry Potter Fan Trips
Harry Potter fan trips have coincided with major release dates of a Harry Potter book or movie; the book series, alas, is finished (or so we're told), but at time of writing there more movies are still to come.
In 2009, we await the summer launch of the movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Beyond Boundaries Travel, a company with a specialty in fan trips, has two Harry Potter fan trips timed with the movie release: travelers visit film locations in London and Edinburgh, see the movie in wizarding style, party at Hampton Court Palace, and more.
Family Adventures
Such fan trips are a type of "family adventure": escorted small groups take a trip together, all details handled, to enjoy an extraordinary itinerary. Usually family adventures explore a Great Outdoors destination such as a National Park, or perhaps explore culture and history in an area such as Tuscany.
Family Adventures are pricey, but guests have no planning hassles, waiting, line-ups, or luggage lugging; and the itinerary has top quality experiences every day. Read what to expect from a Family Adventure.
Other Fan Trips:
The release of the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean movies sparked a number of fan trips. Some POTC fan trips offered a general immersion into the pirate life (for example, visiting historical pirate locations in Jamaica, and sailing on a Tall Ship). Another fan trip-- a Pirates of the Caribbean package in St. Vincent and the Grenadines -- visited film locations.
Expect more fan trips to be offered when movies or books reach a certain pitch of popularity. For example, for vampire-loving families with teens and tweens can try Twilight fan trips in Europe (Italy and Romania), or a Vampire Baseball Adventure in Oregon. (2009.)
Keep an eye on the FanTrips.travel site, for more.
