DA VINCI CODE THE BOOK
The Da Vinci Code is an enormously successful book. There are over 44 million copies in circulation worldwide, making it second only to the Bible. Is that crazy?! (If you have it delivered by Amazon.com using this link, we make a small commission). Whether you like the book or not, I promise you two things: 1) This summer, Europe will be invaded by visitors walking around with DVC books, following the paths of Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon (the two main characters) as they travel from France to Scotland in hopes of discovering the mystery behind the Holy Grail. 2) By the end of the summer you will be all Da Vinci'ed out. It's unbelievable how huge this book and movie are getting. I've never seen anything like it. DVC has created such a buzz, it seems almost every French and British hotel owner, tour operator and tourist board is rolling out Da Vinci Code tours or packages. It's crazy! But it's cool to see how many jobs and opportunities have been created from one book.

DA VINCI CODE THE MOVIE
Director Ron Howard was not allowed to film his DVC version in every place mentioned in the book. That's good news for visitors and the towns that were selected. Doors will open to some incredible places you most likely would have missed. Those cities' economies will roar with the flood of tourism. The DVC movie opens on May 17 in Europe, May 19 in the U.S. Tom Hanks stars as symbologist Robert Langdon, along with Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu), Jean Reno (Bezu Fache), Ian McKellen (Sir Leigh Teabing), Paul Bettany (Silas) and Alfred Molina (Bishop Aringarosa). For more cast of characters, check out IMDb.com. To watch the trailer log on to SonyPicutes.com.

MY TRIP
I was invited to go on the Da Vinci Code movie tour by the French Tourist Office, Visit Britain, Visit Scotland and Rail Europe. They've all teamed up to recreate the Da Vinci Code experience in anticipation of the new movie. The theme of the trip was to hit locations from the book and movie, following the footsteps of the stars across Paris, England and Edinburgh. We even stayed in some of the same hotels, ate at the same restaurants and did some of the tours the stars did while filming this 10-month project (it ended last September).

WORK OF FICTION
Let's get a couple of things straight before we begin this amazing three-country tour (I don't want religious fanatics sending me nasty emails). 1) The book is a work of fiction. Period! Author Dan Brown admitted it, and so did everyone else I have met so far on this journey. They all think its fun � which it is. I didn't read the book until last week myself. Not because I am Catholic and the book has created all kinds of controversy with the church, but because I have been crazy busy. But obviously I had to read the book (or listen to it on tape) before I left. I now understand why the book is so popular. Every page keeps you hanging -- and the characters travel to places everyone wants to go. 2). It's amazing how many close-minded people are still out there. If you are not open-minded, you're missing out on a lot, and you probably shouldn't being traveling. Travel is all about being open-minded, learning new cultures, trying new things. For example, I just ate sweetbreads an hour ago. That's right: I thought I swallowed cow balls -- and that was just my appetizer. Then I did a Google search. Phew! I learned I didn't eat what I was told. It was either the pancreas, neck or thymus gland. Now if you'll excuse me a minute while I go get sick... For more click HERE.