Let Dan Brown be your travel agent - take 2

Angels & Demons, Dan Brown's novel prior to The DaVinci Code, and based on the same character Robert Langdon is now filming in Italy. First thing I thought when seeing some of the pictures from the set was thank God Tom Hanks dropped that stupid mullet for this flick. While I liked The DaVinci Code movie, I just couldn't get past the hair (but oh, is Audrey Tatou the cutest little thing...). I'm actually looking forward to this movie more as I thought Angels & Demons was the better book. Don't let me down Hollywood.

Anyway, Dan Brown's books - and movies - have had a definite impact on tourism. When The DaVinci Code became popular, places outlined in the book - like Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland had a four fold increase in tourism.

Will Angels and Demons have the same effect on Italy?

Some hope so. Patrizia Prestipino, head of Rome’s provincial department of tourism, said, “A film like this could relaunch American tourism,” which has dropped by 6 percent this year from the same period last year (largely because of the weak dollar). The story takes place in some of the most magnificent spots in Rome, including the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo.

I believe she's right. I have to admit, I'm a Dan Brown tourist. I made it to Rosslyn Chapel because it was mentioned in the book. I probably would have missed it otherwise in selecting what to do on our Scotland trip. It was quite a site and the increased tourist revenue has allowed them to further restore this masterpiece. Dan Brown tourism has been good for Rosslyn Chapel and hopefully will do the same on the Angels & Demons sites in Italy.

Oh, and quote of the article? In regards to if this film - or any other one can film inside the vatican. Father Fibbi explains:

“No one ever gets permission to film inside the Vatican"

But especially not a movie that paints the Catholic Church as the baddie. They definitely don't get to film there. So, we'll see how they CGI around that one...

Planning a trip to Italy in the near term? Check out the one-and-only (they've got it registered!) Angels & Demons tour (costing 56 euros). Link below.

Finally, where is Dan Brown's next book? Did he run out of ideas or something?

Rome braces for onslaught of Dan Brown Tourism [NY Times]
Dark Rome "Angels and Demons" Tour [Official Site]
Dan Brown [Wikipedia]
Buy the book already [Amazon.com]