Come to Britain for a taste of the fictional world of mystery, crime, and thrillers in Cornwall, Devon, and Avon, including attendance at CrimeFest, the international crime fiction convention.

Highlights of the tour include the following:

• 3 nights in Torquay and 6 nights in Bristol
• A visit to sites in Torquay associated with Agatha Christie, including her birthplace and Greenway, her recently restored home, accompanied by John Curran, an expert on Christie
• A visit to the Cornish coast, setting of several of Daphne DuMaurier’s novels, and a talk on DuMaurier by a specialist on the writer
• A visit to the historic harbor town of Fowey, DuMaurier’s home
• A steam train ride from Paignton to Kingswear
• A visit to Dartmouth, and a discussion of Sherlock Holmes over coffee
• A boat cruise up the river Dart to Totnes
• A drive across Dartmoor, the setting of Sherlock Holmes’s Hound of the Baskervilles
• A half-day tour of Bath
• Attendance at Crimefest in Bristol, with panel sessions, interviews of featured guest authors, book signings, and a Gala dinner
• A half-day ferry cruise and  guided walking tour of Bristol
• A drive into Wales and time in Hay-on-Wye to browse second-hand book shops
• Transport from and to Heathrow Airport

Lodging: The cost of the trip is based on double occupancy in twin-bedded rooms in the following hotels: 

• In Torquay, we stay at the Grand Hotel (where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon), with single sea view rooms on a first-come, first-served basis (optional larger single sea view room for $178.50).
• In Bristol, we stay at the Marriott Royal Hotel (single supplement: $306.00.)

Cost: “Early bird” price: $2,999.00 by Jan. 1, 2010; $3,099.00 after that date.  Program fee includes all lodging, all breakfasts, 1 pub lunch, 1 cream tea,  5 dinners, Blue Badge tour guide, entrance fees, full pass for CrimeFest activities, and Heathrow Airport transport.  Please note that the program fee is based on double occupancy.  Single supplement for Bristol Marriott Hotel: $306.00.

Participants make their own flight arrangements

Program Leader: Kathy Ackley, Professor Emerita of English, taught literature and composition at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for 24 years before her retirement. She and her husband twice led UWSP’s Semester Abroad program in London and she has led nine summer Mystery and Crime Writers programs. She has made more than two dozen trips to England. 

REGISTRATION, DEPOSITS, AND PAYMENTS: Early registration is strongly advised! The trip is limited to 30 participants. A payment schedule will be sent for the balance of the payment. Up to four months before departure, fees except the initial deposit will be refunded on withdrawal. After that, lodging and other cancellation charges will also be assessed.

To make your deposit for this trip, send your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address along with a check for $200 (made out to UWSP Continuing Education) to:

Kim O'Flaherty
UWSP Continuing Education
324 CAC
UWSP
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Indicate that the deposit is for the UWSP Mystery Writers Devon, Cornwall, and Bristol 2010. A complete registration form will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit.

For more information contact Kim O'Flaherty at Kim.O'Flaherty@uwsp.edu or Kathy Ackley at kackley@kconline.com.

For more information on the UWSP Continuing Education Program go to http://www.uwsp.edu/conted

view itinerary