From 11 - 15 September 2007 fans of the Queen of Crime Writers can look forward to paying homage to Dame Agatha Christie, the world's best-known mystery author. On location in Torquay on the “English Riviera,” Agatha Christie devotees will enjoy a series of key events this year. This now annual gala celebrates the life and works of the most published author of all time whose 79 novels and short story collections have sold more than an astonishing two billion copies around the world and have been translated into over 50 languages.

Born 15 September 1890 the youngest of three children in a conservative, comfortable if not well-to-do family in the seaside community of Torquay in County Devon, England, Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was educated largely at home. Her mother, Clarissa Beochmer Miller, believed “education destroyed the brain and ruined the eyes” but encouraged Agatha to write from very early age. The only detective stories she had read while growing up were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and a French novel called Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. It was her sister, Madge, who goaded Agatha to write a detective story in which the ending could not be easily guessed. For three weeks, Agatha stayed at Moorland Hotel, Hay Tor, Dartmoor, where she wrote her first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair At Styles published five years later in 1920. This was the world's initial introduction to the fastidious 5 feet, 4 inches tall, Hercule Poirot, her famous Belgian sleuth. The book was based on Agatha's nursing experience during World War I in the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Styles was a precise replica of Victorian Torquay. Poirot, the chocolate-loving detective, together with his logic and rational procedures and his “little grey cells,” was to be a principal character for Christie in over forty books, the last of which, Curtain, was published in 1975.

Torquay and the surrounding area provided inspiration for many of her books. Set in one of Britain's most beautiful bays, where the famous Torbay palm tree grows, the festival on the “English Riviera” is an opportunity to trace Dame Agatha’s footsteps and discover the many places that were a source of inspiration for her books. Christie devotees will want to program an itinerary as outlined that will be topped and tailed with nights in London. This will insure that travelers will avoid the headache of potential airline delays and the rush of same-day arrival at the festival.

Monday 10 September:
Rendezvous at your London hotel in the fashionable Knightsbridge area. Rest and relax. At around 6 PM meet a Torquay based Tour Director for an early supper and briefing. Overnight London.

Tuesday 11 September:
Transfer to Paddington Station for the train ride to Torquay on the “English Riviera“. Once there and after checking into your hotel, visit Oldway Mansion, a well known local landmark, for a tour of this, the former home of sewing machine maker Isaac Merritt Singer. The mansion, standing on 17 acres of gardens, was purchased by Singer in 1871. The Maze garden with its dwarf box hedging, beautifully shaped flower beds, and topiaried trees, must not be missed. In September 1914 ‘Oldway’ was used as a hospital- The American Woman’s war relief hospital. Even the Rotunda was converted to House rows of beds for the wounded soldiers being brought back to England from the trenches of France and Belgium in the 1914-1918 War. It’s the venue for the Tea Dance which starts at 5 PM on the festival’s opening afternoon . Overnight the next four nights in Torquay.

Wednesday 12 September:
A full day following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, beginning with a viewing of the special exhibition of the Torquay Museum showcasing the Agatha Christie Centenary Exhibition featuring many exhibits loaned by the Christie family. There is a permanent retrospective of photographs, costumes and memorabilia that fills in the details of the author’s life. After lunch, take a walking tour that encompasses the many places that featured in her life and inspired her works, including Beacon Cove, where Agatha enjoyed bathing at what was then a ladies beach, and the beautiful seafront Princess Gardens, featured in The ABC Murders..Agatha had a great love of music and attended many concerts at Torquay Pavilion. This elegant building was opened in 1912 and it was here in 1913 where Agatha enjoyed a Wagerian concert with her future husband, Archie Christie. Featuring in two novels, 'The Imperial Hotel” (the “Majestic” in Peril at End House) in Torquay boasts probably one of the most suitable Christie settings imaginable. Drinking coffee in this elegant hotel, it's easy to imagine Miss Marple detecting the latest crime whilst taking in the view that stretches across to Paignton and Brixham.

Thursday 13 September:
Travel by motorcoach to Greenway for a morning visit to Agatha Christie’s fine riverside home and a guided stroll around the glorious, sometimes steep gardens. At around midday walk down hill to the quay to board The Swan and a cruise down the River Dart. Spend time in picturesque Dartmouth, take the foot ferry across to the train station for a steam hauled ride back to Paignton. This evening, either relax or attend a performance of the Hollow at the Princess Theatre.

Friday 14 September:
A morning tour that will include a visit to All Saints Church, Torre. Agatha was baptised at All Saints Church in Torquay and regularly attended Sunday services. Her father made a financial donation to the church and ensured Agatha was entered in the records as a founder member. The village church at Churston, where she endowed a beautiful new stained glass east window and try a pub lunch at the Churston Court Inn. Afternoon at leisure and then prepare for the evening Murder Mystery Ball at The Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel on Torquay's seafront is where Agatha and Archie spent Christmas in 1914 - their honeymoon. The hotel has dedicated one of their stunning 'suites' to the greatest crime writer of all time.

Saturday 15 September:
Take the 10:53 train between Exeter and London, arriving there by 1:30. Agatha Christie loved trains and they suited her gift for observation. Her autobiography describes the:
“Fascination with looking out at an entirely different world: going through mountain gorges, watching ox-carts and picturesque wagons, studying groups of people on the station platforms”

Spend the balance of the day at leisure enjoying the landmarks in London.

Sunday 16 September:
Transfers to the airport or extend the trip to explore London.

While some 215 miles south-west of London, the cluster of County Devon resorts that are known as the “English Riviera” continue to radiate the spirit of Agatha Christie. Who would enjoy the 2007 Agatha Christie Festival? Perhaps English teachers or college lecturers for whom a UK literary tour would be of interest to their students, Friends of Libraries groups where a UK fundraiser makes an eye-catching addition to the various book sales and other money making events they organize, bookstores, both general and mystery specialist, or book reading circles whose members focus on mysteries. It’s for those who would really enjoy a fiction into fact travel less, see more tour!