Off the Beaten Path 2026: Cotswolds & Cornwall
Hosted by Dr. Jerry DiMaria & Dr. Shelly Bartosek — your dedicated travel guides and drivers!
In 2026, we’re thrilled to offer two custom, small-group travel programs, each uniquely curated for travelers who love adventure, culture, and authenticity.
Join us for one or both programs — the choice is yours!
Special Offer
Save $350 per person when booking both programs!
Additional Details
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A non-refundable $500 deposit is required by December 1, 2026 to reserve your spot.
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Deposit (or full payment if preferred) may be made by cash, check, or Venmo.
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Participants should have average physical fitness and be able to walk for extended periods.
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Travel and health insurance are required.
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Expect authentic accommodations chosen for comfort, character, and proximity to local culture.
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Breakfast is included daily; several group meals are provided while leaving time for personal culinary exploration.
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As the Brits say — “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices!”
Ready to Join?
Reserve your spot or ask questions:
Email: dimar1jg@cmich.edu or barto1ma@cmich.edu
Travel Philosophy
Our journeys are designed for curious, flexible travelers who crave the exceptional — not the ordinary.
Each program invites you to step beyond the tourist trail and experience life Off the Beaten Path.
Program 1: The Cotswolds, England
Dates: June 1–5, 2026
Cost: $1,500 per person (double occupancy)
Single supplement: +$250
Highlights
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Explore the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds
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Guided hikes along scenic countryside paths
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Visit charming spots like Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters, and Tewkesbury Abbey
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Stop by Diddly Squat Farm Shop & Stratford-upon-Avon
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Enjoy a mix of guided experiences and free time to explore
What’s Included
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Two local guides/drivers
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Luxury minibus transportation
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4 nights’ private accommodations (exclusive to our group)
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Breakfast daily, select picnic lunches, and one group dinner
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Admission to all group activities
Itinerary Snapshot
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June 1: Arrive London Heathrow → travel to the Cotswolds
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June 2: Explore Bourton-on-the-Water, Slaughters & Tewkesbury Abbey
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June 3: Hike scenic footpaths & picnic lunch, or visit Chedworth/Woodchester Mansion
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June 4: Antiquing, shopping, and visit Stratford-upon-Avon
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June 5: Return to Heathrow or continue to Program 2: Cornwall
Note: Activities subject to change based on weather and local conditions.
Program 2: Cornwall, England
Dates: June 5–13, 2026
Cost: $2,600 per person (double occupancy)
Single supplement: +$500
Highlights
- Coastal hikes and seaside villages
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Historic landmarks like Tintagel Castle & Botallack Mine
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The Eden Project and St. Michael’s Mount
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Authentic Cornish experiences with local guides
What’s Included
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Two local guides/drivers
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Luxury minibus transportation
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8 nights’ private accommodations (exclusive to our group)
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1 night at Hilton Heathrow Terminal 4
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Breakfast daily, select picnic lunches, and one group dinner
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Admission to all group activities
Itinerary Snapshot
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June 5: Travel from London or continue from Program 1
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June 6: Explore St. Ives — beaches, art, and local shops
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June 7: Visit St. Just & Botallack (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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June 8: Step into the magic of Tintagel
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June 9: Discover Lanhydrock House & gardens
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June 10: Hike The Lizard & Kyance Cove — coastal beauty and picnic lunch
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June 11: Adventures at the Eden Project, The Mount, and/or Falmouth
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June 12: Return to Heathrow, overnight at Hilton T4
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June 13: Depart or continue your personal travels
Note: Activities subject to change based on weather and local conditions.
Dr. Shelly Bartosek and Dr. Jerry DiMaria are your program coordinators, guides, and drivers — bringing their passion for authentic travel and deep local knowledge to every journey. In 2026, they’ll lead you through two uniquely curated small-group adventures across The Cotswolds and Cornwall, showcasing the charm, culture, and hidden gems of the United Kingdom.
Their travel philosophy is simple: explore off the beaten path, embrace the unexpected, and discover the stories that make each destination unforgettable.
Study Abroad in Ireland: Culture in Business
Experience Ireland like never before! Join CMU’s faculty-led program exploring how culture shapes business across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Why Ireland?
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Immerse yourself in a unique blend of business, history, and culture in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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Engage in real-world learning: Examine how culture shapes business practices, governance, trade, and economic development across the region.
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Experience field visits, guest lectures, company tours, and cultural excursions that bring theory to life.
Program Overview
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Duration: Approx. two weeks
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Host Locations: Key cities in Ireland and Northern Ireland
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Credit: Earn academic credit toward your degree
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Instruction: Courses led by CMU faculty, complemented by local experts and industry visits
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Cultural Activities: Museums, heritage sites, cultural performances, local cuisine, and more
Highlights
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Visit global companies, local startups, and cultural landmarks
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Learn from CMU faculty and local industry experts
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Earn academic credit while gaining real-world experience
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Explore Irish culture through tours, museums, and hands-on activities
Who Should Apply
Ideal for students in business, marketing, economics, or international studies who want a short-term, guided global experience.
Why You’ll Love It
This immersive program combines business education with cultural exploration — giving you the freedom to learn creatively, travel meaningfully, and see how global connections are made.
Ready to Go Global?
Apply through the CMU Study Abroad Portal and start your journey today!
Gatherings, Not Retreats
At Circle of Self Discovery, gatherings are offered as intentional pauses — not as a recurring retreat schedule or a scaled program line.
From time to time, we host seasonal gatherings: quiet spaces designed for reflection, creativity, and meaningful connection. Some take the form of short, virtual evenings. Others unfold as half-day or full-day experiences when time and space allow.
These offerings are intentionally paced and held with care, honoring natural rhythms and the realities of full lives. Gatherings arise seasonally, not predictably — shaped by presence, capacity, and what feels meaningful in the moment.
How Gatherings Are Framed
Rather than a calendar of retreats, offerings are shared through seasonal invitations such as:
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Seasonal Gatherings
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Gatherings for Reflection & Creative Practice
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Seasonal Gatherings & Occasional Retreats
You won’t find language that implies frequency or scale. Gatherings are:
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Offered seasonally
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Shared from time to time
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Held when space allows
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Not part of a recurring schedule
2026 Seasonal Program Arc
Tending What Matters
Tending What Matters is the through-line for 2026 — a year-long arc focused on creating spaces where women can pause, reflect, and tend what feels meaningful through conversation, creativity, and gentle practice.
This arc supports both immersive small-group travel and non-travel gatherings, allowing reflection and connection to unfold in different ways — sometimes literal, sometimes closer to home.
Seasonal Offerings Overview
(Dates will be shared when each gathering is ready to be held.)
Winter · Virtual Micro Gatherings
February–March
75–90 minute weekday evening gatherings
Offered once per month during the teaching semester
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Seeds of Hope
Reflection and simple seed planting focused on patience, possibility, and quiet beginnings. -
Happy Mail
A creative evening of card-making and connection through handwritten notes. -
What We Tend Grows
A reflective gathering exploring attention, energy, and care.
Spring · Transition Gathering
April–May
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Coming Home to Self
A reflective gathering exploring authenticity, alignment, and gentle forward motion.
When space allows, this season may include a half-day, in-person gathering following the academic year.
Summer · In-Person Gatherings
June–August
The primary season for longer-format offerings. Gatherings are intentionally limited and thoughtfully spaced.
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June — Wander & Wonder (Half Day)
Curiosity, creativity, and open reflection. -
July — Tending the Garden (Full Day · Flagship Gathering)
Care, growth, rest, and renewal. -
August — Gathering What Matters (Half Day)
Integration, reflection, and re-entry.
Fall · Virtual Micro Gatherings
September–October
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Coming Home to Rhythm
Grounding and pace as routines return. -
The Pause Between Journeys
Reflection, release, and gentle closure.
Interested in future gatherings or have a question?
Feel free to reach out via email — I’m happy to connect when space allows.
Escape the ordinary and embrace the adventure.
Ready to Explore? Let’s Talk