UK ISLANDS
5 DAYS from £320
5 DAYS from £392
Osborne House © www.visitisleofwight.co.uk
Ventnor Botanic Garden
A Wight Royal Island More than half the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with award-winning beaches, spectacular scenery and a rich royal heritage, the island has plenty to offer groups.
Hidden Isle of Wight Step back in time with visits to royal residences, Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House. Or enjoy the stunning landscapes as much of the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We make our way to Portsmouth this morning for our ferry crossing to Fishbourne from where we continue to our hotel. Day 2 Osborne House This morning, we make our way to what was once Queen Victoria’s much-loved palatial seaside home, Osborne House. We visit the private apartments and state rooms as well as the beautiful gardens and Queen Victoria’s beach, where there is a bathing machine in which the Queen used to get undressed! Tying in with Queen Victoria and the 2017 film “Victoria and Abdul”, a trail has been created, Victoria’s Island Trail, to celebrate the island’s royal connections, with Osborne House being a key location on the trail. Day 3 Circular Island Tour Today, we enjoy a circular tour of the island, which boasts 60 miles of spectacular coastline and stunning scenery, affording plenty of magnificent views. We travel to the coastal town of Cowes for a 35-minute cruise of its historic harbour (May - September only). We continue to the Needles Park which boasts fabulous sea views and is home to the iconic chairlift, which operates from the clifftop at Alum Bay to the beach below where we can see the Needles Rocks and coloured sands. We then continue our journey to St Catherine’s Lighthouse—the Isle of Wight’s most famous landmark. Day 4 Isle of Wight Steam Railway This morning, we enjoy a journey on the award-winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Settling back on our leisurely 5-mile journey, we travel on two stretches of line, starting at Havenstreet Station from where we travel to Smallbrook Junction. From here, we enjoy a return trip to Havenstreet, where we embark on the next stage of our journey to Wootton, before returning again to Havenstreet. In the afternoon, we spend time at leisure in Sandown or Ryde, with time to explore all that these traditional seaside resorts have to offer including more key locations on Victoria’s Island Trail. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home via our ferry crossing.
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Carisbrooke Castle and Mottistone Gardens & Estate
This morning, we make our way to Carisbrooke Castle, a mighty medieval fortress, a prison for a tragic king and the home of Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter. The castle was key to the Isle of Wight’s defence for over nine centuries. Nowadays, the most famous residents are the Carisbrooke donkeys. We then head to Mottistone Gardens & Estate where the gardens provide a treat for the senses. Day 3 IOW Donkey Sanctuary and Ventnor Botanic Garden We spend this morning visiting the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary where donkeys in need are given a loving and forever home. We will be given an introduction to the sanctuary. Next, we head to Ventnor Botanic Gardens which lies in the remarkable microclimate at the heart of the famous ‘Undercliff.’ This unique garden is protected from the northerly winds by chalk downs. It holds the warmth from its southerly aspect so well that, along with the influence of the sea, frost is rarely known. The garden is unrivalled for its collections of subtropical plants grown unprotected. Day 4 Osborne House This morning, we make our way to what was once Queen Victoria’s much-loved seaside home, Osborne House. We visit the private apartments and state rooms as well as the beautiful gardens and Queen Victoria’s beach. Tying in with the 2017 film “Victoria and Abdul”, a trail has been created, Victoria’s Island Trail, to celebrate the island’s royal connections, with Osborne House being a key location on the trail. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home. INCLUSIONS • Return ferry crossing Portsmouth - Fishbourne
Choose either itinerary from either hotel, the choice is yours. Ask us for prices not shown
MIX & MATCH
INCLUSIONS • Return ferry crossing Portsmouth - Fishbourne
Royal Esplanade Hotel Ryde, Isle of Wight
Channel View Hotel Shanklin, Isle of Wight
The traditional, Victorian Royal Esplanade hotel enjoys a superb seaside location close to the promenade in the heart of the lively resort of Ryde, just a short walk from the centre of town. The 70 bedrooms are well-decorated and offer a mix of styles with excellent bathrooms. The restaurant and bar offer attractive decor and comfortable seating areas and there is a large entertainment lounge and a small rear outdoor terrace.
The Channel View Hotel is in a unique position on a cliff-top overlooking Shanklin bay. The dining room offers lovely sea views with meals made using fresh island produce. Guests can relax with a drink and enjoy after-dinner entertainment in comfortable and relaxed surroundings. The 56 bedrooms offer classic, comfortable decor, and come with a TV, telephone and hairdryer. Leisure facilities include an indoor pool, spa bath & sauna.
• Lift • Live entertainment on 2 nights • Coach parking is off-site & chargeable 4 Nights Half Board Twin from £320pp No Single Supplement (max 10 incl driver)
• Lift • Live entertainment on 1 night • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge 4 Nights Half Board Twin from £392pp No Single Supplement (max 7 incl driver)
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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