Solent Saunter - Portsmouth & Isle of Wight Weekend

Enjoy a weekend in the Great Waterfront City of Portsmouth and a day out on the Diamond Isle with this superb Solent Saunter getaway. The UK's only city by the sea, Portsmouth is the perfect South Coast destination with its seafaring heritage, fabulous shopping, vibrant cultural scene and stunning waterfront. You can be sure of plenty of sea air to blow the cobwebs away with a day out in Ryde on the Isle of Wight by hovercraft.Weekend Highlights
- Hotel for 3 nights with dinner & breakfast- Use of hotel leisure facilities- Return hovercraft travel to Ryde, IOW- Entrance to D-Day Story Museum- Entrance to Spinnaker Tower

Itinerary
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, continue south with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your centrally located Portsmouth hotel this afternoon, in good time to freshen up for your first evening meal together. DBB\n\nDAYS 2 - 3 At leisure in Portsmouth with two included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nDay out on the Diamond Isle\nEnjoy a day out on everyone's favourite island with a 'flight' across the Solent from Portsmouth to Ryde on the world's only year-round passenger hovercraft service. The passenger only service takes just 10 mins. Then enjoy time at leisure along Ryde's beautiful and inviting beaches or in the town's boutique shops, bars and restaurants. Or perhaps jump on the local transport to explore further afield. The Ryde Hoverport is situated next to Ryde Esplanade railway station where the Island Line operates between Ryde and Shanklin - a great way to explore the island's East Coast. Return to the mainland in the afternoon and time permitting, make a brief stop in Southsea to enjoy the delightful Victorian seafront promenade and Clarence Pier before heading back to the hotel.\n\nNB High winds and swells in the Solent may stop operation of the hovercraft service for safety reasons. The hovercraft is fully accessible with ramps and there is also capacity to carry a mobility scooter / wheelchair on board.\n\nD-Day Story & Spinnaker Tower\nThis morning's visit is to the unmissable D-Day Story, the only UK museum dedicated to telling the events of June 1944, a significant moment in history. The museum includes access onboard Landing Craft Tank 7074, the last surviving LCT to take part in the Normandy campaign. Step on board and discover its remarkable history, from construction and role on D-Day carrying up to ten tanks across the channel (not fully accessible for those with mobility issues). Inside the museum (fully accessible), discover how D-Day was planned and how the critical decisions were made to make the operation a success. A highlight is the stunning 83-metre Overlord Embroidery which tells the story of the Battle of Normandy on 34 extraordinary hand-stitched panels.\n\nLater on head over to the impressive Gunwharf Quays with over 90 premium designer outlets and 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants before an included entrance up the iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower. Experience the 'wow' of miles of spectacular views across the Solent from the 100m high viewing deck (complete with the amazing glass Sky Walk - if you dare!) as well as the open air Sky Deck at 110m.\n\nDay 4 - After a relaxed breakfast, it's time to return homewards with a suitable stop en-route and arrive back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.Holiday Inn Portsmouth
\nThe modern 4* Holiday Inn Portsmouth is ideally located just minutes from the city centre and the waterfront. \n\nThe recently refurbished guestrooms provide all mod cons, quality furnishings and exceptional comfort. They come equipped with TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, freeview entertainment, tea/coffee making facilities and a hairdryer. Singles are doubles / twins for sole use.\n\nThe Hotel has an open lobby concept with a sleek bar and contemporary restaurant. The on-site Health Club has an indoor heated pool as a fully equipped, air conditioned fitness room. There is a lift