Isle of Wight 'Royals & Rails'

\n\nTravel in deluxe style on this holiday aboard aJG Explorercoach.\n\nWith elegant resort towns, spotless beaches, old-fashioned charm and miles of unspoilt coastline, the Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing few days away. A firm favourite of Queen Victoria in the 19th century, the island is one of the UK's most popular destinations and it's easy to see why. On this fantastic break we enjoy the island's peace, tranquility and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House.What's Included?
- Return coach travel (see JG Explorer Coachestab for more info)- Ferry crossings- 4 nights at a selected hotel on the Isle of Wight (JG2 rating or JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast- Entertainment some evenings- Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde- Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam RailwayOptional Island Highlights Tour (£14pp)

Cowes
Cowes is a pretty Georgian town located at the northern tip of the Isle of Wight and is famous for its annual regatta in August. Enjoy the sights of this elegant resort, explore the boutique shops, discover the town's ornate architecture or meander around the harbour to see the flotilla of yachts and boats in this beautiful setting. Cowes also has a rich heritage and the story of the town is told through a variety of fascinating museums, from the Cowes Maritime Museum to the Wight Military and Heritage Museum.

The Isle of Wight
With a wonderful mild climate, shimmering waters and sixty miles of award-winning sandy beaches, the Isle of Wight has been a favourite coach holiday destination for generations.
Discover the incredible range of things to do for all ages and interests, from seaside towns and enchanting villages to fun-packed theme parks and magnificent heritage sites including Queen Victoria's favourite retreat, Osborne House, with spectacular grounds and sumptuous royal apartments. Or how about climbing aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for great views around the island?


Osborne House
Discover one of the Isle of Wight's highlights, Osborne House, the palatial holiday home of Queen Victoria. Built in the late 1840s in a quintessential Italian palazzo style, the stunning rural retreat boasts beautiful views across the Solent. This glorious vista reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples and according to Queen Victoria, it was 'impossible to imagine a prettier spot.'
Take an intimate glimpse of royal family life in this magnificent setting, with its sensational architecture and ornate furnishings reflecting the tastes of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. There is so much to discover, including the State Rooms, Swiss Cottage, garden terraces, colourful grounds and, of course, the delightful views down to the beautiful beaches.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Climb aboard the award-winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a beautifully-preserved railway with a history dating back to the 19th century. Enjoy the spectacular steam engines, the charm of the quiet rural stations and the beautiful scenery of the island during our wonderful day out.
The heritage railway was recognised as one of the UK's leading museum experiences by Arts Council England in 2019 and has been awarded Full Accreditation Status, meaning when you journey along the railway, you will also be experiencing a unique 10-mile museum steeped in history, heritage and natural beauty! This is an unforgettable way to capture the delights of this enchanting island, all from the comfort of the restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages.

Itinerary
Included ExcursionsOsborne House & Cowes (full day)We have the chance to explore Queen Victoria's one-time residence on the island, Osborne House. Built as a holiday home and rural retreat in the late 1840s, the Italianate palace reflects Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's tastes and boasts spectacular views across the Solent. It is no wonder that Victoria herself once said, 'it's impossible to imagine a prettier spot.' Here we take an intimate glimpse of royal family life as we wander through the magnificent Royal Apartments as well as the walled gardens and grounds where we find the charming Swiss Cottage, used by the royal children to learn household management.We then head to Cowes, a vibrant and sophisticated resort home to the world-famous regatta that swells the local population each August. Enjoy a stroll along the seafront, browse the boutique shops, or admire many of the town's ornate buildings which date from Queen Victoria's time, in the style popularised by Prince Albert.Isle of Wight Steam Railway & Ryde (full day)We journey back to a bygone era as we board the award-winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Havenstreet. Sit back and relax in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages as we enjoy the rolling views of the glorious Isle of Wight countryside. We pass through quaint rural stations, quiet hamlets and ancient woodland on our journey to the seaside resort of Ryde.Afterwards we spend some time at leisure in Ryde with its long stretch of golden sand, pretty esplanade, marina and beautiful gardens. Take a stroll along the famous 19th-century pier, the oldest in England, or admire the many boats moored in the town's busy harbour.Optional ExcursionIsland Highlights Tour - £14pp (full day)Our fantastic optional Island Highlights tour takes in this unique island's many famous sights. After Ventnor, a pretty resort built on a series of terraces, we make for Alum Bay. Here we can admire the multi-coloured cliffs and famous chalky outcrop, The Needles. Next is the historic port town of Yarmouth which contains some of the oldest architecture on the island including a 16th-century castle. We continue on to Newport, regarded as the capital of the Isle of Wight, with a historic quayside and selection of specialty shops. We return to the hotel via the pretty inland village of Godshill where we can view from the coach its charming thatched-roofed cottages and delightful medieval church.

Ryde
The Isle of Wight's largest town of Ryde is often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Island'. The pretty esplanade is home to a wonderful selection of boutiques, museums and galleries, and there's also a pretty marina to explore. Take a stroll along the popular 19th-century pier, the oldest in England, and take in the views of shimmering waters and the long stretch of golden sands.

Sandown
Join National Holidays on a stunning coach holiday and discover why Sandown is a magnet to holiday makers year after year. On the South East Coast of the Isle of Wight, lies Sandown, a typical Victorian seaside resort, yet surrounded by a stunning array of natural features. From the traditional seaside attractions of amusement arcades, beautiful blue flag beaches, a stunning esplanade and pier to nature reserves, woodlands and even a petrified forest - Sandown has them all.

JG Explorer
JG Explorer coaches\nWe are pleased to introduceJG Explorer- a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.
Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind - with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There's improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it's the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so ourJG Explorercoaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.
On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on theJG Explorer,with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.\n\nThe layout of theJG Explorerincludes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.Hotel Hotel
We'll stay at one of three well-appointed hotels on the Isle of Wight. The hotels offer en-suite rooms with tea and coffee-making facilities as well as a pleasant bar and restaurant.\n\nHolliers Hotel, Shanklin (JG2 rating)\n\nThe friendly, family-run Holliers Hotel is an 18th-century coaching inn situated in the heart of the picturesque Old Village of Shanklin. (JG2 rating)\n\nMedehamstede Hotel, Shanklin (JG2 rating)\n\nThe family-run Medehamstede Hotel is situated in the coastal town of Shanklin. Set within spacious, well-kept gardens, the Victorian building has plenty of character. (JG2 rating)\n\nShanklin Beach Hotel, Shanklin (JG2+ rating)\n\nThe Shanklin Beach Hotel is located on Shanklin's seafront, offering stunning sea views. The contemporary en-suite rooms feature satellite TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also offers a bar and restaurant with views of the esplanade. (JG2+ rating)\n\nPlease note: the Holliers Hotel has no lift or ground floor rooms and is therefore unsuitable for those with limited mobility. The Medehamstede Hotel has no lift but has some ground floor rooms (a few steps to navigate).