Isle of Wight 'Royals & Rails'

None given.Description
\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.

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.

Coach Bullets
- Return coach travelon a JG Explorer Coach (seeHelpful Informationbelow)- Ferry crossings- 4 nights at a selected hotel on the Isle of Wight (JG2 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)

Search Bullets
- 4 nights at a selected hotel on the Isle of Wight (JG2 or JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast- Entertainment some evenings- Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde- Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

JG2
Hotels with a JG2 rating are a mixture of larger hotels and privately owned properties. Décor and furnishings may be simple but are clean and well maintained. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and may have tea/coffee making facilities. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. Services may be limited but efficient.

Helpful info
JG Explorer Coaches\n\nWe are pleased to introduce JG 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 our Explorer coaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on the JG 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 the JG Explorer includes 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.\n\nSelected 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\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\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\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).