Festive Entertainment Break on the Isle of Wight

After pickups we get to know our tour host and fellow travellers before boarding the ferry at Lymington to join our scenic cruise over to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. We enjoy some free time here to soak up the atmosphere of this charming harbour town. Brimming with history, there is time to explore the cobbled streets, quaint shops, cafés and main square, overlooked by the town's church. Later we continue around the Island, to our hotel in Sandown where we stay on a DBB basis.

After breakfast we include a fabulous journey on the local railway to Ryde. We drive you down the road to the local railway station for a return journey. Until 2021, the Island Line's rolling stock comprised of London Underground trains built in 1938, however the new fleet features converted tube trains with modern interiors and equipment. It's still very much a unique experience. Once in Ryde you will be free to explore and return to Sandown at your leisure.

Today we offer a Right Royal Optional Excursion to Osborne House. After breakfast, we head out by coach to St Mildred's Church in Whippingham, an ornate church with close links to the royal family. The current structure was partly designed by Prince Albert and the five striking pinnacles of the exterior are said to resemble castles of the Rhine. Inside, the Battenberg Chapel is a shrine to Prince Henry of Battenberg, the husband of Queen Victoria's daughter Beatrice. After time to look around, we continue to Queen Victoria's family home, Osborne House. Designed by Prince Albert to mirror an Italian Renaissance palazzo, it was a favourite retreat for Queen Victoria. With time to explore, you can view the exquisite state rooms and private royal apartments at leisure. Outside, you can stroll through the manicured gardens and make your way to Victoria's private beach. OPTIONAL EXCURSION £30 (ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS £12)

Today, we enjoy a coastal drive around the island we start the day with a visit to Shanklin. We then continue along the coast, enjoying views of Freshwater Bay and continue to the Isle of Wight Pearl Centre. From here we travel to the western reaches of the Isle of Wight for a final stop to view the iconic Needles at the Needles Park. From the cliffs, we admire these striking stacks of chalk rising out of the sea. We then complete our circular journey and return back to Sandown and our hotel.

After breakfast we leave our hotel for the last time and head to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. We will be met by a volunteer who will give our group an introduction to the site and animals. There is also a cafe for you to enjoy before we head towards Yarmouth for our ferry home. We rejoin our ferry and head home, arriving at our drop off's late afternoon.

The Royal Pier, one of Sandown’s finest Hotels, was originally built by the Victorians for Princess Beatrice as her summer residence. A centrally located hotel in Sandown, less than a 2-minute walk away from the high street which offers many shops and right on the seafront. A family owned 65 bedroom hotel, offering the friendly atmosphere of a small hotel with all the facilities, benefits and service of a large hotel boasting a swimming pool and spa and live music on most nights. All of the ensuite bedrooms are equipped with a TV and tea/coffee making facilities.