Lying just off Englandﾒs south coast, the Isle of Wight has been a popular holiday spot since Queen Victoria decided to spend her summers here. Osborne House, the vast Italianate villa she had built, is now open to the public. The east of the island is rimmed by splendid beaches bordered by quaint seaside resorts. In the west, thereﾒs a change of scenery: Alum Bayﾒs distinctive sandstone cliffs and the famous Needles, three rocky spurs rising out of the sea. A temperate climate coupled with rural landscapes and pretty villages make the Isle of Wight a charming destination.