This April, to coincide with the release of this fabulous new guide, travel writer Mark Rowe will be visiting Medina Bookshop in Cowes to talk about the process of putting the book together.

A professional travel writer for over 20 years, Mark Rowe contributes regularly to the Independent, Telegraph and Guardian as well as various magazines and journals including Countryfile and Nat Geo Traveller. Having previously written guides to both the Outer Hebrides and Orkney, he’s become a bit of a specialist on Islands, he first visited the Isle of Wight as a teenager returning many times over the years as birdwatcher, walker and eventually parent. His research for the book has seen him visiting the Island over thirty times, always in search of the less obvious, the more subtle joys and quirky delights that are to be enjoyed here.

There can be no more discerning critic than a seasoned travel writer, and it’s very reassuring that Mark’s love and appreciation of the Island is present throughout the book, he shines a very flattering light on so many diverse aspects from food to trees, artists, churches, even cemeteries get a mention, and his depth of understanding of the Island’s culture and history is second to none.

The idea of a ‘slow guide’ is to encourage visitors and residents alike to walk, cycle or use public transport, to slow down and savour the pleasures that might otherwise be just a blur through the car window.

Paul Armfield from Medina Bookshop has nothing but praise for the guide and says ‘At last, a guide book that does the Island justice, at 312 pages there is so much great content that even the most clued-up resident will find something new to explore, and the illustrations and maps are a delight. I’ve seen Mark talk before and he is a very entertaining speaker, in his research he turns over lots of stones and meets some very interesting characters, I really look forward to hearing what traveller’s tales he has to recount about his work putting this brilliant book together’

The talk will take place at Medina Bookshop in Cowes on the 7th April at 7pm, places are available at £6 and can be booked by calling 01983 300044, the venue is not licensed and therefore attendees are asked to bring their own refreshments.