Grand Holland Tour - Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague incl Madurodam

Shearwater is a classic Newport-style schooner yacht, only recently recognized as a national landmark in 2009. The vessel was built by Rice Brother Corporation in East Boothbay, Maine, back in a time when yachting was a rare combination of elegance and adventure; Rice Bros. were well known for building luxury pleasure yachts and produced some 4,000 hulls over a period of 64 years. The keel was laid down on January 4, 1929 and a news clip from the Boothbay Register reflects alongside a photograph "Tyler Hodgon at the old Tide Mill is getting out timbers for the schooner to be built at Rice’s. Vessel to be built of native white oak." Traditionally built from hand-hewn native white oak, she was the last boat to be constructed at that yard - likely due to the ensuing Great Depression brought on by the Stock Market Crash that occurred later that autumn. East Boothbay was a small coastal town with shipbuilding being its only industry. About 40 workmen were employed for the construction of SHEARWATER. Her designer Theodore Donald Wells was born in Hudson Falls, N Y on October 22, 1875. He was a naval architect and marine engineer, a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and also the Institute of Naval Architects London. His education included post-graduate work at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He began his career as a member of the firm Herreshoff and Wells, N. Y. City in 1902. Working with Herreshoff no doubt had an influence on his designs, which bear similarities to many of the famous Herreshoff designed yachts of that time. From 1903 to 1907 he worked for Wintringham and Wells and then began practicing his profession under his own name. Mr. Wells joined the Navy Department in March 1917 and became Superintending Constructor of the Baltimore District U. S. N. Notable yachts designed and constructed under his supervision are "Viking" a 272 foot steel motor yacht built for George F. Baker in 1929 by Newport News and "Karina" a three masted schooner built for Robert E. Tod in 1932 by Staten Island Shipbuilding. Mr. Tod was a well-known offshore yachtsman as was his former yacht ‘Thistle", which competed in the Emperors Cup ocean race. SHEARWATER was launched on May 4, 1929 and photographs in the Boothbay Register reflect her graceful and elegant lines. Her first Captain, Leon Esterbrook of Edgarton, MA, arrived to take charge of the fitting out. Her owner Charles E Dunlap was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY and this became SHEARWATER’s first homeport after her completion in late September 1929. It was there in Oyster Bay that she first started to thrill those who sailed in luxury aboard her and those who were privileged to crew her on race day. Since her launching and documentation in Lloyd’s Register of American Yachts in 1929, she has had a colorful history and has been carefully maintained and restored to standards that few contemporary vessels are able to match and is truly a piece of American Maritime History. On November 7, 1942 SHEARWATER was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and became a member of The United States Coast Guard’s Coastal Picket Patrol during World War Two. She was painted gray and bore the numbers CG67004. Based at Little Creek, Virginia she patrolled the waters east of the Chesapeake Bay entrance and south towards Cape Hatteras. Her skipper during that period reflected on how they used their free time while out on submarine patrol to race against other yachts and in his own words "sailed in tandem with the schooner Lord Jim, racing in and out of port, up and down the east coast and winning." She was designed and built as a gaff rigged schooner but during this period was changed to a Marconi rig. She carries over 2,550 square feet while under full sail. A true veteran world cruiser, she first transited the Panama Canal in July 1946 and in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s completed a two and a half-year global circumnavigation. In December 1971 Mrs. John B. Thayer of Rosemont, wife of a former trustee and treasurer, donated SHEARWATER to the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Environmental Medicine. She was used by the university as a laboratory for research on physiological responses to the stresses of living and working underwater. Captained by James Shearson, she was fitted with compressors, generators, monitoring instruments and a small decompression chamber. She has participated in many Ancient Mariner and Classic yacht races in U S waters as well as racing in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand while on her circumnavigation in the early 1980’s. It is rumored she was once dismasted in the famous Newport to Bermuda race. She was last raced by the current owners in San Diego in May 1995 in the American Schooner Cup and finished second overall. She entered the yacht charter industry in 1966 whilst on the West Coast sailing to the Channel Islands and was again used to generate income to keep her shipshape while owned by the University of Pennsylvania. During the chartering industry’s infancy in the Caribbean, SHEARWATER was known as the " Queen of the Fleet". Today she continues this tradition offering the most unique sailing experience and has passed rigid Coast Guard inspections and can carry up to 49 passengers. We welcome you to join us for an excellent opportunity to experience the ambiance of a vintage sailing vessel while delighting in the splendors of The Manhattan sky-line, the Statue of Liberty or the beauty of the oceans beyond.

Going on a canal cruise through Amsterdam is even more fun when you know what you’re looking at. That’s why the central audio system on board the Canal Boat tells you which of the city’s highlights you’re passing by and you’ll know straightaway when to hop off. You may make use of the Wi-Fi network at the piers Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein without cost. This has been made possible by ZapFi. All Canal boats offer full toilet facilities on board.

Parks & Beach Tour  See Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean! This one hour tour takes you through one of the largest urban parks in the world to the stunning Ocean Beach. Some of the tour highlights include: California Academy of Sciences, the De Young Museum, Japanese Tea Gardens, the Conservatory of Flowers, Lincoln Park, Ocean Beach, the historic ruins of the Sutro Baths, Lands End hiking trails, the Cliff House. Official City Tour (blue route) This tour departs from Fisherman’s Wharf, taking you along Ghirardelli Square, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Marina District, before visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. At South Vista Point you can hop off the bus to walk across the 1.7 mile span of bridge, or you can explore the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and the Presidio. The tour continues into Golden Gate Park, one of the world’s largest man-made havens, ranging over more than 50 city blocks and home to 10 lakes, making it one of the most popular places to see in San Francisco. With several stops throughout the park, you can visit the California Academy of Sciences, the De Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, or the Botanical Gardens. Continuing the tour through Haight Ashbury, you will experience the so called “Hippie District”, before we head into the Civic Center area with many architectural landmarks, such as our impressive City Hall, the Opera House, Symphony Hall, the Asian Art Museum and the Public Library. From there, the tour continues to the central shopping district of San Francisco – Union Square, where you can find Macy’s Department store and hundreds of other major department stores and high end retailers. After about two hours we return towards Fisherman’s Wharf, stopping at various waterfront locations, including Pier 39 with its world-famous sea lions as well as restaurants, shopping opportunities and many attractions for more fun in San Francisco. Sausalito Tour Take this tour from South Vista Point to have the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge while driving across the bridge to North Vista Point. From there you have breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay (weather permitting), and on a nice day you can see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island and the Bay Bridge, making it a great photo stop for every visitor. The tour continues into Marin County and stops in charming Sausalito where you can hop off the bus, stroll around, shop, dine, visit various art galleries and enjoy a relaxing lunch by the waterfront. San Francisco Night Tour This live narrated 90 minute tour of San Francisco shows you the most vibrant neighborhoods of the city! With spectacular views from the top of an open top Double Decker bus, the tour covers all major sites of San Francisco and visits the most popular areas, such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Financial District, the Embarcadero, Chinatown, North Beach, and Nob Hill with its impressive Grace Cathedral. The tour includes two brief walking tours around Nob Hill and the Embarcadero for even more photo opportunities.

Tour Code: STTANA – from Anaheim Resort hotels, Long Beach and San Pedro Cruise Terminals Tour Code: STTLAB– from Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, LAX Hotels, Marina Del Rey Tour Code: STTDTLA – From Downtown LA, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal, North Hollywood

The Go San Diego® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility. Save up to 55% off retail prices on admission to over 40 top attractions and activities for one low price, including the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND® California, Safari Park, bicycle tours, kayaking, harbor tours, and more. Daily admission to SeaWorld® is included with all 3, 5, or 7 day passes. Enjoy the flexibility to choose attractions as you go and do as much as you want each day.          Save Money! Pay one low price and save up to 55% off combined admission prices.          Save Time & Hassle  - Pay nothing at the gate and skip the line at select attractions. Daily admission to SeaWorld® is included on all 3, 5, or 7 day passes          Flexibility - Create your own itinerary from over 40 attraction choices.          Freedom - No limitations. Do as much as you want each day.          Insider Info - Free guidebook and map.           Click here for a complete list of current attractions included with the Go San Diego® Card. Please note: FlowRider is closed until further notice. Please check the website for updates.            Frequently Asked Questions What do you mean by "calendar days over 2 weeks"? "Calendar days" are days on a calendar, not 24-hour periods. For example, if you activate a 3-Day Card on a Monday evening, it is valid for the remainder of Monday (1st calendar day) and any 2 additional calendar days within two weeks of activation.Tip: to get the most out of your pass, plan to visit attractions early in the day. Is this just a discount card? Will I still need to buy tickets? No. Passes include admission to each attraction; no need to pay anything at the gate. Some attractions may offer upgrades or special exhibits for an additional fee. Do I need to choose my attractions in advance? Nope, you can choose from the included attractions as you go. What is the age cut off for child cards? Child cards are for children ages 3-12. Most attractions do not charge for children under 3 years old. However, there are some exceptions (especially children's museums and attractions geared toward very young travelers). If you have a child under 3 years old, please check with the attraction directly in advance. You may be charged at the gate. How will I get my pass? When your order is complete you will receive an email with printable and Smartphone version of your Go San Diego® Card. There is nothing to Redeem, you can go right to first attraction you want to visit and start using your card immediately. How do I "activate" my card? Simply visit your first attraction! Is my card valid all day? Yes. You can enter attractions any time with the Go Card. What is your refund policy? Our Risk Free Guarantee gives you one year from your purchase date to return any non-activated passes for a full refund. How many days should I buy? Most travelers visit between 2 and 3 attractions each day depending on individual preference. Our most popular card is the 3-Day card. Does the Card expire? Yes. You have one year from the date of purchase to begin using your pass. After one year, it will expire. How much will I save? Compare the price of the pass to the gate prices of the attractions you want to visit to see how much you can save. We give you the flexibility to create your own itinerary and choose the attractions you want to visit depending on your interests. How many attractions can I visit in one day? On a Go Card, you can visit as many attractions as you want in a day. Can I visit an attraction more than once? In most cases, you can visit each attraction once per day. Some attractions are valid only once during the life of the pass. Please reference your guidebook for specific information on each attraction. Do I need to make reservations to visit the attractions? Attractions that require a reservation will display a symbol on the guidebook page. Some attractions require a credit card to hold a reservation. In these cases, your credit card will not be charged unless you do not show up for your reservation. What’s the catch? There’s no catch. Go San Diego Card has a partnership with all of the participating attractions to make your visit to San Diego as memorable as possible and to help you save time and money. Can I share my pass with a friend or sell it? No. The Card is non-transferrable and may not be re-sold. What happens if an attraction is closed or a tour is cancelled due to weather or other problem? While we do our best to ensure that all attractions are available, events happen that are out of our control. The great thing about our Card is that there are so many attractions to choose from. If an attraction is closed, or cannot be visited for some reason, we know you'll find a fun alternative in your guidebook!

City Sightseeing Melbourne With so much to do in Melbourne, you can tailor the tour to suit your preferences so you can cuddle a Koala at Melbourne Zoo in the morning, enjoy an Italian feast on Lygon Street at lunchtime, then enjoy the sunset at St Kilda Beach before heading to a concert at the Arts Centre Precinct.  This tour of Melbourne operates all year round so you can be guaranteed of a great time whenever you visit.