Adler Planetarium All Access Pass

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.

Explore Al Madinah religion and history with City Sightseeing from the comfort of our stylish red buses. This city invites visitors and pilgrims to delve into its heritage as the second holiest city of Islam. Take the Green Line across 4 strategically selected stops. At Bus stop 1 you will find Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque), with its amazing massive architecture and beautifully arranged lights, it is built where the Islamic prophet Muhammad used to live and is currently buried. It is believed that, if you visit the mosque, your prayers are never rejected. Hop-off at Bus stop 2 to visit the Al Baquee cemetery, which holds much significance as many Muhammad's relatives and companions are buried there. It is located south-east from The Prophet Mosque, which can be seen from the cemetery. But if you are really into learning more about the history and religion of this holy city, take the Red Line and hop-on and off as many times as you like. The tour will take you to the grounds of the Uhud Battle, which took place when The Prophet left Al Madinah with a Muslim army of only 700 to defend Madinah from invasion. On this route, you can also hop-off at Al-Noor Mall and Abu Bakr Road, which stands out as the city's key landmarks for visitors to enjoy a unique and luxurious shopping experience. Go on along the Red Line and be overwhelmed by the Masjid al-Qiblatayn Mosque, where The Prophet received the command to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca, or by the Quba Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the world. Let Al Madinah and its cultural and religious heritage amaze you! Book your ticket online today!

Clearwater Beach & Lunch No barriers, no crowds, no queues just fun in the sun.  It’s off to the white sands and warm waters of beautiful Clearwater Beach.  Top up your tan, swim in the Gulf, or simply “chill” at one of Florida’s most picturesque destinations.  Your tour includes a meal voucher for lunch in a local café!      MENU   SANDWICHES (served with French fries & coleslaw)-Hot & Cold varieties   SALADS Greek-Caesar-Chef-Chicken or Tuna   PASTAS-Choice of Spaghetti-Ziti (Variety of sauces)   PIZZAS-Various toppings   GREEK SPECIALS-Chicken Souvlaki-Gyros   SEAFOOD (served with French fries & coleslaw)-Fish & Chips-Grilled Grouper Sandwich   KIDS-Burgers-Hot Dog-Chicken-Fingers-Fish & Chips   Dolphin Encounter:  (Duration Approximately 2 hours) Set off for a wonderful time out in the Gulf of Mexico in search of our beloved marine mammals. Learn what makes them so special.  As an extra you also get to feed the wild birds that also come in and join the fun.  Food is provided for the birds and drinks are provided for you. Unlimited beer, wine and soda are included.   

Glide over the fairy chimneys and rock-cut houses of Cappadocia on a 1-hour hot air balloon flight, and get spectacular views of the unique landscape from the air. Watch the sun rise over the valleys, and enjoy a Champagne toast upon your safe landing. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cappadocia at approximately 04:00 for the transfer to the launch site. Warm up from the early morning chill with complimentary coffee and tea. While you enjoy breakfast, watch the balloons as they are prepared and inflated.

The tickets to Pompeii ruins and Mt. Vesuvius are not included in the ticket price. There is an entrance fee of €15 and €12 respectively which you can pay for upon arrival. 

Upon takeoff enjoy full panoramic views of the Sydney skyline, Pacific Ocean and the historic Port Botany. Within 5 minutes your professional pilot will have you over the beautiful Sydney Harbour flying past icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House then heading along the famous Northern beaches and over the Ku Ring Gai National Park before landing at an authentic working sheep station. Once you arrive your real outback adventure begins with authentic Billy tea and fresh damper. Get an insight into the station and learn how the working dogs muster the sheep before witnessing a real shearing demonstration. Relax with a sumptuous outback BBQ lunch before trying your hand at throwing boomerangs and cracking whips like a real stockman. Your outback adventure comes to an end with a relaxing scenic flight back to civilisation.