Join us on one of AAA Sojourns’ favorite tours and revel in the colorful history and pageantry of Pasadena’s annual New Year’s Day celebration. You’ll enjoy miles of rose-adorned floats, spirited marching bands, and high-stepping equestrians as the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade marches down the boulevard.
After the parade, cheer on the winners at Victory Park for the post-parade Showcase of Floats. Plus, for an additional charge, you may also choose to attend the revered Rose Bowl Game** for an afternoon of college football.
To round out the holiday festivities, enjoy a special New Year’s Eve dinner; attend a performance at the Crystal Cathedral of The Glory of Christmas, a show blending Christmas carols and special effects; pay a visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum; and take a Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at this 110-acre studio in the heart of Burbank.
Price includes:
• 3 nights accommodations at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
• Tickets to The Glory of Christmas Pageant (orchestra seats)
• Admission to the J. Paul Getty Museum and Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour
• Grandstand seating at the Tournament of Roses Parade (seat location is corner of West Colorado and Orange Grove and within the blocks of 414-450)
• 2010 Rose Parade Program (1 per person)
• Round-trip airport transfers; group motor coach transfer on arrival and car transfers on departure
**Rose Bowl Ticket includes transfers and lunch: $350 per person. Tickets are located in the end zone and are subject to availability. Inquire at time of booking. Upgrade ticket from Goal Line to 15 Yard Line: $450 per person.
Note: There is considerable walking on the sightseeing portion of the tour. Please plan accordingly.
Day 1 - Arrive in Los Angeles
Group airport transfers will depart from Terminal 1 of the Los Angeles International Airport to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please arrive at the hotel no later than 2:30 p.m. to ensure that you have time to check-in before a 4:30 p.m. departure for the Crystal Cathedral and the spectacular Glory of Christmas pageant. Enjoy a dessert reception this evening to meet your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Millennium Biltmore Hotel - 3 nights
Please note: The Crystal Cathedral can be chilly so please bring a sweater or coat with you.
Day 2 - J. Paul Getty Museum / Warner Brothers Studio
The Richard Meier-designed Getty Center sits atop a hill overlooking L.A., where on a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean and the mountain tops. Natural light illuminates the museum’s collections, primarily pre-20th century European art and sculpture, and European and American Photography.
Afterward, enjoy the VIP Tour at Warner Brothers Studio. The Studio itself sits on 110 acres in the heart of Burbank, California and features 29 working soundstages on the front lot and a number of versatile back lot outdoor sets seen in countless productions. Tour guides are in constant communication with the Studio’s production coordinators and whenever possible, guests are escorted onto an active soundstage or back lot film set for an up close and personal look at the sets, props, lighting and special effects that go into the making of a Warner Bros. Studios feature or TV series.
A special New Year’s Eve dinner is planned for this evening.
Day 3 - Rose Parade
Head to Pasadena early to get a good spot for the 121st annual Rose Parade. (We recommend bringing a jacket or blanket with you because it is early in the morning and it may be chilly.) This year’s theme is 2010: A Cut Above the Rest. Prepare to be dazzled by float artistry, equestrian excellence, the nation’s best marching bands and of course, miles and miles of roses! After a sit-down lunch, head to Victory Park for the post-parade of Showcase of Floats. Get a closer look at your favorites and see animated floats in action.
Please note: This is a long day with an early wake-up call, float viewing, and walking. The Parade ends at 10 a.m., and the Showcase of Floats viewing area opens at 2 p.m. After the end of the Parade passes by our group seats the group will board the motor coach and drive away from the area for lunch. This allows time for the Parade to finish, for participants to clear out of the area, and time to assemble floats in the Showcase of Floats area. You will need to walk from where the motor coach can park to the entrance to the Showcase of Floats and throughout the Showcase area. Please be prepared with comfortable waking shoes.
Optional: Head to the revered Rose Bowl Game for an afternoon of college football. A box lunch is provided for those attending the game. You will miss the Showcase of Floats today but you can make your own arrangements to see the floats when the Showcase of Floats opens again on January 2.
Day 4 - Depart Los Angeles
After breakfast transfer by car service from the hotel to Los Angeles International Airport. Please arrange flights to depart after 10:00 a.m.
