This morning we’ll fly to sunny Southern California to experience what may be the most colorful New Year’s celebration around. Upon arrival, we’ll travel to our home for four nights in the city of Long Beach. Our hotel is steps from restaurants, shops, attractions, and the waterfront. Tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with the group. Meals: D

Today we’ll get to view the Rose Parade floats before the big event! We’ll see these magnificent floral floats in their final stages of preparation for the Rose Parade while visiting one of the major float building sites. We’ll see a variety of fruits, seeds, bark, grasses, and breathtaking flowers being applied to the floats by hardworking volunteers and professionals. We'll visit The Huntington: Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. This oasis of art and culture contains the most comprehensive collection of 18th and 19th century art outside of London. The gardens are just as pretty as the beauty found inside of the library. The gardens consist of 15,000 varieties of trees and plants and is home to the largest public collection of camellias and azaleas in the world. The evening is at your leisure to explore Long Beach. Meals: B, L

This morning we’ll board one of the Catalina Express ferries for a one-hour cruise to the island. These vessels offer indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a snack bar and restroom facilities on board for your comfort. As we approach the island, the misty, green peaks of Catalina Island will begin to emerge. As we get closer, we’ll see the gleaming buildings climbing the hillside above the Mediterranean-style port of Avalon and its legendary casino. Together we’ll enjoy a scenic tour of this storybook town, which is packed with boutiques, restaurants and activities. After returning to the mainland, we’ll enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner together. Meals: B, D

This morning we’ll travel to Pasadena where we have reserved, premium grandstand seats. This will be the perfect spot to watch the famous Rose Parade make its way down Colorado Boulevard. After the parade, we’ll return to the hotel for the remainder of the afternoon. This evening our farewell dinner will be a memorable occasion. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast we’ll bid farewell to new friends as we transfer back to the airport for our flight home. Meals: B