YOUR DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
(subject to change)

MONDAY – DECEMBER 29, 2008 – Arrive Los Angeles (Welcome Reception)

Welcome to Los Angeles and Cartan’s 2008/2009 Rose Parade celebration.  Cartan Tours will be providing transfers from Los Angeles International Airport to the Ayres Hotel, between 9AM and 4:30PM.  If you are arriving outside of these hours or adding extra Nights, you will have to take a taxi to the hotel.  The cost will be about $20.00.  The hotel is just 15 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport.  When you arrive at the hotel, a Cartan Staff member will be waiting to welcome you and assist with your check-in arrangements.  The Ayres Hotel is a wonderful place to stay.  The design is elegant, but the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting with “Old World Charm”.  The time between your busy Rose Parade activities, finds you in comfortable and spacious surroundings.  This evening, join your Cartan representatives for a welcome reception with light refreshments.  Here you will meet other members of your group and your Cartan representative will review your activities and schedule for the days ahead.  Dinner is on your own.  The hotel restaurant offers an excellent European menu and the nearby restaurants offer a range of menu choices designed for every budget.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2008 – Float Construction Viewing, Fanfest, and The Glory of Christmas pageant (Breakfast)

Most mornings, you will be treated to a full American style breakfast.  Today is a busy day but sure to be filled with wonderful memories.  Following breakfast we are on our way to Pasadena to enjoy the activities surrounding the Rose Parade.  The viewing of the floats up-close and in living color has always been an exciting activity.  This is your chance to see the detail of the vast array of flowers, seeds, and natural materials that cover these massive floats.   “Fanfest” activities vary from year to year but they always provide some tasty food and provide a chance to buy official Rose Parade souvenirs.

We will return to back to the hotel to relax and freshen-up prior to departing for Garden Grove― home to the beautiful Crystal Cathedral.  Each year they perform “The Glory of Christmas” pageant, telling of the birth of Jesus.  The performance is unparalleled.  You will be astounded when you see live camels walking onto the stage, and be delighted by flying angels.

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 31, 2008 Greater Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour, The Farmers Market and New Years Eve Dinner (Breakfast & Dinner)

Los Angeles is a fascinating place.  Today you take a look at many of the places that Southern Californians call home.  Santa Monica, Bel Air and Beverly Hills showcase every style of home from humble bungalow to breathtaking estates.  See Rodeo Drive all dressed up for the holidays, drive along Sunset Strip before stopping at Graumann’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Have your picture taken with a movie character or look for your favorite performers star.  There is plenty of souvenir shops with unique products to keep you entertained.

Our next stop is Los Angeles “famed” Farmers Market.  The Farmers Market has been in continuous operation for over 69 years and boasts of shops with merchandise, and food you will not find anywhere else!  For example, the “senior doughnut makers” at Bob’s Doughnuts start work at 4:30am in order to bake about 1,000 doughnuts each day. “The Grove” located across the street from the Farmers Market features upscale shopping in a very pretty setting.  Designed to make you feel like you are in a small town, an old world trolley gets you from one end to the other.  Beautiful holiday decorations and huge Christmas trees make this a very festive place to spend some time.

We will return to the hotel with plenty of time to freshen up for our New Years Eve dinner at the hotel.  If later in the evening you decide to see how Californians welcome the New Year, you will find a number of Nightspots close to the hotel.

THURSDAY – JANUARY 1, 2009 Rose Parade (Breakfast & Boxed Lunch)

An early morning is in order as you do not want to miss a moment of the 2009 Rose Parade.  Cartan’s Rose Parade package always includes top category reserved parade seats.  We have reserved grandstand seats on West Colorado.  This puts you at the start of the parade. From this vantage point, the smell of flowers fills the air.  The bands are in tune, the floats are ready and you are about to experience the thrill of watching the Rose Parade!  After the parade, enjoy a delicious boxed lunch as we return to the Ayres Hotel.  This afternoon, we will offer those who are interested a visit to one of the local beach communities.  The coaches will stay a couple hours, so you will have a chance to see the ocean and walk along the boardwalk.  

-OR-

You may purchase our optional “Post-Parade Showcase of Floats” package.  This is a limited opportunity to view the floats after they complete the parade route.  We are offering this package for an additional $25.00 per person.  Following the parade, we will take you to this special viewing at Victory Park.  The viewing of the floats is a self-directed, walking tour.  Guests who elect to purchase this package should note that our coaches will depart Pasadena about 4pm.  It will be a long day, but for flower-lovers, we are sure a rewarding one.  Reservations for “Post-Parade Showcase of Floats” will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

FRIDAY – JANUARY 2, 2009 (Breakfast – departure time permitting)

This morning after breakfast you will have an assigned transfer time to Los Angeles International Airport.  Your Cartan representative will be available to assist you with your transfer to the airport.