Travel blog

It was 1905 when a dark-haired girl named Hallie Woods sat solemnly on top of a float adorned with roses. Surrounded by a group of her classmates, this serious-faced student from Pasadena High school made her way down Colorado Boulevard to the cheers of the city. It was the first time in history a Rose Queen would make the storied trip. Ms. Woods was selected as the first Queen of the Tournament of Roses from among 16 other contestants, all of whom rode alongside her on a horse-drawn wagon she decorated herself.

What began as a local parade to celebrate the year-round foliage and fair weather of Pasadena, California has turned into a national past-time. On the first day of every year, people across the country tune-in to watch as the shadow of a B-1 Stealth bomber flies overhead signaling the 8:01 start of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Once a small affair, the parade now features floats with amazing animation, special effects and more than 20 million flowers, 400,000 of them roses. And just like it has for the past 129 years, the air smells like roses, the volunteers wear white and, yes, it’s still true, it doesn’t rain on this parade.

Sandwiched between the blue surf of the Pacific and the green vineyards of wine country, Pismo Beach is a laid-back beach town that begs you to slow down, take off your shoes, and stay for a while. In the heart of California’s Central Coast, this charming surfside city is where wine country meets the salty life. Here are some things you’ll want to see and do on your travels to Pismo Beach:

A monkey king reigned over the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade. The royal float, entitled ‘Journey to Success,’ was joined by surfing dogs, a 42-foot giraffe and a tiny unicorn -- all making their way down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard this past New Year’s Day. The floats at this year’s parade were noted for their sheer size, like one that broke all records for length and weight, while others dazzled on cuteness alone as did a herd of miniature horses prancing down the street.

In just one week 3,189 readers logged onto Romeo Fernandez’s TripAdvisor review of the hotels and experiences on his most recent YMT Vacations journey. His insight and advice into the Rose Parade, Grand Canyon Sunrise & Red Rocks Tour has now earned him his Senior Contributor badge and made this 77-year-old Canadian traveler a favorite of global explorers and a go-to source for newer, less-seasoned adventurers.

Back when it all began, the Rose Parade was a way for privileged families with names like Wrigley, Gamble, and Busch to show off their new home in California to friends and family back East.

It was 1890 and the group had recently taken up residence in Pasadena’s Orange Grove in palatial homes along what became known as Millionaire's Row.

Every year, YMT Vacations offers travelers a chance to venture into the world with our President, Jerre Fuqua. Not only is Jerre a very knowledgeable man, a great storyteller and a lover of people -- he’s also a lifelong traveler. While work and everyday obligations often keep him in the office, he relishes the chance to pack his bags and head out into the world. It doesn’t really matter where -- Europe, China, even the back roads of our country. Because according to Jerre, every village, every monument, every person has a story worth discovering.