Witness the creativity, ingenuity and artistry of the 103rd Grand Floral Parade in Portland, a hallmark event that the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) consistently calls the “Cleanest & Greenest” Festival in America. It’s also one of the top two floral parades in the U.S. and, in 2007, the IFEA named it Best Festival in the World.

Before taking your indoor seats at the parade to marvel at miles of fragrant, all-floral floats and tap your feet to marching bands from across the country, you’ll visit Guide Dogs for the Blind school. Founded in 1942, it is the West Coast's first facility dedicated to training service animals for the visually impaired. Your tour fare includes a $25 donation to the school, matched by AAA Sojourns.

There will also be time to tour Portland and its spectacular surroundings. Browse America's longest-running open-air crafts market, Portland Saturday Market; journey to the Columbia River Gorge and view its spectacular waterfalls; visit Washington Park, home the International Rose Test Gardens; and savor a private chocolate tasting at specialty shop Cacao.

Price includes:
• 3 nights accommodations at the Paramount Hotel
• Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
• Premier indoor seating at the 103rd Portland International Grand Floral Parade
• Scenic drive of the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge
• Visits to: Annual Spring Rose Show; International Rose Test Gardens in Washington Park; Guide Dogs for the Blind school; Portland Saturday Market; and private chocolate tasting at Cacao
• Also includes: A $25 per person donation to the Guide Dogs for the Blind school, to be matched by AAA Sojourns

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Single supplement may apply. Unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement and vary by provider. Offers valid for new bookings only. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only. Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice. Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers policies. Black out dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication, but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Day 1 - Arrive Portland
Arrive in Portland and make your own way to the Paramount Hotel, the only hotel among other downtown Portland hotels to be one block from the Portland Art Museum, Nordstrom, Pioneer Square, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, MAX Line, theatres, restaurants, and more. In the afternoon, your guide will meet you and your group and take you to the Rose Show (guests should plan to arrive in Portland by 2 p.m.). Enjoy a Welcome dinner with your group this evening.
Accommodation: Paramount Hotel - 3 nights

Day 2 - Guide Dogs for the Blind & the Columbia River Gorge
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, make a quick stop at Washington Park to see the International Rose Test Gardens. Then head east to tour the West Coast’s first facility dedicated to training service animals for the visually impaired – The Guide Dogs for the Blind School, founded in 1942. Your tour price includes a donation which is matched by AAA Sojourns and presented on behalf of the group.

Continue around beautiful Mt. Hood and journey through the magnificent Columbia River Gorge. See the Gorges’ most spectacular waterfalls, Multnomah Falls, Latourell, Wakkeena and Horsetail Falls from your coach windows. Stop at Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam Interpretive Center and Fish Hatchery for a visit. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 3 – 103rd Annual Rose Festival Parade
Hop aboard the Portland light rail, known as the MAX, to Memorial Coliseum, where reserved indoor seats await you for the Portland Rose Festival Association’s 103rd Grand Floral Parade. The parade features miles of all-floral floats and marching bands from all over the country. There will be time after the parade to visit Portland Saturday Market on your own. This is America’s longest running open-air crafts market with over 300 artists exhibiting their wares which include everything from garden sculptures to fine jewelry to portraits.

Enjoy a Farewell dinner and an abundance of seafood at Jake’s Famous Crawfish House, a downtown Portland landmark. Then stop for a taste of desert in a private chocolate tasting at Cacao. Cacao features a hand-picked selection of chocolate from around the world, including an extensive range of premium solid chocolate bars, select handmade chocolates, and exclusive drinking and hot chocolates.

Day 4 - Depart Portland
Following breakfast, make your own way to the airport for your return home.