A Blue Ridge & Biltmore Holiday

Day 1 – Welcome to North Carolina

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX for our scheduled non-stop morning flight arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. In Charlotte, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and travel west to Asheville, the charming southern city tucked into the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ll begin a 5-night stay at a centrally-located, all-suites hotel in downtown Asheville with the balance of the evening at leisure.

Day 2 – Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, The Biltmore Estate

This morning we’ll join a local guide for an Asheville city tour, showcasing this vibrant city that combines city life with country roots and goes all out for the holidays! Learn about Asheville’s early settlers, famous citizens, and illustrious authors as our guide shares interesting stories and colorful anecdotes while traveling through this city rich in architecture, history and the arts. We’ll visit the Art Deco-rich downtown, the stately Grove Park historic district, the diverse Montford Area Historic District and the ever artsy and edgy River Arts District situated on the picturesque French Broad River. We’ll then travel north along “America’s Favorite Drive,” the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, to the popular Craggy Gardens region. A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other – a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. We’ll visit the Southern Highland Folk Art Center, showcasing the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians. At the 129-year-old Allanstand Craft Shop – nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America – you can browse artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more. Browse exhibitions in three galleries and interact with Southern Highland Craft Guild artisans demonstrating their craft. After an included lunch at a locals’ favorite, this afternoon we’ll visit the legendary Omni Grove Park Inn, the opulent mountain retreat renowned for its stunning architecture, luxurious amenities and breathtaking views of downtown Asheville and the ancient mountains that surround it. From its Arts and Crafts Roycroft furniture to displays of antique china and caricatures of its many famous guests, The Omni Grove Park Inn is overflowing with history. This historic property that opened in 1913 stands as a prime example of the Arts and Crafts movement in America and to one man’s contribution to the “Golden Age of Asheville.” If the thick boulder-rock walls of The Omni Grove Park Inn could talk, we’d hear stories of the captains of industry, politicians, prize-winning authors, artists, and sports legends who have walked through its massive oak doors. We’ll enjoy time at leisure to enjoy the Inn’s impeccable holiday displays and the giant rocking chairs providing a cozy spot near the enormous wreath-adorned stone fireplaces – large enough to accommodate massive 12-foot logs. In addition to dozens of lighted, decorated trees, music and the smells of evergreen, sugar and spice, the Inn will feature an incredible display of edible architecture as host of the National Gingerbread House Competition, a favorite Asheville holiday tradition for the last 30 years! This nationally recognized competition that attracts the highest quality of design, artistry and pastry expertise from across the country, features whimsical and elaborate, handmade gingerbread houses of every size, shape, complexity and theme. You’ll find quaint rustic cabins, gumdrop-adorned castles and sugar spun landscapes in these “houses” that must be built entirely from edible materials and made of at least 75 percent gingerbread. After time at leisure to freshen-up at our hotel, this evening we’ll experience Christmas at Biltmore. Dazzling by day, the Biltmore Estate is even more magical during Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Biltmore’s most beloved of holiday traditions. After an included dinner on the estate grounds, a majestic Norway spruce and pathway luminaries will welcome us to “America’s Largest Home,” as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Inside, thousands of ornaments reflect the soft glow of flickering candles, cozy flames in the fireplaces, and twinkling lights. Imagine yourself as a guest at the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895 as you view elegant Victorian decorations including bows, poinsettias, miles of glittering evergreen garlands and Christmas trees- each tree uniquely decorated to match the room in which it is located. Marvel at the 40-foot Christmas tree that towers above the formal dining hall, smell the fragrant wreaths and enjoy the live music during this magical holiday evening that is a feast for the senses. Tour the interior of the Biltmore House, admiring the holiday decorations on a grand scale, priceless paintings and antiques (including Napoleon’s chess table) at your own pace with an included audio-tour that provides background on Vanderbilts, their guests, and their staff, in addition to the surrounding architecture, design, and artwork. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 – Asheville

This morning we’ll travel just a few miles north of George Vanderbilt’s grand Biltmore Estate to a different kind of mansion – one that was nearly 50 years old when Vanderbilt’s crew began construction in 1895. A walk through the Smith-McDowell House will showcase the grandeur and historical significance that have earned the house a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Asheville’s oldest home and first mansion is one of the finest examples of antebellum architecture in North Carolina. The meticulously restored house is furnished with period pieces and every Christmas season they go all out with authentic Victorian era holiday decor, from garlands and ornaments to fresh trees and toys. Later, we’ll enjoy time at leisure strolling amongst the quaint shops and eateries in the Downton Abbey-esque Biltmore Village, originally designed to house workers from the nearby Biltmore Estate. This afternoon we’ll enjoy time at leisure at the Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, featuring a variety of unique shops, restaurants, the Biltmore Winery, the Biltmore Barn & Farmyard and The Biltmore Legacy, a museum that provides an opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection and a first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle. Later, we’ll visit the Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition, featuring a collection of Dale Chihuly’s awe-inspiring works including large-scale installations of Chandeliers, Towers, Mille Fiori, and Neon. Specially curated for Biltmore, the intimate gallery setting provides a new way to experience this world-renowned artist’s iconic creations. This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite and then experience Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum. This spectacular, open-air, walk-through experience features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes snuggled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas, the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree, the Quilt Garden, and over one million twinkling lights. You’ll be amazed by the nature-themed displays like winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a giant daisy "garden" along with enchanting details designed to delight and surprise. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 – Great Smoky Mountain National Park

We’ll join a local guide this morning and travel into Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. We’ll stop at the Visitor Center and climb approximately 3,000 feet in elevation as we travel on Newfound Gap Road, ascending through a cove hardwood, pine-oak and northern hardwood forest to an evergreen spruce-fir forest at Newfound Gap (elevation 5,049’). While standing on the Appalachian Trail with one foot in North Carolina and the other in Tennessee, we’ll take in sweeping views of the Park’s 100-plus tree species. This afternoon we’ll arrive in Gatlinburg, the charming yet bustling Tennessee mountain town that is adorned with festive lights and the spirit of the season. In the bustling heart of the Smoky Mountains – where the charm of the mountains meets the excitement of a little tourist town – we’ll enjoy time at leisure to explore downtown Gatlinburg, a district filled with a variety of shops, restaurants and moonshine distilleries. We return to Asheville late this afternoon with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

This morning we’ll travel west to Bryson City, the peaceful mountain town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a relaxing and gentle ride through the Smoky Mountains while enjoying first-class seating and an included lunch onboard. This scenic, four-hour roundtrip ride will take us 32 miles through the quiet countryside and small mountain towns as we ride the rails along the Tuckasegee River, cross the legendary (and supposedly haunted) 836-foot-long Cowee Tunnel and pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford – it’s the perfect way to experience small-town life in Western North Carolina. We’ll enjoy time at leisure during a layover in the charming historic town of Dillsboro, featuring more than 50 unique shops, and a brewery before returning by train to Bryson City. We return to Asheville this afternoon with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Journey Home

This morning we’ll visit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Museum for an introductory film and docent-guided tour through the Victorian-style home of Thomas Wolfe. Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th century American Literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of Asheville, and the Old Kentucky Home boarding house earned this historic Victorian home a place as one of American Literature’s most famous landmarks. We’ll continue to Black Mountain, the small but vibrant mountain town boasting a lively downtown filled with craft galleries and quaint shops filled with unique handmade treasures. We’ll enjoy time at leisure for exploration as well as an included lunch at the Red Rocker Inn, a Victorian bed & breakfast established in 1896. This afternoon we continue to Charlotte for a scheduled, non-stop flight arriving in Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast, Lunch)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.