#ashevile

[unofficialchronicle]

North Carolina Glass Center! 

[vasavic]

Biltmore, Asheville

It was a gorgeous drive descending Shenandoah and out of the park,  we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful drive from Virginia to Carolinas. We debated whether we should go to Gatlinburg in Smoky mountains or Asheville. We finally decided Asheville as our destination as planned before. As we drove to Asheville, Blue Ridge parkway offered amazing views and stunning drive. It was fun to not finalize all the details of the trip but improvise it as we go, it was a different and new experience for me but I was beginning to enjoy the little uncertainty and thrill that gave it. I was researching in the car where is the best place to stay in Asheville and we finally zeroed in to stay inside the Biltmore estate Village Hotel. There are couple of reasons to this, if you love nature but enjoy a bit of luxury, this is the place for you. You’re surrounded with the beautiful mountains and hospitality  of the Biltmore estate. I never knew there was an American royalty but seemed like Vanderbilt’s were just that.

Biltmore estate belonged to Vanderbilt family.  George Vanderbilt was a visionary to see the potential of the property standing on a wooden deck. He hosted a lot of friends and family and Biltmore estate was a hub for social gatherings back in the day. George Vanderbilt’s intention was the guests can come there to rejuvenate, recharge themselves and go into world to do what they need to do. Biltmore estates is an architectural marvel built focusing on the views around it, every room was built with a specific theme in mind. He was an avid reader and his library is filled with 25000 books from his personal collection, this library has a huge fireplace and a ceiling that is older than the house itself shipped all the way from Venice, this is connected to every room so that guests can come in anytime they needed to. Another room which I was awestruck with was the dining hall, it has a paneled wooden ceiling, wrought iron chandeliers, 3 fire places, this place not only looked majestic, royal but one imagine great food and interesting conversations that took place in this very place. My favorite place in the estate was the courtyard which has glass ceilings and light pouring into this place which is located in the middle of the ground floor. This is like a modern day sun room where your plants can thrive and can be a favorite hangout place. This place has 3 floors and a basement. 2nd and 3rd floors has cozy bedrooms for the Vanderbilt's and their guests. One thing that stood out for me was the humility of George Vanderbilt, he pays tribute to the architects Richard Morris Hunt who build the estates and Frederic Law Olmsted, the landscaping architect by installing their life sized portraits in the heart of the second floor sitting parlor. Another stand out of this estate is the gardens around it which was architected by the same artist who designed Central Park in NYC. It has pools, gym and electricity back in the day. This is truly an engineering marvel with marvelous views from every corner of the house. Visit this place just to transport yourself to that era and enjoy the views while you are at it. 

We explored this estate and gardens, enjoyed the beautiful sunny day and sat out in some of the porches just to enjoy the amazing landscapes and mountain views to our hearts content and closed the day with dinner at The Inn at Biltmore estates, and the food was just amazing. 

Day 2:  Biltmore House, Gardens and Estates, Ashville Food:  Cedric’s Tavern, The Inn, Biltmore Estates

[meli-cottage]

Asheville, North Carolina

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[modernmommy]

Catawba Falls

One of my favorite memories from our spring break road trip this year, was a hike we did while we were in Asheville. We drove about 25 minutes east of Asheville to Catawba Falls, near Old Fort, North Carolina, to hike this trail. There is plenty of parking and a bathroom at the start of the trail. The hike itself is about 2.5 miles roundtrip, and classified as a family friendly, moderate hike. You do walk up some steep inclines for the first mile or so, and parts of the trail were muddy, so wear good shoes. You are hiking next to a river the entire time, and see many small waterfalls before you get to see the big one at the top. This hike was so scenic and peaceful, and definitely a highlight of our trip.

*When you are headed back to Asheville, stop off for a meal at Okie Dokie Smokehouse. Some of the best BBQ I’ve eaten!

[sacredlotustattoo]

Tattoo by Amy Ross at Sacred Lotus Tattoo in Asheville, NC. See more at:

www.sacredlotustattoo.com

IG: @amydooz

[minorcan]

Watch our new video over at Mountain Xpress!

[minorcan]

New video coming soon...