Wonderful Spring Fling in Asheville NC/Biltmore

[murphy1]

I have always loved Asheville and especially Biltmore. It's in Western NC and a true hidden gem. I talk to so many people in Atlanta who have never gone. When I was growing up in Florida it was a treat to come here and to the beautiful mountains, it's such a beautiful part of the Country. We visited the House and grounds, barn and farm, gardens, winery (don't let the NC part fool you, they staff a French master winemaker here!), the Biltmore Village and also the famous most fancy McDonalds from the Travel Channel (pic with piano). It's a very cool, artsy town. I also had a ghost encounter. We were on one of the upper floors of Biltmore House and the only people up there on our tour. All of a sudden a window shut right in front of us all by itself! They told me they have "incidents" by the Vanderbilts and servants all the time. The Festival of Flowers is gorgeous and goes through May. Here are my pics:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...o0bsiS&notag=1

[drummerboy]

If you haven't done it yet, try to get there at Christmas season some time. DW and I went a few years ago and it's really something.

[biodtl]

Sounds like a great time. We love that area, too. We have family there, so we go pretty often and yet never run out of things to do.

[Melanie]

winery (don't let the NC part fool you, they staff a French master winemaker here!)

Hey now - NC has some good wineries, believe it or not.

Biltmore is awesome, and Ken is right - it's beautiful at Christmas. The "ornaments" on the many trees are life-size packages. Ever visited the Grove Park Inn while you are there? It's definitely worth a look, especially at Christmas.

[murphy1]

You guys are very right about Christmas, I want to go back, went a few years ago when we moved to GA.

Mel, GA has this nasty winery called Chateau Elan, I bet NC can beat the pants off anything here. I really liked the Biltmore wines, really great, I think our store sells it, too.

[SBETigg]

Sounds like such a fun trip! Love the pictures, too.

[DNS]

Thanks for sharing your pictures. We went on an unplanned trip a few years ago. We had to leave Disney a week short because of a hurricane (2004), so we headed up to Biltmore and we were so pleasantly surprised. Very nice. We plan to go back and spend a few days in the mountains also.