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3 Days in Asheville

by Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

Fall is a fabulous time to visit Asheville, with its picturesque location ,vaunted historic hotels, vibrant and eclectic downtown and innovative food scene. All our CGs will enjoy a crisp fall hike followed by a little spa time then out for some great vino with dinner. Just two blocks from downtown is the Bunn House Hotel. This luxury boutique Inn is situated in a 1905 brick mansion with a rooftop deck and a contemporary feel inside. All of the luxury appointed rooms have a terrace or balcony and a much appreciated Nespresso coffee/espresso machine. On a slightly larger scale is the equally luxurious, Omni Grove Park Inn. (once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald) Here you can soothe your soul in the subterranean spa paradise. This top rated spa includes 20 water features, many of which are mineral based pools. Here you can enjoy 43,000 square feet of peace and quite. Adding to the coolness of this space is the lap pool with 6,500 fiber-optic stars and underwater music.

Outside of town, the bucolic Inn on Biltmore Estate enhances the 8,000 acre estate of the Biltmore House, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. The house is the largest private residence in the United States, which includes four acres of floor space - the Vanderbilt descendants still own it. Although, the estate has been open to the public since 1930. The estate houses a 10,000 -volume library, an extraordinary banquet hall and works by Sargent and Renoir, among others. Visit the Biltmore Winery, America’s most visited winery. It offers complimentary tastings of more than 20 of their handcrafted wines. Take a journey through their reds, whites, and rosés. The Biltmore Winery is definitely a place you will want to linger, with a taste of the reserve or sparkling wines and locally made truffles.

Take a culinary journey and experience Asheville’s unique Southern charm and culture with a tour through the city. Asheville Food Tours will visit up to seven careful selected eateries, restaurants and food shops in the trendy downtown area. You can enjoy a range of food tastings, from appetizers that melt in your mouth freshly cooked entrees.

Stroll through the vibrant and eclectic downtown for some shopping. In the diverse retail scene you will discover vintage apparel, independent bookstores, galleries, antiques stores and specialty shops you can’t find anywhere else mixed with name brand boutiques.

Besides, eating, drinking and spending time in the spa and shopping, Asheville is abundant with activities.

There are carriage rides, paddle board river tours, fly-fishing schools, river float trips, sporting clays, and the Land Rover Experience Driving School. And of course, horseback riding. You can take guided expeditions through the Biltmore Estate. The one or two hour guided ride is perfect for beginner to intermediate riders. A private three-hour trail ride with picnic lunch is for the experienced rider. Or you can bring your own horse and explore the 80 miles of trail with the Biltmore Equestrian Center. Charlotte Girls