Arrive Asheville, NC and check into your hotel for a three night stay.  Setting an elegant tone for this wonderful tour is a marvelous dinner tonight at one of the South’s most famous and venerable resorts, the historic Grove Park Inn.  Once upon a time guest Harry Houdini described the meal as a magical experience. (D)

This entire day is devoted to the Biltmore Estate, beginning with a tour of the Biltmore House, America’s Largest home.  This 250 room French Chateau is a real wonder.  You may also, explore the acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park.

At the end of this morning’s tour, you have lunch at The Stables Cafe.  Satisfy your appetite for house-smoked meats, Carolina barbeque, grilled burgers, and other southern favorites in a historic setting that was once the estate’s horse stable.

Following lunch your group will visit the new Antler Hill Village where you’ll experience more of Biltmore’s story.  This is where estate families socialized a century ago.  At the Biltmore Winery you delight in free wine tastings and a redesigned self-guided tour to learn how we make award-winning wines.

See Edith Vanderbilt’s rare 1913 Stevens-Duryea automobile-one of 10 in existence-on display.  Next, at the Biltmore Legacy learn more about how the Vanderbilts lived with an 8 minute film and exhibits featuring historical family photos and objects from the Biltmore collection.

If time allows or interest demands your travelers may also visit the 1900’s Farm and see life in the early 1900s with knowledgeable interpreters and exhibits in our historic Barn.

Meet friendly animals in the Farmyard and stroll the Kitchen Garden.  Returning to the hotel this evening you will have dinner on own. (B,L)

This morning it’s “All Aboard” for a scenic train adventure through the fertile valleys and rolling river gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains.  This area of Western North Carolina offers a vast array of ever changing, beautiful landscapes.

Spring brings a sweet fragrance of flowers in bloom, summer offers a cool mountain breeze and autumn’s fall foliage sets the mountains ablaze.  Truly spectacular!  Your excursion on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a 4-1/2 hour, 44 mile round trip ride along the Tuckasegee River and over the impressive Fontana Lake Trestle into the Nantahala River Gorge.

Following the train trip your afternoon is spent at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for gaming fun.  Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)