| Asheville is the perfect base from which to explore on | | | | continues in its second century with all the grace and |
| your holiday to the Carolinas. Drive just a few miles | | | | elegance it has enjoyed since its grand opening in 1895. |
| outside of town and enter into America's greatest gift | | | | This regal French Chateau, tucked in the Blue Ridge |
| to motoring - the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway. | | | | Mountains of Asheville is a National Historic Landmark. |
| Take in mile after mile of some of the most dramatic | | | | Blitmore House has 250 rooms, four acres of interior |
| views in the United States. Striking scenery unfolds in | | | | floor space, and is filled with the immense collection of |
| varied panoramas as you travel along the Blue Ridge | | | | art and furnishings of its original owner, George |
| Parkway. Superb mountain scenery and a pleasant | | | | Vanderbilt. The beauty of this grand home extends out |
| climate are the Parkway's major appeals. Its timeless | | | | of doors to its gardens and managed woodland. In all |
| popularity makes it a 'must see'. The Parkway | | | | the Blitmore Estate encompasses 8,000 acres of land! |
| traverses the highlands of Virginia and North Carolina | | | | Blitmore Village is one of the Carolina's most |
| at an average elevation of 3,000 feet and extends | | | | fascinating, unique and enjoyable shopping |
| from Shenandoah, Virginia to the Great Smoky | | | | environments. Tree-lined streets... brick side walks... |
| Mountains in North Carolina. Azaleas, rhododendrons | | | | open air dining... all combined with amazing collections of |
| and mountain laurel flower in spring. Autumn bursts | | | | one-of-a-kind merchandise. Village shops are housed in |
| brilliantly with reds of sumac, gum and maples with | | | | the original homes built in the early 1900s. |
| sassafras, tulip trees and hickory contributing their | | | | The best way to see The Great Smoky Mountain is |
| bright yellows to nature's canvas. Rhododendrons are | | | | to take The Great Smoky Mountain Railway. This |
| ablaze on the Parkway when it is spring time in the | | | | takes you through river gorges, fertile valleys, and |
| mountains. | | | | tunnels cut out of mountains. A choice of trips include: |
| Reach the top of a mountain near Asheville in about | | | | The Tuckasegee river trip, a 3½ hour journey |
| 30 seconds! That is the time it takes to ride the | | | | which passes the wreck site of the movie 'The |
| 26-storey lift built inside 500 million year old Chimney | | | | Fugitive' and travels through Cowee Tunnel, hand dug |
| Rock. But that's only the beginning. You'll find the best | | | | by convicts and the Nantahala Gorge trip which |
| of what the mountains have to offer in one incredible | | | | crosses Fontana Lake to the Nantahala Gorge |
| place: a spectacular 75-mile view, trails to a 404-foot | | | | white-water rafting area. |
| waterfall, native wildlife, rare plants and unique rock | | | | All in all there is lots to discover on your holiday to the |
| formations that otherwise would take days to find. | | | | Carolinas! |
| Blitmore House is America's largest private residence. It | | | | |