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