Spring at the Biltmore Estate - Asheville, Nc

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PRESENT:

SPRING AT THE BILTMORE ESTATE - ASHEVILLE, NC

Saturday, April 25 - Sunday, April 26- 2015

Includes The Biltmore Gardens, Downton Abbey Exhibit, Wine Tasting and More!

Tour Description

Saturday- April 25, 2015

Depart from Raleigh in the morning on a full size, comfortable, 56 passenger, deluxe motor coach with rest room, Wi-Fi, power ports, DVD player and more! All motor coaches in this fleet were made in 2006 and after and all manufactured by Mercedes Benz. A light breakfast will be served on the way.

Arrive at Antler Village at the Biltmore Estate. Antler Hill Village’s name comes from the name of a “fine high ridge” found in estate records. From the Civil War into the 1930s, the ridge was the site of Antler Hall, a residence and social center for many estate families. Oral history records reveal fond memories of gatherings for estate employees, including an employee Christmas party, dances, fall fairs and classes in the evenings. The Antler Village of today is full of many shops, dining options and information about the history of the Estate. We will grab a bite to eat upon arrival on our own (restaurant information will be provided prior) and then meet at the Biltmore Winery (also located in Antler Village) for a tour and to do some wine tasting!

Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the country. Biltmore wines have been honored with countless awards and medals, and are now available in 21 states. The Biltmore winery is proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary. We will have a tour of the historic cellars and a tasting of the delicious wines from the Estate. The Vanderbilt legacy lives on in shades of red, white, and rosé!

After wine tasting, we will check into our hotel which is right next to the Biltmore Estate. The Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Asheville-Biltmore is perfectly situated for those wanting to explore key attractions. The entrance to historic Biltmore Estate is only 2 blocks away from the hotel and the Biltmore Village, just steps away. A charming, newly renovated, full-service Asheville hotel which won the “Certificate of Excellence Award” in 2014 by Trip Advisor.

After checking into the hotel, you can relax for a bit or walk to the Biltmore Village to do some shopping.

The Biltmore Village, located across from the entrance to Biltmore Estate, is home to more than 40 shops and 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks and period architecture (including the Cathedral of All Souls) make the area a delight to stroll through and explore.

Village shops and galleries offer a diverse selection of merchandise, from one-of-a-kind decorative and functional craft items, to original artwork, custom-designed jewelry, clothing, home accessories, antiques and more

Be back in time to get ready for the night ahead!

Saturday Evening- We will travel to the nearby town of Hendersonville, a charming town with a well-preserved Main Street and adjoining downtown area with many restaurants and antique shops. Its architecture reflects the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We will enjoy an included dinner downtown and then walk to the theater to our reserved seats at the Flat Rock Playhouse (Music on the Rock) to see “The Music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons” Let’s hear some of those Jersey Boys tunes!

Sunday- April 26, 2015

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Spend the morning exploring the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore House, the main house on the estate, is a Châteauesque-styled mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 square feet of floor space and 135,280 square feet of living area. Still owned by one of Vanderbilt's descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age. In 2007, it was ranked eighth in America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

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The Biltmore Gardens - One of the most beautiful times of the year to see the Gardens! Stroll acres of formal and informal gardens designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. From the beauty of the Italian Garden to the breathtaking trees in America’s first managed forest, Biltmore’s lush landscape is a living tribute to Olmsted’s genius. Horticultural experts continually work to preserve the original vision for the gardens and grounds, including our Rose Garden that features more than 250 varieties. In late April, the gardens are beautiful! Dogwoods and tulips fill the Walled Garden, Estate Entry, and Winery beds. There is a 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and other flowering shrubs will be blooming throughout the Estate.

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See the Downton Abbey exhibit. The Biltmore House is opening a new exhibit called Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times 2015 in February for just a few short months. The exhibit explores fashions of the early 1900's featured in the hit PBS series Downton Abbey and includes more than 40 costumes from the series showcased in rooms throughout Biltmore House. The groupings are inspired by the fictional show and by real life at Biltmore, with stories from the estate during the time period woven throughout the exhibition.

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After our time at the Biltmore, we will go to the Grove Park Inn. The Inn is a one-hundred-and-one-year-old historic resort hotel on the western-facing slope of Sunset Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina. It is an AAA Four-Diamond Hotel and it has been visited by many United States' presidents and many other notable personages. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Grand Lobby measures 120 feet across and features 24-foot ceilings and two 14-foot stone fireplaces. It is also famous for the elevators hidden in the chimneys of the fireplaces, which transport guests to their rooms. Walk throughout the hotel as there is a lot to see or relax in front of one of the huge stone fireplaces, grab a bite to eat at one of the wonderful restaurants or better yet, enjoy the Sunset Terrace which is the perfect outdoor locale to relax and enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, a glass of wine or local beer and a lite bite to eat, while looking out at the beautiful mountain views.

After a wonderful two days in the Asheville area, we will depart for home.

Tour Price:

Single $340.00

Double- $290.00/person

Triple- $270.00/person

Quad- $ 240.00/person

Price Includes:

• Deluxe full size motor coach transportation to and from Asheville.
• Service of a Good News Travel Tour Manager who will be with our group the entire time.
• Light breakfast included on the way to Asheville.
• Admission to Wine Tour and Tasting at the Biltmore Winery.
• Hotel accommodation at the Hilton-Double Tree Hotel including baggage handling.
• Dinner on Saturday night in downtown Hendersonville.
• Reserved tickets to “The Music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons” at Flat Rock Playhouse.
• Breakfast on Sunday morning.
• Admission to the Biltmore Estate including a tour of the Estate, the Biltmore Gardens and the Downton Abbey exhibit.
• All gratuities included except that for the Tour Manager and Driver. These are at the discretion of each guest.

Deposit of $100 is due by February 10, 2015.

Final payment is due by March 1, 2015. ($240/single, $190/double, $170/triple, $140/quad)

*** Full refund until March 1, 2015. After the final payment due date, no refund can be given.

You may pay your deposit and remaining balance by personal check and send to the Silver Connections business address:

14460 Falls of Neuse Rd.

Suite 149-320

Raleigh, NC 27614

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You may pay with any major credit or debit card or with, by clicking on the PAYMENT page of our website.

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Pay at any event. Please have payment in an envelope with your name and “The Biltmore” and “Deposit or Final Payment” written on the outside.

Very Important:

1. We must have a minimum of 30 people signed up for this trip to go. No negotiations on this count, so encourage your Silver Connections friends to join us!

2. Members are welcome to invite their outside friends and/or family to join us. Couples and singles are welcome! No former members permitted (excluding the married couples who met in our group) or individuals (who are single and 55+) who have previously traveled with us and live in the Triangle.

3. If you would like me to send your friends and/or family the above trip information, please send me their e-mail and I will be glad to send all trip details to them, along with an introduction from me and an invoice with information about paying a deposit and the final payment.

4. I will need to give Good News Travel a rooming list by February 10, 2015, so you will need to let me know, by that date, if you would prefer a single room or who your roommate(s) will be. This trip does offer single rooms, double rooms, three to a room and four to a room! *** If you know who you are rooming with, you will see a place to add this on the sign-up form. If you do not have a roommate and would like one, you will also see a place to let Laura Kay know, also on the sign-up form. There will be other members who would like to room with someone. If you would like a single room, you may put this on the sign-up form also.

Good News Travels begins each adventure with you in mind and positions you in exciting places within the US and surrounding areas to explore together. They utilize their experience of more than three decades to accomplish your goals by traveling to your favorite destinations and/or inspiring you to try something new. We free group leaders to focus their time and energy on connecting with their group and inviting others to join the fun while we handle all the details. Allow shared memories to strengthen relationships as Good News Travel seeks to introduce the world to you!

Please see the sign-up form below.

Below the sign-up form will be a list of travel companions!

This is one of the most beautiful and perfect times of the year to visit the Biltmore Estate! Come JOIN THE FUN!