Asheville, North Carolina

No visit to Asheville would be complete without visiting the stunning Biltmore House, part of George Vanderbilt’s historic country estate built between 1889 and 1895. This massive “Châteauesque-style” house happens to be the largest privately owned house in the United States and sits on about 8,000 acres of land. Situated on the property is a winery, a village, a historic farm, multiple inns and guest cottages, retail shops, restaurants, beautiful gardens, and miles of hiking trails.

Begin the day with a leisurely hike on one of the estate’s many hiking trails before joining a guided tour of the mansion. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the Courtyard Market adjacent to the house and then continue the journey on a guided tour of the estate gardens.

Conclude the day with a Winery Tour and Tasting at Antler Hill Village and Winery.

Meals Included: Lunch, Evening Wine Tasting

Begin the day by taking a walk around downtown Asheville with Asheville by Foot Walking Tours. Learn about the history and culture of the city while gaining access to noteworthy sites that can only be reached by foot. Walking around a city is a great way to get to know the area, and a walking tour helps put everything into context. Once the tour has concluded, have lunch at one of the most beloved restaurants in all of Asheville: Tupelo Honey. Specializing in ‘good ole, down home Southern cooking, Tupelo Honey is a favorite amongst tourists and locals alike! Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon to do some exploring of your own, perhaps stopping to watch people dancing and playing drums in downtown’s Pritchard Park - a Friday night tradition in Asheville.

Enjoy dinner at Cucina24, a chic downtown Italian restaurant that, like many restaurants in Asheville, works closely with local growers to create a menu that reflects the local culture and flavor.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Meet your private guide in the morning and enjoy a scenic drive to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Spend the morning hiking through Pisgah National Forest and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. (All hikes are mildly or moderately challenging and are always optional.) Return to Asheville in the afternoon.

After having worked up an appetite, head to Asheville’s River Arts District for lunch. Once an industrial area, this section of the city has been turned into a bustling art scene lined with converted warehouse breweries, restaurants, art galleries, workshops, and more. Spend the afternoon strolling from one vendor to the next and watch artists at work.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Vivian, a husband-and-wife-owned restaurant serving “honest American food with big flavors that utilize the bountiful products of the region and the rich history of European cuisine.” The food at this restaurant is top-notch, and not to be missed when visiting Asheville!

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Perhaps one of the most interesting tours we’ve ever included in an AstridTravel Club Itinerary is this Forage and Feast Tour. As the name implies, this tour will indeed have you foraging for food. As strange as this might sound, Asheville is known for its “farm-to-table” cuisine, and the Asheville culinary community places a strong emphasis on locally sourced, organic ingredients. After gathering a variety of wild ingredients like greens, berries, mushrooms, and fruit, you’ll take your findings to a local chef who will prepare a custom meal using the raw foods you harvested. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!

After your “forage-to-table” meal, stroll through the North Carolina Arboretum which features over 65 acres of land with dozens of hiking trails in addition to one of the most renowned Bonsai Gardens in the world.

In the evening, venture to the historic, hillside Grovewood Village, a quaint community with a handful of museums, art galleries and artisan shops. Enjoy leisure time in the area before your Farewell Dinner at Sunset Terrace Restaurant, a beautiful fine-dining restaurant with breathtaking views.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner