Biltmore Blooms Festival of Flowers: Asheville, NC

Duration: 5 Days |   Meals Included: 4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

 

Trip Highlights:

 

 

Biltmore Blooms at Biltmore Estate

Gorgeous blooms will be in full glory as 100,000 tulips welcome springtime during Biltmore's annual Biltmore Blooms. The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property, a regal French Chateau and National Historic Landmark tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville. Tulips mark the beginning of the festival, greeting visitors at Biltmore's main entrance and continuing into the Walled Garden and elsewhere around the estate. You won't want to miss the vibrant colors in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along the walking trails. Enjoy activities such as live music in the Conservatory and Winter Garden, seminars at A Gardener's Place in the Conservatory, special menus in the restaurants, and Festival of Flowers commemorative wines at the Winery. Tours are self-guided of the house (1-hour audio guide available), gardens and winery.

 

King Tut Special Exhibit at Biltmore Estate:

The King Tut Exhibit is available on your own time and at your own cost: https://www.biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/tut/

The exhibit can be seen during the time we have pre-scheduled at Antler Village. Should you wish to book this exhibit (advanced booking is REQUIRED), call: 866-851-4661 and press option 1 to book the following date and time: Tuesday, April 29 at 1:30pm. Mention that you are part of the Starr Tours Group. Your ticket must be presented to enter the exhibit and Starr personnel will not be with you during this time. Starr Bus will provide transportation to and from the exhibit. Please request an eticket to be emailed to you OR The Biltmore can mail you a ticket for a small fee. We cannot accommodate picking up tickets at will call.

 

 

Asheville, NC Sightseeing Tour

Spend time discovering downtown Asheville, the most architecturally diverse city in North Carolina. Visitors will find more Art Deco architecture here than in any other southeastern city outside of Miami Beach. Consistently ranked on American Style's list of the nation's top 25 arts destinations, Asheville is known as a collector's and shopper's paradise. During your visit, don't miss the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M. Roman Catholic Church, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

 

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley offers a great overview of the area. Experience a self-guided tour of the Historic House, filled with art and antiques furnished by one of the Valley's most significant private collectors. You'll be amazed by the six acres of spectacular gardens surrounding the historic house. The Glen Burnie Gardens are among the most beautiful public gardens in Virginia. Garden spaces range from a formal Grand Allee to a tiny Hidden Garden. The newly opened museum houses four major gallery spaces, including the Shenandoah Valley Gallery, where objects, state-of-the-art multi-media presentations, and dioramas help Valley history come alive.

 

Reynolda House

The Reynolda House is the 1917 estate of industrialist R.J. Reynolds. The 64 room home contains original furnishings, family clothing, and children's toys. This homelike background is the setting for an art collection considered to be the best selection of American art south of Washington.

 

The Grove Arcade

The Grove Arcade opened in 1929 and thrived until World War II as one of the country's leading public markets. It reopened to the public in 2002 as a destination featuring boutique shopping, exciting dining, and regional crafts in a beloved downtown setting. There are several eclectic dining options, all under one roof, ranging from a simple burger to exotic entrees from Latin America, Italy or Thailand.

 

Meal Information:

 

Dinner on day two is included at Stone Ridge Tavern. Choices are (order when seated):

• Beef Tips over Rice

• Greco Chicken

• Sesame Encrusted Atlantic Salmon

• Greek Pasta (does not include a side, it is served with salad & garlic bread)

• Baby Back Ribs

Dinner includes a choice of salad (tossed, Greek or Caesar), and choice of side (baked potato, sweet potato fries, french fries, garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, asparagus, applesauce or cole slaw). Includes chocolate cake for dessert.

 

Dinner on day four is included at Wood Grill Buffet

Dinner is served buffet-style and includes fried chicken, wings, meatloaf, pot roast, fried shrimp, fish, salad, along with a variety of sides and desserts.

 

Lunch on day five is included at Piccadilly's Public House & Restaurant. Choices are:

• New York Strip Steak

• Herb Grilled Chicken Breast: topped with Dijon supreme sauce

• Bourbon Glazed Salmon: seared and finished in a sweet and savory glaze

• Pasta Primavera

Lunch is served with a side salad, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, dessert, coffee, tea, and soda. Pasta is served with salad only.

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

 

Need to Know:

• Biltmore Estate: Biltmore Estate covers a vast area indoors and outdoors; wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in weather-appropriate layers. Guests may carry small personal bags no larger than 19" x 14" x 9"; backpacks and wheeled bags are prohibited. Clear, plastic water bottles are the only water bottles allowed. Biltmore does not accepting cash at most places; acceptable forms of payment are credit or debit cards.

• Every Starr trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• A Starr Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

• Baggage handling and related gratuties are included.

 

Accessibility:

• Biltmore Estate: Biltmore offers complimentary round-trip shuttle service from Biltmore House to the Conservatory in the Walled Garden. Biltmore House and the Winery have a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis for inside tours of these buildings. Please bring your own wheelchair to ensure your comfort and access to other areas of the estate.  

• Biltmore House: There are three floors and several flights of stairs in Biltmore House. Due to the historic architecture, only the first and second floors are accessible by wheelchair. Guests who are unable to go to the third floor and basement may visit the designated second floor rest area and watch a video of the rooms they are unable to access.

• Biltmore Gardens: The Walled Garden and Conservatory are ADA-accessible. Due to the historic nature of Biltmore, some of the formal and informal gardens are not accessible for guests with limited mobility.

• Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Day 1: Country Inn & Suites Wytheville (Wytheville, VA)

The hotel features an indoor pool, whirlpool, and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, and iron/board.

 

Days 2 and 3: Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area (Asheville, NC)

The Hampton Inn is conveniently located near the Asheville Outlets. The hotel features an indoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, and iron/board.

 

Day 4: Hyatt Place Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, VA)

The hotel features a restaurant/lounge, indoor pool, and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer, and iron/board.