Biltmore Holiday: Asheville, NC

Duration: 5 Days | Meals Included: 4 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

 

Trip Highlights:

 

The Grove Arcade

Built by E.W. Grove, the visionary and creator of the Grove Park Inn, the Grove Arcade opened in 1929 and thrived until World War II as one of the country's leading public markets. The historically renovated Grove Arcade is a destination featuring boutique shopping, exciting dining, and regional crafts in a beloved downtown architectural wonder. It features a well-rounded shopping experience, from sophisticated furniture to American and Italian designer clothing to arts and crafts straight out of our mountain valleys. There are several eclectic dining options, all under one roof. Choose from a simple burger or an entree from Latin America, Italy, or Thailand.

 

Gingerbread House Display & Holiday Decorations at Omni Grove Park Inn

The National Gingerbread House Competition is a favorite Asheville holiday tradition. This nationally known display features whimsical and elaborate, handmade gingerbread houses of every size, shape, complexity and theme. You'll find quaint rustic cabins, gumdrop-adorned castles and sugar spun landscapes that'll likely inspire your own gingerbread traditions. As you enjoy the Gingerbread creations, you'll notice The Omni Grove Park Inn and its Great Hall entrance way come alive with gorgeous decorations, music and the smells of evergreen, sugar and spice. Make sure to see the Great Gingerbread House, a life-sized Gingerbread House modeled after the historic hotel.

 

Winter Lights at North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! See favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise.

 

Asheville 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. Also view the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M. Roman Catholic Church, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

 

The Biltmore Estate

Experience America’s Largest Home®, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. The luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt spans three floors and the basement. Explore the stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees through displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more.

 

Antler Hill Village at Biltmore

Antler Hill Village is a relaxing way to extend your Biltmore experience, blending the estate’s rich history with lively modern-day enjoyment. Stroll through shops and exhibits, enjoy delicious dining, visit the farmyard, and stop into the award-winning Biltmore Winery.

 

Candlelight Christmas Evening Tour of Biltmore House

Step through the gate to a glowing front lawn where a majestic Norway spruce and twinkling luminaries welcome you to Biltmore’s celebrated Candlelight Christmas Evenings, then wander the mansion’s opulent rooms filled with thousands of ornaments, the warm flicker of candlelight, and crackling fireplaces. The magic continues in Antler Hill Village, where hundreds of thousands of lights, festive displays, and charming shops create a magical winter village atmosphere.

 

Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk

Step into the magic of the season as Lynchburg’s scenic Bluffwalk transforms into a glittering winter wonderland! Enjoy dazzling light displays, live entertainment, festive photo-ops, and fun along the James River.

 

Lynchburg Community Market

Since 1783, the Lynchburg Community Market has been the beating heart of downtown—a place where farmers, makers, and neighbors come together to celebrate all things local and offer the very best products from the region.

 

Meal Information:

 

Dinner on day two is included at Cornerstone Restaurant. Choices are:

• Marinated Beef Kabobs: two marinated skewers of filet, peppers, onions, and mushrooms grilled and served over rice, finished with a citrus salsa

• Australian Sea Bass: pan fried Australian sea bass served over rice, paired with two seared sea scallops and two pan fried jumbo shrimp, finished with a sherry cream sauce

• Chicken Marsala: grilled chicken breast served with mushroom Marsala sauce, paired with fettuccini alfredo

• Pork Chops: two herb-encrusted pork chops, served over risotto, finished with Dijon cream sauce

• Vegetarian Lasagna

Dinner is served with a house salad, vegetables, and chocolate cake for dessert, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Lunch on day three is included at The Stable Cafe at the Biltmore Estate. Choices are (guests order when seated):

Menu TBA

 

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

• Beef tips over rice

• Greco chicken

• Sesame encrusted Atlantic salmon

• Greek pasta: this meal does not include a side, it is served with a salad and garlic bread

• Baby back ribs

Dinner is served with your choice of salad (tossed, Greek or Caesar) and your choice of side (baked potato, sweet potato fries, French fries, garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, asparagus, applesauce or coleslaw). Soft drinks are included, along with chocolate cake with whipped cream for dessert.

 

Lunch on day four is included at Hunt & Co. Choices are:

• Angus Burger with American cheese

• Turkey Club Sandwich

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich

• Hawkins' Special Salad with grilled chicken: fresh salad greens with tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers, red onions and cheese tossed with dressing

Lunch includes 1 scoop of ice cream for dessert, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

 

Dinner on day four is included at Depot Grille. Choices are:

• Veggie Primavera: sauteed zucchini, squash, onion, and carrots tossed with penne and basil pesto, finished with shaved parmesan cheese

• Black Bean Cakes: two pan seared black bean cakes served with baked potato and broccoli

• Smothered Chicken: two grilled chicken breasts topped with sauteed onion and peppers served with a baked potato and broccoli

• Bourbon Glazed Salmon served with a baked potato and broccoli

• Mesquite Grilled Chicken served with a baked potato and broccoli

Dinner is served with a house salad, cheesecake with raspberry sauce for dessert, along with soda, coffee, and tea.

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

Need to Know:

• This trip contains time on own with walking.

• Biltmore Estate: The 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 accept cash; 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 at hotels is included.

 

Accessibility:

• Biltmore House: There are three floors and several flights of stairs. 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. There are a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis for inside tours of these buildings.

• 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: Holiday Inn Express Wytheville (Wytheville, VA)

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

 

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

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

 

Day 4: Hilton Garden Inn Lynchburg (Lynchburg, VA)

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