Biltmore Candlelight Christmas
Blue Ridge Mountain Magic
Overview
Prepare to be awed by the lavishly decorated Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina—America’s largest private home. This 250-room French Renaissance chateau was built between 1889 and 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, and touts itself as “bigger and grander” than its counterparts in Rhode Island and New York. Explore the amazing intricacies of this “little mountain escape” and as night falls, be amazed as the holiday magic comes alive by candlelight.
Immerse yourself in the yuletide oasis known as Christmas at Biltmore, where fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and thousands of sparkling ornaments fill you with joy and wonder, from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village. Dazzling by day, the house and Village become all the more magical during Candlelight Christmas Evenings. Prepare to be dazzled!
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- Stay at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
- Discover the Biltmore Mansion on a Self-Guided Audio Tour
- Candlelight Christmas Evening at the Biltmore Estate
- Dinner in the Stable Café
- Christmas Tea & entertainment in artisan hub, Berea, Kentucky
- Free time to explore and shop
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Indianapolis
- Escorted
- 3 nights accommodations
- Breakfast daily
- 1 lunch, 3 dinners
- Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Ground transportation
- Hotel baggage handling
NOTE: This itinerary includes activities where moderate walking, possibly on uneven terrain, is required. Some of the most unique sightseeing can be restrictive to motorcoaches, especially in historic areas.
Itinerary
Sun, Dec 13: Depart for the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville, North Carolina. On the way, stop for a festive Christmas Tea in the artisan town of Berea, Kentucky complete with local entertainment! Continue south into the Blue Ridge Mountains and arrive to the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate to check in for your three-night stay. A short stroll will find you in the heart of Antler Hill Village, connecting the estate’s present to the past with historical exhibits, restaurants, and unique shops. Enjoy a light dinner with your group and settle into your cozy accommodation. (Meals: Lunch, Dinner)
Mon, Dec 14: The morning greets you with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before a daytime entry to the Biltmore Estate. Discover at your own pace with an audio guide leading you room-by-room, sharing stories of Biltmore’s former residents and employees plus highlights of the home’s art and architecture. Following the tour, spend some leisure time exploring with time to have lunch on your own and perhaps take in some shopping! Tonight, spend an elegant evening at a Candlelight Christmas Evening at the Biltmore mansion, where the grandiose rooms you toured during the day transform and come to life with candles, twinkling Christmas lights, and musicians filling the halls with the sounds of the season. Then, top off the day with dinner at Biltmore’s Stable Café. (B,D)
Tue, Dec 15: Today, head to downtown Asheville to explore more of what this city has to offer during the holiday season, such as the Grove Arcade—opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove and built to celebrate the city he loved so much. Now this ornate, historic building offers a variety of shops, restaurants and events and supports local artists providing gallery space during the holiday season. Later, Gingerbread masterpieces, themed Christmas trees, thousands of glimmering lights, roaring fireplaces, and a festive buffet dinner await at The Omni Grove Park Inn, the headquarters of the National Gingerbread House Competition. See sweet creations on display and wrap up your trip with a delightful meal. (B,D)
Wed, Dec 16: Bid adieu to a landscape of holiday traditions and new-found friends, returning home with treasured memories and connections! (B)
Hotels
Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate. A short stroll from the shops, restaurants, and the Winery of Antler Hill Village, the Village Hotel is your casual, convenient home base. Highlights: in-room coffee/tea maker, refrigerator • complimentary WiFi Internet access • restaurant • bar • fitness center.
Pricing
- Complete Package
- Double P/P – $1,999
- Triple P/P – $1,849
- Single – $2,549
*Subject to change due to fuel surcharge
