December 1-4 (Monday-Thursday)

Christmas at The Grove Park Inn Resort

featuring:  The Biltmore Estate

Asheville, NC

Day 1: Welcome Aboard!  Spectacular scenery and holiday cheer fill your day as you travel into the mountains of North Carolina.  We check into the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, with its luxurious accommodations for the next three nights.  Relax and enjoy the lavish decorations, including festive trees, yards of garlands, and unique indoor and outdoor holiday displays.  This evening, experience gracious hospitality when you enjoy a delicious dinner in the main dining room.

Day 2: After a buffet breakfast we depart for a tour of Asheville with our step-on guide.  You will be amazed by the Art Deco architecture and hidden treasures of Asheville’s downtown, including the engineering wonder of the tile dome ceiling at the St. Lawrence Basilica.  This afternoon experience Christmas through the eyes of a child when you visit Smith-McDowell House Museum.  Each room in the historic home, from the kitchen to the formal parlor, is filled with boughs of magnolias, live trees, and garlands of ribbon.  Later we return to the resort to sit, relax, and experience the comforts of this fabulous resort.  This evening we are treated to an exceptional dining experience at The Red Rocker Inn.  The Inn is famous throughout the South for magnificent dinners served with a wonderful local flavor.

Day 3: After a buffet breakfast we travel to the incredible Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in America.  Explore the house and estate, the formal gardens, and the winery and be treated to a wine-tasting.  A delicious buffet lunch is included at Biltmore’s Deerpark Restaurant.  Tonight we’ll witness a special holiday celebration by the glow of evening candlelight at Christmas at Biltmore Estate.  View George Vanderbilt’s 250-room French chateau decorated with more than 35 magnificent trees.  Singing choirs and chamber music fill the air for an elaborate 19th-century Christmas.  This evening feast on a holiday dinner at the Stable Cafe.

Day 4: After a buffet breakfast we depart for home with many pleasant memories of a unique and wonderful tour full of holiday cheer, music and plenty of yuletide spirit in our hearts!  Happy Holidays!

Included:

• Escorted by Lynn Carper                              Guided tour of Asheville

• Basic amenities                                                 St. Lawrence Basilica

• 3 nights at Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa     Smith-McDowell House      
                                                                          Museum

• 3 buffet breakfasts                                            Biltmore Estate

• 1 buffet lunch                                                    Christmas at Biltmore Estate

• 3 dinners                                            Nightly entertainment in the Great Hall

• Attractions and admissions per itinerary

Price:

$759.00 Double/PP                    $719.00 Triple/PP

$699.00 Quad/PP                    $1,019.00 Single

Deposit:  $125.00/PP

Balance Due:  October 18, 2008

                                    Depart                        Return

Carney                         6:00 AM                      7:45 PM

Gunther                        6:45 AM                      7:00 PM