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Biltmore Estate’s Victorian Christmas Splendor and an Appalachian Mountain Christmas |
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Program Number: |
10345RJ |
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| Start
and End Dates: |
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12/2/2012 - 12/7/2012;
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| Duration: |
5 nights |
| Location: |
Montreat, North Carolina
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| Price starting at: |
$660.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city |
| Program Type:
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Holidays
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Activity Level: |
t (see description) |
| Meals: |
15;
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners |
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| Meal
Options: |
Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian; Gluten Free |
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Take part in a week filled with poetic musings, folktales and Victorian carols as you experience the beauty of the Christmas season at the fabulous Biltmore Estate. Contrast the Estate’s “gilded age” lifestyle and holiday traditions with the heart-warming history and hospitality of the Appalachian Mountain people. Sing favorite Victorian carols and hearken to poetic pleasures as you discuss the music and literature of the era. Consider those who took prominent roles in building the house and laying out the grounds of Biltmore, including Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmstead.
Highlights
• Feel a sense of childlike wonder and awe at Biltmore, decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows, poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland and thousands of ornaments, as you stroll through the house during a candlelit evening and return the next day for viewing in the daylight.
• Share three centuries of memories and recall a simpler way of life as you experience Appalachian holiday customs, food, games, music, decorations and crafts.
• Enjoy a tasty holiday dinner at Deerpark Restaurant on the Biltmore Estate.
Activity Particulars
Walking 300 yards over inclines, uneven terrain. Many stairs at Biltmore Estate; some areas accessible by elevator. Optional walking or hiking activities.
Coordinated by Montreat Conference Center.
Montreat
Originally founded as a spiritual retreat center, Montreat, nestled on Lake Susan at the foot of Graybeard Mountain, continues to be a peaceful destination for those seeking respite. Footpaths weave through the 4,000 acres of surrounding woodlands and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains offer other recreational opportunities.
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Accommodations
Beautiful conference center overlooking small lake in the center of Montreat. Spacious lounges, classrooms, fireplace and dining facilities in same building. No Accommodations option excludes breakfasts.
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Meals and Lodgings |
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Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center |
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Montreat, NC |
5 nights
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| Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center |
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Type: |
Conference Center |
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Description: |
This stately hotel overlooks a small lake. It has a beautiful, spacious lobby with a fireplace. The building was made from native stone that sparkles with mica. |
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Ship
Information: |
401 Assembly Drive, Montreat, NC 28757 |
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Contact
info: |
401 Assembly Drive
Montreat, NC 28757 USA
phone: 828-669-2911 x316
web: www.montreat.org/plan/hotel
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Room amenities: |
Rooms have a desk, a clock radio, kleenex, closets, nightstand lamps, a sink and mirror. Blankets, sheets, pillows, bath mat, and a towel set will be provided (clean towels available daily). No phones or televisions in the rooms. |
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Facility amenities: |
Wireless Internet access (with personal laptop) in the lobby. Computer in main lobby for access to email and internet. Private baths for all participants. The impressive Lobby of Assembly Inn boasts multiple couches and a massive stone fireplace, with a Baby Grand piano and large screen cable TV, as well as courtesy phones. |
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Smoking allowed: |
No |
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Elevators available: |
Yes |
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Additional nights prior: |
Rooms are not typically available, due to retreats. Participants may call to check availability. If no rooms are available, the coordinator will assist them in finding a hotel nearby. |
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Check in time: |
4:00 PM |
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Additional nights after: |
Rooms are not typically available, due to retreats. Participants may call to check availability. If no rooms are available, the coordinator will assist them in finding a hotel nearby. |
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Check out time: |
11:00 AM |
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| Transportation |
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To
Start of Program |
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Location:
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Montreat, NC
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Nearest
city or town: |
Black Mountain, NC; nearest large town: Asheville, NC
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Nearest
highway: |
Route 9 to Interstate 40 |
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Nearest
airport: |
Asheville Regional Airport
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From
End of Program |
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Location: |
Montreat, NC |
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(Additional
transportation information
same as above) |
Travel Details |
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Greenville, SC |
From Airport |
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Service: |
None - Car Required |
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Travel Time: |
1 1/2 hours, all interstate |
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Charlotte, NC |
From Airport |
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Service: |
None - Car Required |
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Travel Time: |
2 hours, all interstate |
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Knoxville, TN |
From Airport |
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Service: |
None - Car Required |
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Travel Time: |
2 hours |
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Asheville, NC |
From Airport |
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Service: |
Commercial Van/Shuttle
ETA
phone: 828-277-7008
Advanced Reservations Required |
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Per Person/One Way: |
$60 per trip, so can be shared
Prices are subject to change. |
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Travel Time: |
45 minutes |
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Distance: |
35 miles |
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arrange with Road Scholar coordinator, so she can coordinate with other participants coming in at the same time. |
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Asheville, NC |
From Bus Terminal |
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Service: |
Commercial Van/Shuttle
same as listed for airport
Advanced Reservations Required |
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Per Person/One Way: |
$40
Prices are subject to change. |
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Travel Time: |
20 minutes |
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Distance: |
18 miles |
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arrange for transport with Road Scholar coordinator at Montreat; she will coordinate times with other participants. |
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Asheville, NC |
From Airport |
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Service: |
Commercial Van/Shuttle
Black Mountain Transportation
phone: 828-230-1121
Advanced Reservations Required |
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Per Person/One Way: |
$48
Prices are subject to change. |
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Travel Time: |
45 minutes |
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Distance: |
35 miles |
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Road Scholar coordinator at Montreat can arrange shared rides. The base price is $48, and $10 is added per person for additional passengers, and the total divided among all. For example, 3 people in one trip would be $68 and $23 per person.
2 people -- $29 per person
4 people -- $21 per person |
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| Driving
Directions |
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From All Points - to Interstate 40 |
come to western North Carolina via Interstate 40; use exit 64 for Black Mountain/Montreat/Route 9 (15 miles east of Asheville, NC). At the exit, turn north on Route 9 (go through one traffic light, across a railroad track and another traffic light, and up the hill to the traffic light). Go straight across where Route 9 becomes Montreat Road, and travel approximately two miles to the Montreat entrance (stone gate). From the gate, continue approximatley 1 1/2 miles to the middle of the conference center. The Assembly Inn is on the hill on the left, across from Lake Susan. |
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The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.
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Day 3: |
(Tuesday, December 4)
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| Breakfast: | Breakfast served from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room | | Morning: | The morning course will explore (though videos and discussion) the different seasons at the Biltmore (the preparation for Christmas and the Gardens and Flowers). Mid-morning, we'll have a refreshment break to enjoy fellowship and discuss what we've learned so far...
Then, we'll return to the classroom to discuss aspects of the Gilded Age | | Lunch: | Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room | | Afternoon: | We'll board the bus for visit to the All Souls Cathedral, located in Asheville (built by George Vanderbilt as a worship center for his family and the community).
There will be time to explore the Biltmore Village area and to see the train depot and the architecture from the period.
From there, we'll go onto the Biltmore Estate grounds for our visit to the Winery (wine tasting at end of tour)
| | Dinner: | Dinner at Deerpark Restaurant, on the Biltmore Estate
This charming, rustic restaurant was originally an historic barn designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Now transformed into a courtyard restaurant with walls of windows, Deerpark Restaurant serves a generous array of Southern family-style dishes and Appalachian specialties. | | Evening: | Following dinner, we'll enter the Biltmore House for our Candlelight tour.
Biltmore House is beautiful in all seasons of the year, but the Candlelight experience is nothing short of magical. You'll see the house as the first guests of the Vanderbilts did when they first opened the home. Musicians and entertainers are on all different levels of the house. You'll go through at your own pace, and there are docents available for questions.
we will board the bus at 9:45 p.m. for departure back to Montreat
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Free Time Opportunities |
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| Montreat, NC |
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Asheville Chamber has specific information on Asheville and the surrounding area. Plenty of shops and places to visit! Enjoy a trolley tour of the city... For additional information, visit www.ashevillechamber.org
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Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt's 255-room mansion built at the end of the 19th Century, with a magnificent art collection and gardens covering 35 acres. For additional information, visit www.biltmore.com
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Black Mountain / Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce located in downtown Black Mountain.
Phone number 828 669-2300
Quaint small town with lots of unique shops to explore.
Several of these shops are "art" based -- with items the owners make.
Information on all area attractions! For additional information, visit www.exploreblackmountain.com
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Black Mountain Golf Course
Boasts the world's longest fairway. Beautiful course with views of the mountains on all sides. For additional information, visit townofblackmountain.org
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Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachians -- and offer some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere. Hiking trails abound, both in Montreat and in the surrounding area with seasonal flora and fauna.
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Carl Sandburg Home
A simple farmhouse and goat farm donated to the Park Service by Mrs. Sandburg after the famous author and poet's death. Video about the Sandburgs--his literary work--and hers in breeding goats. House kept as though they could come home any minute! For additional information, visit nps.gov/carl
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Cherokee Indian Village
The Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Unto These Hills outdoor play (seasonal).
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Chimney Rock Park
Located in the Hickory Nut Gorge. Enjoy an elevator ride up 26 stores in a granite shaft to the chimney level. Gorgeous views from the top of the "chimney," and lots of hiking trails. Admission fee required. For additional information, visit chimneyrockpark.com
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Folk Art Center
Home of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild (located on the Blue Ridge Parkway) in east Asheville For additional information, visit southernhighlandguild.org/folkart.html
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Grandfather Mountain
Located in Linvolle, NC; attractions include a mile-high swinging bridge, natural habitat area, and hiking trails For additional information, visit grandfather.com
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Harrah's Casino
Harrah's Casino on the Cherokee Indian Reservation For additional information, visit www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/che/index.html
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Linville Caverns
A 35-minute walking tour through caverns deep under the Humpback Mountain. For additional information, visit linvillecaverns.com
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Thomas Wolfe Home
The childhood home of the famous author -- includes a video about him. House has been made into a museum. For additional information, visit www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/wolfe/wolfe.htm
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