Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and set out on a field trip to the extraordinary Biltmore Estate. We will have individual audio guides for our self-directed exploration as we meander through this singular achievement of Gilded Age living that was completed in 1895. We’ll get a glimpse into the luxurious living areas of the Vanderbilt family, lovingly restored to the grandeur of their time, filled with priceless, carefully-preserved artworks and furnishings.
Lunch:
At Biltmore.
Afternoon:
Our field trip will continue as we explore the Estate Gardens and Conservatory. The gardens, formal and informal, were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed parks throughout the U.S. including Central Park in New York City. Present-day horticultural experts work diligently to preserve Olmstead’s vision. The Conservatory, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1895, features hundreds of exotic plants nurtured in several purposely designed “rooms” beneath an expansive glass roof covering more than 7,000 square feet. We will be able to see the Palm House, Orchid Room, Exhibit Room, and Cool House. The conservatory was carefully placed at the lower end of the garden so as not to obstruct the view from Biltmore House. Leaving the gardens, we will ride to the Biltmore Estate Winery and adjacent Antler Hill Village with time to see and do what interests each of us most. George Vanderbilt appreciated fine wines and it was his grandson, William A. V. Cecil, who developed Biltmore’s vineyards and winery in the 1970s. Antler Hill includes a barn and farmyard recalling the lives of those who lived and worked on the estate more than a century ago with demonstrations by blacksmiths, craftspeople, woodworkers, and more. We will ride back to the hotel after our exploration of the one and only Biltmore.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.