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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the conference room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review Covid-19 protocols and will adhere to local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley; riding about 5 miles, approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Walking up to 1.5 miles; paved city sidewalks. slight inclines.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will be joined by a local historian who will tell us about Asheville from its beginning as a crossroads for Native American Indians into one of the highest ranked destinations in the country over more than 200 years. We’ll learn about its history and how it became a storehouse for music, culture, arts, crafts, Art Deco architecture, and how it came to be known as the “Paris of the South.” We’ll also hear about the coming of the railroad and its role in the city’s history as well as how it was affected by the 1929 stock market crash. Next, we will board a trolley in front of the hotel for an expert led trip of Asheville. We will visit the Episcopal Cathedral of All Souls which was conceived and funded by George Vanderbilt. Our field trip will end up at our lunch venue.
Lunch: At Pack’s Tavern, built in 1907. An underground passage that led from the building’s basement to other buildings in the vicinity was used during the Prohibition era to distribute illegal “moonshine” to people who didn’t respect the dry laws.
Afternoon: We’ll board our coach for a field trip through the River Arts District. Galleries and studios run along a one-mile stretch along the French Broad River. We’ll stop at Foundy Street, which is the center for arts and crafts that go beyond the ordinary. There will be time to go in and out studio's of your choice. Some of the in-house resident artists may be working on specific crafts and welcome you to watch as you visit. Mask are required in this area. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip.
Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain at the Biltmore Estate and grounds, standing up to 2 hours at a time.
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: Evening at leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1/2 mile; sidewalks, moderate inclines.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will be joined by a long-time resident of the Southern Appalachians, a folksinger-folklorist for more than 30 years. We’ll learn about Cherokee and Appalachian history and culture as it relates to Asheville and the surrounding area. We can not go into the Basilica of St. Lawrence as a group, however, they welcome our participants to come on your own during the hours of 10 - 1 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m. on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. The Basilica was designed by Rafael Guastavino (Valencia, Spain, 1842 – Asheville, North Carolina 1908). After being commissioned by George Vanderbilt to work on Biltmore, Guastavino settled in the Asheville area and designed the basilica in 1905, a structure completed shortly after his death. It boasts the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America, a span of 58 by 82 feet.
Lunch: On your own to have what you like in downtown Asheville.
Afternoon: We will regroup in the hotel lobby at an announced time and board the motorcoach for a field trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 469 miles long, it connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Stopping at the Southern Folk Art Center, we will be amazed at the high quality craftsmanship and goods made, sold, and curated in the Southern Highlands. We’ll travel to one of the overlooks to see the beauty of the mountains and understand why this is called the “Blue” Blue Ridge. Our expert on Cherokee's will lead a walk as he tells us about the flora and fauna of the mountains and the medicinal use of plants. We'll return to the hotel after our ride.
Dinner: At a restaurant a short walk from the hotel.
Evening: As a special highlight, we’ll enjoy a performance by a folk musician who plays instruments including the fretless five-string banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, Cherokee flute, rattle, water drum, guitar, and mouth bow. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and has earned a reputation among folk music performers for his authentic style and traditional rhythms. We’ll hear traditional Appalachian and Adirondack mountain music.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 3/4 mile and standing during field trips. At Thomas Wolfe home, no elevator to second floor; approxkimately15 steps down/up-to/from dinner location.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We’ll board our motorcoach for a field trip to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial where we'll see a film about the life and times of Thomas Wolfe. As the website states, “Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th Century American Literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, ‘Look Homeward, Angel.’ Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, and the Old Kentucky Home boarding house earned the historic Victorian home a place as one of American Literature’s most famous landmarks.” We will then ride to the grand Omni Grove Park Inn. This beautiful hotel has captured the hearts of many travelers who sought the peace and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grove Park Inn has withstood time to secure a permanent spot as a landmark in history. During a self-directed exploration, we will have an opportunity to view the Inn’s historical displays.
Lunch: At the Omni Grove Park Inn.
Afternoon: Next, we'll take a short walk behind the Grove Park Inn to Grovewood Village, that once housed the Biltmore Industries weaving and woodworking operations. A docent will lead us through their classic car and textile museums. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some “down” time to explore independently, enjoy the hotel amenities, or just relax.
Dinner: At a popular restaurant just steps from our hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar during our farewell dinner.
Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!