Biltmore Blooms: Festival of Flowers, Asheville NC

Duration: 4 Days | Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners

 

Trip Highlights:

 

 

Biltmore Blooms at Biltmore Estate

Gorgeous blooms will be in full glory as 100,000 tulips welcome springtime during Biltmore's annual Biltmore Blooms. The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George

Celebrate the arrival of spring during Biltmore Blooms, the estate-wide event that brings George Vanderbilt’s magnificent 8,000-acre property to life with color. Set against the backdrop of this regal French château—a National Historic Landmark nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville—this annual tradition features more than 100,000 tulips in full bloom, greeting visitors from the main entrance to the Walled Garden and throughout the estate. Stroll through the 20-acre azalea garden bursting with vibrant hues, and discover cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along scenic walking trails. Enjoy live music performances in the Conservatory and Winter Garden, engaging seminars at A Gardener’s Place, seasonal menus at estate restaurants, and exclusive Festival of Flowers commemorative wines at the Winery. Guests are invited to explore the house, gardens, and winery at their own pace with self-guided tours throughout the estate.

 

Asheville, NC Sightseeing Tour

Spend time discovering downtown Asheville, the most architecturally diverse city in North Carolina. Visitors will find more Art Deco architecture here than in any other Southeastern city outside of Miami Beach. Consistently ranked on American Style’s list of the nation’s top 25 arts destinations, Asheville is known as a collector’s and shopper’s paradise. During your visit, don’t miss the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M. Roman Catholic Church, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

 

The Grove Arcade

The Grove Arcade, which originally opened in 1929, flourished as one of the nation's leading public markets until World War II. After decades of transformation, it reopened to the public in 2002 and is now a vibrant downtown destination featuring boutique shopping, regional crafts, and a variety of unique dining experiences, all under one roof. Whether you're craving a classic burger or inspired dishes from Latin America, Italy, or Thailand, the Grove Arcade offers an array of eclectic options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

Folk Art Center

The Folk Art Center in Asheville, home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, showcases the finest traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. The center features three galleries, the Allanstand Craft Shop, a library, an Eastern National bookstore, and a Blue Ridge Parkway information desk.

 

Meal Information:

 

Dinner on day one is included at the Stone Ridge Tavern. Choices are (travelers will order when seated):

• Beef Tips over Rice

• Greco Chicken

• Sesame Encrusted Atlantic Salmon

• Greek Pasta (does not include a side- it's served with salad & garlic bread)

• Baby Back Ribs

Dinner is served with your choice of salad: tossed, Greek, or Ceasar, plus choice of side: baked potato, sweet potato fries, French fries, garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, asparagus, applesauce or coleslaw and chocolate cake with whipped cream for dessert, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Dinner on day two is included at Cornerstone Restaurant. Choices are:

• Marinated Beef Kabobs: 2 marinated skewers of filet, peppers, onions, and mushrooms grilled and served over rice finished with a citrus salsa

• Australian Sea Bass: pan fried Australian Sea Bass served over rice paired with 2 seared sea scallops and 2 pan fried jumbo shrimp finished with a sherry cream sauce

• Chicken Marsala: grilled chicken breast served with mushroom marsala sauce paired with fettuccini alfredo

• Pork Chops: 2 herb encrusted pork chops served over risotto finished with Dijon cream sauce

Dinner is served with a house salad, sauteed seasonal vegetables, chef's choice dessert, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

Need to Know:

• Biltmore Estate: The Biltmore covers a vast area indoors and outdoors; wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in weather-appropriate attire. Guests may carry small personal bags no larger than 19" x 14" x 9", Backpacks and wheeled bags are prohibited. Clear, plastic water bottles are the only water bottles allowed. Biltmore does not accepting cash; acceptable forms of payment are credit or debit cards.

• Every Eyre trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• An Eyre Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included.

 

Accessibility:

• Biltmore Estate: Biltmore offers complimentary round-trip shuttle service from Biltmore House to the Conservatory in the Walled Garden. Biltmore House and the Winery have a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis for inside tours of these buildings. Please bring your own wheelchair to ensure your comfort and access to other areas of the estate.

• Biltmore House: There are three floors and several flights of stairs in Biltmore House. Due to the historic architecture, only the first and second floors are accessible by wheelchair. Guests who are unable to go to the third floor and basement may visit the designated second floor rest area and watch a video of the rooms they are unable to access.

• Biltmore Gardens: The Walled Garden and Conservatory are ADA-accessible. Due to the historic nature of Biltmore, some of the formal and informal gardens are not accessible for guests with limited mobility.

• Eyre has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area (Asheville, NC)

The Hampton Inn is conveniently located near the Asheville Outlets. The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, and iron/board.