The Biltmore from Pittsburgh

Day 1

6:00 AM Depart Target Monroeville, Close to the GetGo

Rest / meal stops en route to Bristol, VA/TN. Bristol’s 'Main Street' is called State Street as it is divided by the state lines of Virginia and Tennessee and is highlighted as The Birthplace of Country Music! It was on State Street in 1927 that talent scout Ralph Peer made the very first commercially produced country music recordings with The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and others, for the Victor Talking Machine Company. The recordings known as The Bristol Sessions are recognized internationally as the ‘Big Bang’ of country music. Here you will have time on your own to explore main street shops and grab a bite for lunch. Afterwards, depart for Ashville, NC where we will check in to the Embassy Suites. Relax, freshen up, and grab a bite to eat at the hotel or nearby restaurants before our evening trip to Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum. Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Return to the hotel for the evening.

Day 2

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for the Omni Grove Park Inn where you will experience the National Gingerbread House Competition and have lunch on site. Afterwards, you’ll visit The Biltmore, beginning with the Chihuly Exhibit. Discover the work of globally-renowned artist Dale Chihuly. A leader in the development of glass as a fine art, Chihuly is celebrated for architectural installations that have captivated viewers around the U.S. and throughout the world! Next, you’ll tour the mansion. Experience America’s Largest Home, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Explore the stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees through displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more. You’ll then have time to grab a bite to eat and explore the grounds on your own before returning to the hotel.

Day 3

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel before checking out. On the way home, we’ll make a stop at Tamarack
Marketplace, which features many artisanal shops, and you will have lunch here.
7:00 PM Approx return to Pittsburgh

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch