North Carolina’s Natural Beauty

We will travel south through Music City, USA to Chattanooga, TN.

Today, we will travel to Brasstown Bald Visitor Center, which sits atop Georgia’s highest mountain surrounded by the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. We continue on to Brevard, NC, for two nights. (B,L,D)

Our day begins with a visit to the Pisgah Ranger Station, offering breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A short drive takes us to the Cradle of Forestry and the Forest Discovery Center. Tonight, we have dinner and entertainment at 185 King Street. (B,L,D)

Today, a local guide will take us to Looking Glass Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. We follow a scenic route to Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. We continue on to Asheville, where we will meet a local guide for a city tour. Asheville will be our home for the next four nights. (B)

Our adventure continues today with a stop at the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, home to more than 2000 species of plants. From the bridge, visitors can look upstream to view the famous Chimney Rock and downstream where the river flows into Lake Lure, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. We will have a covered boat tour and listen to the legends of the lake history of Hickory Nut Gorge. We proceed to Chimney Rock State Park, a nature lover’s paradise with spectacular views. We will have a catered lunch at the pavilion. Dinner this evening will be at the Moose Cafe. (B,L,D)

We spend the day today visiting the Biltmore Estate, America’s family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. We will have time to explore the gardens, do wine tasting and have lunch at the Biltmore in one of their spectacular restaurants. Tonight, we travel to the Red Rocker Inn, an 1896 Victorian Bed and Breakfast, for dinner in their casual fine dining restaurant in the town of Black Mountain. (B,L,D)

Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel to Grandfather Mountain, named by pioneers who recognized the face of an old man on one of the cliffs. Grandfather Mountain is home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wildlife Habitats, and the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. We then head to Emerald Village, a historical attraction nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dinner will be at the #3 Grill operated by a small local family passionate about flavor. (B,D)

Today we begin our journey toward home through the state of Tennessee to Nashville. Tonight, we will board the General Jackson Showboat, the grandest vessel afloat, for a legendary dinner cruise down the Cumberland River. (B,D)

This morning we will meet a local guide for a Nashville city tour then it’s time to sit back and enjoy the ride home. (B)