Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Liisa Sullivan

The weather outside may be frightful, but the winter sports scene in Western North Carolina is delightful! Asheville is located a short, 30-minute drive from some of the best winter sports venues in the southeast. This makes Asheville the perfect southern city to enjoy a winter mountain getaway while enjoying all the charm that the city has to offer.

Winter Sports: Planning a North Carolina Mountain Getaway

Asheville is perfectly located and easily accessible for those last-minute vacationers who reside in major southern cities such as Raleigh/Durham, Atlanta and Charlotte. Individuals who crave winter activities will have access to some of the highest mountain resorts in the Asheville region. Asheville offers winter sports such as tubing, snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating. Whether it’s a romantic ski weekend for two or a family vacation, this area has something for everyone. While the outlaying areas get as much snow as some of the famous New England winter-sports destinations, the city of Asheville does not get as much snow which makes travel to and from these points of interest simple and safe.

The area boasts seven ski resorts and several tubing areas. Accommodations range from the simple to luxury hotel-condo rentals that offer full concierge services for those who want to be pampered in style.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced winter sportsman, there are sport venues to satisfy all needs. And, just as these choices abound, post-winter adventure time in the Asheville area is also varied.

Take Advantage of Concierge Services

With so many things to do in the winter months of Western North Carolina, many visitors are taking advantage of the latest trend in service — concierge services. Concierge services help people to find the best restaurants and most-current events. During winter, they can help you to enjoy your après ski time; place your vacation time in the hands of the experts.

Concierge services are offered at several of Asheville’s latest luxury hotels, including the Residences at Biltmore where James Gibson, Managing Director, explains that, “With one simple call, all your vacation needs and plans are met. Upon our guests’ arrival, all they have left to do is to enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy their North Carolina mountain getaway. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Après Ski: Vacation Travel Planner

After visiting one of the many winter sports areas, it’s nice to have the creature comforts to soothe the body. Spas, fireplaces and cozy corners exist all over the Asheville area. This makes Asheville the perfect luxury accommodation destination; it provides more options than staying slope side.

Being able to have a true winter mountain getaway within the confines of this cosmopolitan, southern city gives you a multitude of vacation travel planning options. This city has it all within minutes of many luxury hotels and condo rentals.

Asheville is also quickly becoming well known for its world-class culinary offerings and is also a music lover’s dream. With venues such as the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and the nationally-recognized Orange Peel, it’s easy to catch a great show after a day of winter activities. Ice skating indoors is as easy as taking a brisk walk over to the Asheville Civic Center. Gliding around the rink is only $5 per person. Call to check for dates and times at: (828) 259-5736, or ask concierge services to set it up for you.

With all that Asheville has to offer, it makes it the number one choice in the southeast for winter sports enthusiasts and also makes the perfect winter mountain getaway.

To see a full listing of winter sports destinations and a list of things to do in the Asheville area, visit the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s web site at: http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/seasonal-fun/asheville-in-winter/index.aspx

Liisa Sullivan lives just outside of Asheville in Weaverville, NC and writes for luxury living and lifestyle magazines. Visit http://www.residencesatbiltmore.com/hospitality or email concierge@residencesatbiltmore.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liisa_Sullivan

By Jane Kayton

In 2007 issues like pollution, cancer and global warming are found on the American news every week. In the last five years these universal problems have been acknowledged and started to emerge in mainstream consciousness. Solutions such as renewable energy, green building and organic farming are now hot topics being talked about on TV, in newspapers and on the radio. In order to preserve the planet for future generations, it is essential that natural green building is embraced and eco homes and other green practices become the standard. One community that is leading the way is a beautiful city nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains: Asheville, North Carolina.

Working Together to Preserve Western North Carolina

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of WNC environmental concerns are a top priority. Preserving the natural environment of the mountains insures the health and safety of communities throughout the region. The city of Asheville, along with other counties and towns in WNC, like Black Mountain, recognizes that green space, green building and alternative resources are the wave of the future. Asheville is home to numerous green projects and initiatives. Blue Ridge BioFuels is an organization that has opened six biodiesel pumps at gas stations in the area. Blue Ridge BioFuels also supplies BioHeat for furnaces. Home delivery and competitive prices make it simple to begin using alternative fuels at home and on the road. Green building also plays a huge role in preserving local natural resources. Use of recycled construction materials, rainwater collection systems, and solar power all benefit the forests, animals and people.

The Possibilities Are Endless With Green Real Estate in Asheville, NC

In December of 2006 Asheville joined about fifty other municipalities across the country and passed a resolution stating that all new municipal buildings will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications. LEED is a nationally accepted green building rating system created by the U.S, Green Building Council, http://www.usgbc.org, and sets the standard for the design, construction and maintenance of energy efficient homes and buildings. Asheville is also home to the Western North Carolina Green Building Council (WNCGBC), http://www.wncgbc.org. WNCGBC educates local contractors and builders about the latest green building techniques and practices. WNCGBC also works with city, state and county officials to make eco-friendly recommendations for local building standards. In Asheville, NC homebuyers searching for eco houses or green home building projects have a variety of options from downtown apartments to eco-friendly, real estate developments.

Sustainable Green Building: Find the Perfect, Eco-Friendly Real Estate in Western North Carolina

In Asheville, NC many homeowners, architects and builders work diligently to follow eco-friendly building, design and maintenance plans. To complete a green building project specific topics must be addressed including:

-Sustainable Development

-Alternative Energy

-Energy Efficiency

-Green Building Materials

-Forest Preservation

-Renewable Resources

Whether you are searching for a green condo centrally located in downtown Asheville or an eco home in a private, gated community you can find the perfect green real estate in Western North Carolina. In the mountains it is simple to contribute and help preserve Asheville’s excellent quality of life for years to come.

Jane Kayton is a real estate agent with Century 21 All Seasons based in Asheville, NC. She specializes in helping her clients find the perfect mountain homes and land near Asheville. Jane is also an avid whitewater rafter and hiker. To learn more about real estate in Western North Carolina visit her web site http://www.JaneSellsAsheville.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Kayton

[tags] Asheville, green real estate, NC green real estate, mountain homes, mountain land[/tag]