Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Connie Limon

This is Part 3 of a series of articles. Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Ashefield, North Carolina is a fun and educational trip for the entire family.

A brief history of the Biltmore Estate

Why name the estate Biltmore? George Vanderbilt named the estate. The name is actually derived by combining two words: “Bildt,” the region in Holland where the Vanderbilt family originated, and “more,” and old English word that means upland rolling hills.

The Biltmore house covers 4 acres, which totals 175,000 square feet and consists of 250 rooms that include 35 guest and family rooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces and three kitchens. Noone has lived in the Biltmore house since the 1950s. Guests and/or visitors to the Biltmore Estate cannot stay in the house. However, you can enjoy a stay at the Vanderbilt-inspired hospitality at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

Richard Morris Hunt, architect, designed America’s largest home, the Biltmore House. Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture in America, designed all the surrounding acres of formal and informal gardens. The Biltmore House is a National Historic Landmark.

The Biltmore House construction began in 1889. It is comprised of tons of Indiana limestone that was transported by a special railway spur built specifically to bring the massive amounts of material and supplies to the Biltmore construction site. There were hundreds of workers at the site working for more than six years to complete the Biltmore House. It was first opened on Christmas Eve 1895. Mr. Vanderbilt officially opened his doors for the first time to friends and family while displaying the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, arts and antiques. Today, the Biltmore House remains much the same as it was in the early 21st century.

The actual owner of the Biltmore House is all Vanderbilt family. George and Edith Vanderbilt had one child whose name was Cornelia. Cornelia married Britist diplomat John Francis Amherst Cecil in 1924. They had two sons, William A.V. Cecil, Biltmore Estate’s owner, and his son Bill Cecil, Jr., is chief executive officer of the Biltmore Company. The Biltmore Company includes Biltmore House, Gardens, Winery and River Bend Farm, Inn on Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Estate Wine Company, and Biltmore licensed products.

Biltmore House as we know it today was opened at the request of Asheville city officials in the hopes it would attract tourists in the area during the Depression. Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil, the only child of George and Edith Vanderbilt, and her husband John Amherst Cecil opened Biltmore to the public in 1930.

Now….back to all the fun and educational activities at the Biltmore Estate…..

The Biltmore House has an 8,000 acre backyard. Outdoor activities include:

• Carriage Rides
• Horseback Riding
• River Float Trips
• Biking
• Hiking
• Segway Tours
• Sporting Clays
• Fly-Fishing School
• Land Rover Driving School

All Biltmore Estate outdoor activities are available by reservation to daytime guests, Biltmore Twelve-Month Pass holders, and Inn on Biltmore Estate guests.

Continued in Part 4

Important Disclaimer: The web site address listed in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Biltmore Estate or any of its employees. This article and the web site are for information purposes only.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about planning a trip to the Biltmore Estate visit http://smalldogs2.com/BiltmoreEstateTripPlan For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special sections of other topics visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

By Andrew Regan

When it comes to taking weekend breaks in the United States, many people find it convenient to go for the most obvious option: after all, city break destinations like New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia or Miami do make great getaways and provide guaranteed fun when you’re looking for a short vacation away from your daily routine. However, for a city break with a difference, it’s important to think outside the box. For instance, why not take a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina for an authentic taste of the Deep South and America’s rich historical legacy?

Whatever sort of city break you’re looking for – whether it’s a romantic vacation for two, a golf break with the boys or a fun cultural holiday for all the family – Charlotte can deliver. As a pivotal location during the American Revolution, Charlotte was known by many British soldiers as “a hornet’s nest of rebellion” and the city’s long historical heritage is evident at every turn. For instance, you’ll still find horse and carriage rides in uptown Charlotte – a testament to the city’s colonial history and an excellent way for travellers of all ages to appreciate Charlotte’s impressive nineteenth century Queen Anne architecture.

If you’re planning a vacation in Charlotte, you’ll find a range of attractions and sites of interest to entertain you. If you’re travelling with your children, why not visit the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte – one of the country’s top youth theatres? Discovery Place (a science museum and IMAX dome theatre) and ImaginOn – a cutting-edge educational children’s library and theatre are also popular attractions for families.

And when you’re looking for a break from Charlotte’s busy attractions, you’ll find plenty of outdoor botanical and wildlife parks to enjoy – whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet with your partner or you’re keen to show your family the wonders of the world. Visit the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens for a taste of Charlotte’s higher education buzz, or take a trip to the Carolina Raptor Centre – a site dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey. And if that’s not enough, don’t miss out on the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, which is spread over 111 acres, and Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.

Charlotte also boasts a diversity of cultural highlights, including the Charlotte Comedy Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Afro-American Cultural Center and the Historic Latta Plantation – a former cotton plantation that now serves as a living history farm. Alternatively, visit the well-known Mint Museums, two separate facilities that are dedicated to exhibiting fine art, or make a stop at the Kings Mountain National Military Park, the site of a crucial battle in the Revolutionary War.

What’s more, Charlotte boasts a range of sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Knights, the Charlotte Eagles and the Charlotte Bobcats. If you’re a keen basketball fan with tickets to a Charlotte Bobcats game, you’ll find plenty of hotels in Charlotte, North Carolina, which provide suitable accommodation. So while you’re in town, make sure you visit the city’s vast array of diverse attractions – you’re sure to find something that’ll interest you!