North Carolina’s 4 ‘M’s Mountains, Mansions, Music, and Mayberry USA!
Marvel at the gorgeous views and landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC, where you'll visit the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, and Mount Airy, NC, the real-life Mayberry, home to Andy Griffith. Great food, beautiful views, and toe-tapping tunes, await you on this one-of-a-kind exploration!
Duration
5 Days /4 Nights
Group size
Custom
Customization
Available!
Estimated Tour Pricing Inclusions: 4 nights’ accommodation; 4 breakfasts; 2 lunches; 3 dinners; 2 wine tastings; baggage handling; admissions, entrance, and guide fees as stated in the itinerary, including taxes, and gratuity. Except gratuity for guide fees is not included on adult tours unless otherwise requested.
Highlights:- Trolley Tour of Asheville, NC
- Leisure time in Asheville
- Biltmore Estate
- Biltmore Winery Tasting in Antler Hill Village
- Grandfather Mountain and the Mile-High Swinging Bridge
- Shelton Vineyard Wine Tasting
- "Mayberry State of Mind" Tour
- Blue Ridge Music Center with Live Entertainment
- TONS of gorgeous Photo Opportunities of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Sample Itinerary: Day 1 - Arrival Day - Asheville, North Carolina
- Arrive in Asheville, North Carolina and check in to your local accommodation for the next two nights.
- Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a special location with homemade eats to kick off the adventure!
- Depart and return to hotel. (Meals: D)
- Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
- Embark on a Narrated Guided Tour of Asheville, on your special, vintage-style Trolley. During the tour, you will board a charming vintage-style trolley and be guided through the streets of Asheville by a knowledgeable tour guide. The trolley follows a designated route that covers many of Asheville's top attractions and landmarks, providing commentary and insights along the way.
- Free-time to shop and explore in Asheville, NC, before departing for Biltmore Estate.
- Enjoy lunch included at a classic cafe serving local Southern favorites.
- Tour Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, featuring 250 rooms, built by George Vanderbilt and seated on a vast 8,000-acre estate nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville.
- Indulge in a special wine tasting at Biltmore Winery in Antler Hill Village. Visit the beautifully designed indoor/outdoor Wine Bar for charcuterie and locally made truffles. Allow their knowledgeable wine hosts to take you on a journey through award-winning vintages. The completely renovated Tasting Room provides a personal tasting with expert guidance. Choose from a variety of wines to sample, from sweet whites like Chenin Blanc to dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon. The name Antler Hill, means the “fine high ridge,” as noted by Vanderbilt. From the Civil War into the 1930s, the ridge was the site of Antler Hall, a residence and social center for many estate families. While exploring the area, you'll see a variety of temporary exhibits that dives deeper into the Vanderbilt family history.
- Enjoy dinner on your own (we recommend) Cedric’s Tavern, The Smokehouse Food Truck, or shareable bites at the Winery.
- Depart via motor coach and arrive back at your hotel. (Meals: B, L)
- Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
- Discover Grandfather Mountain, featuring a mile-high swinging bridge, museum, and picnic areas. With its towering elevation and rugged terrain, Grandfather Mountain offers a diverse array of outdoor and indoor experiences for adventurers of all levels. Hiking enthusiasts can explore an extensive network of trails, each leading to unique viewpoints, pristine waterfalls, and lush alpine forests. Experience the well-maintained paths, split & sphinx rock formations, and walk across America’s highest suspension footbridge.
- Enjoy lunch on own at Mildred’s Grill inside the Wilson Center while exploring.
- Indulge in another wine tasting at Shelton Vineyard. Shelton Vineyards is a vineyard located in Dobson, North Carolina. Of over 95 North Carolina wineries, Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. Located in the Yadkin Valley near Mount Airy, the estate is 406-acre acres and shares a similar climate and growing season to that of some of the best wine growing regions in Europe. The vineyard is one of the largest on the East Coast. On the estate, several varieties of vitis vinifera grapes are grown Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng.
- A special dinner is included this evening at a unique and historic restaurant.
- Check-in to your local Mount Airy accommodation for the next two nights. (Meals: B, D)
- Prior to checking out, enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
- Discover a "Mayberry State of Mind". featuring a mile-high swinging bridge, museum, and picnic areas. Depart the hotel on a tour with a Step-on Guide. Your group will learn about life in Mount Airy and the “Mayberry State of Mind.” Mayberry fans will see The Andy Griffith Museum, Snappy's Lunch, Floyd’s City Barber Shop, the Andy Griffith Playhouse, TV Land Landmark Andy and Opie Statue, Andy’s Homeplace, Mayberry Courthouse and Wally’s Service Station.
- Explore the Andy Griffith Museum. The museum is dedicated to the life and career of American actor, television producer, and singer Andy Griffith. The museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is in Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina.
- Enjoy lunch on own while exploring.
- Visit the Blue Ridge Music Center, featuring Midday Mountain Music, daily, free "pickin' porch" presentations of local and regional music from noon to 4 pm, every day the Music Center is open, on the covered breezeway.
- A Farewell Dinner is included at an American style eatery in a laid-back setting.
- Check-in to your local Mount Airy accommodation for the next two nights. (Meals: B, D)
- Prior to checking out, enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
- Today is waiting to be customized especially for your group! Spend time exploring the area further, or head south for activities on your way home. For those heading north, we recommend:
- Depart for Winchester, Virginia and continue the Music Theme with a visit to Patsy Cline's hometown!
- Visit the Patsy Cline Historic House. The Patsy Cline Historic House is open April 1 through October 31, 2023. Guided tours of the house are given throughout the day. Last guided tour starts at 3:30 PM. The house, a national historic landmark, stands as an icon for Patsy Cline fans and admirers hoping to know firsthand the story of Patsy’s early years. Patsy Cline’s home offers a window into the famed singer’s early road to stardom
- Enjoy lunch included at a fun, local pub.
- Depart on your journey home. (Meals: B, L)
Base rate does not include motor coach transportation, airfare, airport transfers, driver gratuity, guide gratuity, (student groups exempt) or any upgrades or add-ons unlisted from itinerary as stated. Pricing may vary based on day of arrival or other conditions. Personalized itineraries with custom pricing and/or additional transportation can be created and added based on client needs and upon client’s request. MARS will customize quotes or personalize itineraries for FREE.
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