Biltmore Christmas, A December Get Away OR A Holiday Escape in Asheville, SC

It’s Sunday, Saunter Sunday, and for myself, a North American, Thanksgiving has now come and gone, but you know how the unholy frenzy of the holidays is full-on slapping at people’s faces.

You may need this excuse to skip the office party.  I’ve been there. Let me tell you about this interesting place to visit during the holiday months.

This visit here was on my bucket list.  After all, This is America’s largest “home with 178,926 square feet, NBD.”  With 250 rooms, it is a version of a chateau but in North America.  But, it is more than a chateau-style mansion, it is that on an estate.

It’s a lifestyle that I couldn’t imagine.  I have been to many castles and chateau homes in Europe. Still, I just had to be there to understand. Even after visiting multiple times, it’s difficult for me to fathom that people live in such splendor and have a staff to support the perfection of this habitat. I think the fact that the Vanderbilt descendants still currently have living space on the premises helped me to visualize that a castle is home to some to people.

*This photo was taken during a summer visit.

 

It’s easy for me to see how someone living in New York would pick this spot for their summer home. Personally, I love this Asheville area and could easily stay here forever.

having visited many times, I can say that a visit at any time of the year is quite remarkable but at Christmas, the digs take on a whole other level of shine and opulence.

I want to show you a before and after scene. Located off the entrance, this sunken winter garden is spectacular.

But dressed up she goes from rags to riches or, in this case from rich to richer.

 

This dining room style reminds of its’ European cousins. The Biltmore Banquet Hall can seat 64 guests, holds Flemish tapestries, art, with a pipe organ on one end of the room, I was already thinking it was pretty great!

but dressed for Christmas, it could not sparkle more.

Each room is decorated with garlands, wreaths, and bling.  There are 55 trees dressing this place up. If you love Christmas decorating, you would for sure get some amazing ideas from the tour.

I could show you a million photos of this place but I am committed to writing short blogs.  There are gingerbread houses in the kitchen, ceilings that hold large garlands, and botanicals that remind me that I kinda am a humbug about Christmas and I just want to be outside.

 

Plus, the angels were calling me.  (Pictured is a family member.) I mean, on one hand, the place makes think about people who can barely get by during this holy/unholy season and yet, I gained perspective, a frame of reference, and because there is so much to do outdoors, I could saunter all day and into dusk on a Sunday.

At dusk, the gardens and grounds are decorated so that the visitors can enjoy the sparkle both during the day and nighttime.

Currently, there is a bonus for fans of Downton Abbey, this year you can see some of the clothing from the sets.

*Disclaimer the following photos were taken by a visit to Nashville.

 

 

MEGastars 5***** of 5

MEGatips

1. Link to a Christmas at Biltmore Biltmore Christmas link
2. Not a cheap date but you can save money by booking your tickets 7 days in advance. There are Christmas daytime visit tickets and Christmas nighttime visits.
3. There are lodging and dining to meet the finest tastes.  I love Cedric’s Pub for dining.