1.    Spend a day at the Biltmore Estate without the big crowds and get the lowest admission rates of the year through March. Plus save up to 50% at their hotel, Inn on Biltmore.

2.    Save a bundle with winter Asheville packages and specials at hotels, cabins and B&Bs. Save the most by staying on Sunday-Thursday nights.

3.    Browse hundreds of interesting boutiques and stops in downtown Asheville and Biltmore Village. It doesn’t cost to look! And many are still having year-end sales.

4.    Tour the Thomas Wolfe Memorial museum, a sprawling 29-room house with a fascinating history and admission of only $1.

5.    Soak in the 100-degree mineral waters in Hot Springs.

6.    Take a pub crawl in “Beer City USA” with an amazing selection of 50+ local brews. Hang out in one of the many coffee shops and wine bars in downtown Asheville.

7.    Enjoy live music at many bars and restaurants. Often, there is no cover charge, so enjoy for a price of a drink or dinner.

8.    See a huge variety of art without paying a museum admission price at 30 downtown galleries or the artist studios in the River Arts District. The Folk Art Center has free demonstrations and exhibits.

9.    Find some of many North Carolina mountain waterfalls. Thanks to recent rains, waterfalls are carrying the more water now than in summer months. Most are free to visit, including favorites Linville Falls and DuPont State Forest.

10.   Hike and see the best vistas of the year since there are no leaves to block the views. Add cool temperatures and few hikers, and this may become your favorite time to hike. There are hundreds of free hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For more ideas, go to our 500-page vacation travel guide to Asheville!

Noted author, radio host and paranormal investigator Joshua Warren of Asheville joins Dr. Daniel Caton, professor of physics and astronomy at Appalachian State University, to hopefully uncover a definitive explanation for the famous Brown Mountain Lights.

The symposium is a full-day event, running from 1-10 p.m. It includes dinner and a guided field trip to the Brown Mountain Overlook for nighttime exploration of the lights.

Burke County tourism director Ed Phillips has heard many interesting tales about the lights. So he created this symposium to take a serious – and fun – look at the phenomenon with the two foremost scientific experts on the Brown Mountain Lights.

The symposium takes place from 1-5 p.m. at Morganton City Hall, followed by a 5:30 p.m. catered meal. At 6:30 p.m., attendees will load onto shuttle buses for a field trip up N.C. Highway 181 to the Brown Mountain Overlook for two hours of viewing time.

Cost is $20 per person, and hotel packages are available for out-of-town attendees.

For information or to register for the symposium, call (828) 433-6793, or go online to DiscoverBurkeCounty.com.

Hickory Nut Falls Hike
Meeting Location: In front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts at the top parking lot of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.
Time: 11 a.m.
Admission fee: $9/adults, $4/youth (ages 6-15) and free for kids under six.
Restrictions: Limited to 20 hikers.
Things to Bring: Wear good hiking shoes with ankle support and bring a bottle of water.
Additional Information: Hike with us out to one of the tallest waterfalls on the east coast—Hickory Nut Falls—at an incredible 404 feet. The falls appeared in the movie The Last of the Mohicans. Stay for the day to hike other Park trails, picnic outdoors and check out live habitats at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den.
Cancellation Information: Visit chimneyrockpark.com or call (828) 625-9281 for hike status.

Rumbling Bald Hike
Meeting Location: Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Parking Area
Time: 1 p.m.
Admission fee: None
Restrictions: Limited to 20 hikers. Call to RSVP.
Things to Bring: Wear good hiking shoes with ankle support due to the ruggedness of the terrain.
Additional Information: This hike will offer some great views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Please call (828) 625-1823 to RSVP and to get directions.
Cancellation Information: Call (828) 625-1823.

“First Day Hikes” originated 20 years ago to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. However, this is the first year all 50 state park systems have joined together to sponsor the hikes. For more information on “First Day Hikes” and to find the state park hike closest to you, visit http://www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes.php

Visitors will also enjoy increased snowmaking capacity with the addition of 10 SMI Super PoleCat snow guns. The resort now has 23 of the ultra high-tech guns. Another aspect that will impress skiers and boarders is the opening of new terrain. The removal of an outdated chairlift created new space on two advanced runs.

Also new is the Stay & Ski Package that features a romantic midweek getaway to eastern America’s highest town and ski resort. Get two nights of cozy lodging and a day on the slopes of Beech Mountain Resort, all for just $99 per person, plus tax. Offer is valid in January, February and March (until end of ski season), Sunday-Thursday only, minimum of two people.

For a very fun weekend, head to Beech Mountain Resort on January 7 and 8, 2012 for Winterfest Weekend, with events throughout the weekend, including the NC State Championship Snowshoe Race, Cardboard Box Derby Race, Roots Ride Shop Fashion Show, Bathing Beauty competition, the Village Rail Jam and live music at the Beech Tree Bar & Grill.

Read more about Beech Mountain North Carolina winter vacation ideas.

One of the many grand Asheville bed and breakfast inns decorated for Christmas. See more photos!

The first snow of the season is always exciting. Below is a photo of last week’s snow near Asheville, north about 20 miles along I-26. More snow later today in the higher elevations! See more snow photos!

Early Winter Snow in the North Carolina Mountains, December 2011

Thanksgiving Turkey & Dressing Recipe

The creator of this recipe, Ellen Davis, came to Biltmore House in 1899 to work as a cook for the Vanderbilts. This recipe was a favorite of George and Edith Vanderbilt’s, and it became a tradition for Ellen Johnson to prepare it for them each year.

Ingredients:

• 20–25 pound turkey
• Cornbread, prepared
• 6 buttermilk biscuits, prepared
• 1 dozen eggs, hard-boiled
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup ground sage
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method

• Rinse turkey and rub with salt inside and out.
• Using a large boiler or cooker, place turkey in enough water to almost cover it (one gallon or more).
• Heat to boiling point and cook on medium for about 2 1/2 hours or until breast is tender; use a ladle to baste broth over the breast meat to keep it moist.
• For cornbread dressing: Bake a large pan of cornbread using your favorite cornbread recipe.
• Bake about six buttermilk biscuits using your favorite recipe, or purchase frozen biscuits and bake.
• Peel eggs and chop or grate them into large mixing bowl. Add onions, celery, sage, salt and pepper. Crumble cornbread and biscuits into bowl.
• When turkey is done, pour turkey broth over the cornbread dressing until the desired consistency is reached. Mix well, using plenty of broth so that dressing will be moist and soft when done.
• Place turkey in center of large baking pan. Spoon dressing into and around turkey. Bake in 425ºF oven for about 45 minutes. If turkey browns too soon, cover with aluminum foil.
• Serves eight to ten

For more about Biltmore, go to http://www.romanticasheville.com/Biltmore.html.

Yurt near Asheville & Great Smoky Mountains

The 85^th annual Neiman Marcus Holiday Catalogue is out, and among the extravagant items up for grabs is a $75,000 luxury yurt outfitted with custom-made down pillows, a crystal chandelier and hand-painted interior canvas walls.  Travelers interested in experiencing “glamping” (glamorous camping) without the sky-high price tag and permanent commitment can get a taste of it at the Southeast’s only “yurt village,” at Wildwater Nantahala Adventure Center’s Falling Waters Resort near Bryson City, NC, about an hour west of Asheville.

A travel trend that’s on the rise according to the Wall Street Journal, glamping appeals to travelers who want to get closer to nature without giving up the comforts of home. Each of the eight yurts at Falling Waters is furnished with French doors, a queen-size bed (and futon for additional guests), as well as a wooden floor, ceiling fan, small refrigerator, CD player, space heater and coffeemaker. With décor themes ranging from the Safari yurt (complete with animal print linens) to the floral Victorian, each insulated yurt has a private deck and close access to a hot tub and private bathrooms.

“It’s fun to see Neiman Marcus include a yurt on its Holiday Wish List. Families, couples and individuals are discovering that yurt camping, or ‘glamping,’ is a great alternative to traditional camping,” says Jack Wise, Wildwater’s general manager. “Since we opened in 1998, we’ve had many people ‘test drive’ our yurts before they bought one themselves.”

In the spirit of the holidays, Wildwater is offering a special 20 percent discount on gift certificates (a great stocking stuffer!), making a “glamping” experience in the yurt village even more accessible. A gift certificate for $125 is $100 if purchased by Dec. 16; the $250 gift certificate is only $200 and the $500 gift certificate can be had for $100 off.

In addition to using them for lodging at the yurts (a one-night stay is $84 plus tax), gift certificates can also be used to enjoy any of Wildwater’s outdoor adventures at any of the company’s locations, including whitewater rafting, zipline canopy tours, guided Jeep® tours, kayak lake tours, scenic train rides and cabin lodging. Adventure packages are also available and carry additional discounts.

Located in the Nantahala River Gorge near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just 15 minutes from the Tsali mountain bike trails, the yurts are available daily through Thanksgiving weekend. The village is adjacent to Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, which also is open through Nov. 27. Both attractions will close for the season beginning Nov. 28 and reopen in mid-March just in time for spring break. Wildwater opens rafting season on the Nantahala River in April. For more about them, go to http://www.romanticasheville.com/nantahala_river_gorge.htm.

Grand Prize Winner of National Gingerbread House Competition

Hundreds of entries from over 20 states were scrutinized by a panel of 11 elite judges, with winners from four categories selected at today’s 19th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in beautiful Asheville, NC.

“Each year The National Gingerbread House Competition becomes even more competitive with such a wide variety of gingerbread creativity.  Our judges come prepared to select winners whose overall scores are often separated by only a few points,” said Ronald E. Morin, Vice President and Managing Director at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.  “This year we have contestants entering from as far away as South Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.  The determination shown by competitors to travel with their gingerbread creations hundreds of miles reflects a significant commitment to this competition.”

For photos of other winners and details on how to visit the massive display, go to http://www.romanticasheville.com/gingerbread.htm.

Entries were judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme.  Except for the base, the entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials.  Each year, The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving a $3,000 cash prize, a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn, complimentary access to Grove Park’s world-renowned Spa facilities, and dinner and breakfast for two daily.

All entries from The National Gingerbread House Competition will be displayed at The Grove Park Inn from November 16th, 2011 through January 1st, 2012 and at The Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.  Community viewing days are Sundays through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Resort guests who have booked accommodations, dining or Spa treatments may view the displays at any time.  Groups and bus charters should call ahead for reservations.

Christmas at Biltmore opens tomorrow! Get a sneak peek inside the grand Biltmore House in Asheville at this year’s elaborate decorations. More than a century ago, George Vanderbilt chose this magical season as the time to unveil his new home to family and friends. On Christmas Eve 1895, he opened Biltmore House’s doors for a regal yuletide celebration. This year’s Christmas at Biltmore promises another extravagant celebration, complete with dozens and dozens of Christmas trees, miles of ribbon, garland and lights, live music and inspirational holiday demonstrations await our guests. See our photo tour at http://www.romanticasheville.com/biltmore_christmas_photo_tour.htm

Fall Color Oct 27 on Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville

Fall color continues to fill the valleys in the Asheville, North Carolina, area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Color is showing the most at the lower mountain elevations (1,500-2,500 feet). Color in highest elevations (above 3,000 ft) is past peak. Peak color concludes this week at Biltmore and city of Asheville, with Chimney Rock and Lake Lure by next week. The most colorful section of the Parkway right now is the stretch around the city of Asheville and about five miles north of Folk Art Center or south of NC Arboretum, since it is the lowest elevation on the Parkway in our area. Brevard and Hendersonville areas have great color. Hike to waterfalls in DuPont Forest.

Snow is a good bit in the highest elevations tonight, especially at spots like Grandfather Mtn, Craggy Gardens, Mt Pisgah and Mt  Mitchell along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The very top of Mt. Mitchell could get several inches of snow. The Parkway may be closed in highest sections on Saturday if significant snow falls. (Call 828-298-0398 for closures.) For most of the mountains, it will be a beautiful sunny fall weekend to enjoy the leaves. More Asheville fall color updates and photos at http://www.romanticasheville.com/fall.htm.

Fall color at Biltmore House, Asheville, Oct 26, 2011

Lake Lure, NC, Fall Color October 26, 2011