Still the largest private home in the USA, George Vanderbilt's mansion high in the Blue Ridge range is a consistent visitor favorite!

She rises through the mist of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville NC stands strong against the hillside as she has for over 100 years.

Biltmore Estate was the brainchild of George Washington Vanderbilt. Heir to an immense family fortune, he had first arrived in western North Carolina at a time when wealthy Americans were constructing temples of opulence, often known as cottages in places like Newport, Rhode Island.

Captivated by the area’s natural beauty Vanderbilt soon had selected a site for his year-round home and top architect of the day, Richard Morris Hunt to design it. Hunt was a favorite of the late 19th century’s Gilded Age often incorporating flamboyant architectural detailings and materials to match his clients’ nouveau riche tastes.

At Biltmore some ostentatious features can be found (look for gargoyles), but the overall concept is the dignity of a working chateau of France’s Loire Valley. With 250 rooms, it has reigned as America’s largest private home since opening on Christmas Day 1895. Unlike many other historical homes here the furnishings are original thanks to Vanderbilt descendants still retaining ownership and control. And what furnishings they are!

Sculptures by the likes of Karl Bittner, 16th century Belgian tapestries and in a room billowing with magenta swags of material Napolean Bonaparte’s chess set, and look up in the library for a celestial journey into Venetian wonder.

The dining room (think dining hall) seats 65 with ease, and has its own organ high near the rafters.

Spend some time out on the Italian loggia with the striped chairs facing Mount Piscah. This is a great place to enjoy the majesty of the mountains, and if you have the CD tour to relax and listen to the fascinating stories of the Vanderbilts. Like how they paid their North Carolinian staff the same wages as their New York employees.

From upstairs to downstairs, front steps and back every aspect of turn of the century America is showcased.

But as massive the house is - be prepared for Biltmore is a grand adventure!

Some words of advice - leave early and wear comfortable shoes.

Frederick Law Olmstead, the premier landscape architect of the time, was faced with a true challenge here. He met it with aplomb and splendor. Forests, scrub land, pastures and of course formal gardens. The seasons are defined by the blooms – from spring’s gentle blush of yellow forsythia, through May’s blaze of azaleas and autumnal colors.

When Mr. Vanderbilt was alive self sufficiancy was important. So a dairy and winery were started.

The latter now produces award winning vintages which you can sample as part of admission fee. Additional in-depth tours, including those with chocolate, are also available. Remember the “I Love Lucy” moment making wine? Occassionaly the Winery offers a “grape stomp” for kids.

Not everyone stayed at the “big house”. River Bend Farms illustrates the 1980’s lifestyle of Vanderbilt employees, complete with antiques and barnyard animals.

Refueling is a snap. Biltmore offers food and drink for every taste and budget through three distinctive eatiries and various snack locations. Some appreciate the southern buffet offered at the Deerpark Restaurant or the freshest ingredients –often from the estate itself - at the Bistro.

You can further enhance your stay by staying at a top quality hotel on the property or particpate in one of the outdoor activities like kayaking, biking or horseback riding.

With all the Biltmore Estate still offers one just knows somewhere George Vanderbilt is smiling.

For more information see:www.biltmore.com/

Want to cruise the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway? seustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/blue_ridge_parkway