Trip North - Asheville- Biltmore Gardens

We finish the indoor tour and exit to find blue sky and sunshine just in time to do the Gardens

 The original acreage of Biltmore Estate was approximately 125,000 acres and included property later sold to the federal government to create Pisgah National Forest, one of the first national forests east of the Mississippi.  He owned all the land to the other side of the distant mountains.  He must have taken to heart the adage - "Don't by the house for the view unless you can buy the view too!"

The walled garden

 I love that they just didn't plant a tulip garden and hyacinth garden - they planted little bouquets!

 Unfortunately the roses weren't blooming

 The Conservatory

It even has a small train

The Azalea Garden was just getting started.  It will be peak in a week.

 Made it back to the top and I walked to the far end and up the stairs - awkward because they are made for horses.

and the View!

 A view of the Italian Gardens - they were working on the water gardens

 All good things must come to an end

  - we have just enough time to check out the Antler Hill Winery before leaving.  We will come back and next time will spend 2 days.  You can get a 2nd day for $25 or, if you purchase a behind the scenes tour for the next day - which is about the same price - entry is free.   I want to ride a bike around the property too!

Trip North - Asheville - The Biltmore

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

We get on the road about 8:30 so we can get there when they open at 9:00

 Traffic was crazy and it was after 9:00 when we arrived.  

I hate being late to a party!

 We checked yesterday and we will fit through!

 Of course it starts raining on our way up the road

We mange to get parked and take the trolley to the Estate

 Bummed that it is raining but there are over 40 rooms on the tour and allotting 5 minutes to each one will keep us inside for 3 1/2 hours.

In 1895 George W. Vanderbilt built the Biltmore as an escape from every day life for family and friends.  It took 6 years to construct.  

It was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and is America’s Largest Home spanning 175,000 square feet, more than four acres of floor space. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.

 Before starting the tour we duck in the Carriage House / Stables to use bathroom and check out the restaurant in the Horse Barn - the walls are white ceramic tile.

 The first room you go into is the Winter Garden with the Fountain and Sculpture - Boy stealing goose.

The Breakfast Room - they weren't serving today.

 The Salon - the fabric draped ceiling must have kept is quiet in here.

 The Music Room

 The Tapestry Gallery - this is just the middle section of the 90' room- this is where afternoon tea was served.  French doors behind me opened up to the Loggia.  These Tapestries are from the 1530 , part of a set referred to as The Triumph of the Seven Virtues, 3 are here Prudence, Faith, and Charity.

 The Library contains nearly 1/2 of his 22,000 volume collection. 

The Grand Staircase

 The Second Floor Living Hall

 

 Mr. Vanderbilt's Bedroom

 The Oak Sitting Room

 Mrs. Vanderbilt's Bedroom

 Louis XV Room named for the style of furnishings it contains.  Edith Vanderbilt chose this room to give birth to her daughter in 1900 and spent several weeks here in convalescence as was the custom of the day.

 Back down the grand staircase.

Next is the basement and the Stone Hallway

 We stopped in the Halloween Room for a short film

and chat with the Vanderbilts

The bowling alley

Individual dressing rooms because no lady would dream of walking through the house with a bathing suit on.

 Just as well I didn't bring my suit, looks like they drained the pool. 

 The main kitchen

 The Servants dining room.

The florists room

 Main laundry and drying room

 Back upstairs to the Banquet Hall has a 7 story ceiling and more 1500's Flemish Tapestries.  Dinners started promptly at 8:00 and lasted for up to 2 hours with 7 courses and as many as 5 wine pairings.  

Next is the Bachelor's Wing with -

The Billiard Room

 The Smoking Room

The end of the interior tour - before we exit and see an example of what is in the Gardens.