Meet our Host and Hostess, Bob and Becky.
We have been friends for a little over a decade.
We all got acquainted when their son proposed to our daughter.
Reservations for us to spend the day at the Biltmore
started with a Trolley Ride to the gate.
The historic Biltmore Mansion was built by
George Washington Vanderbilt from 1889-1895,
in the Châteauvesque Style.
It remains the largest privately owned home in America.
The tour is self guided, with these hand-held listening devices.
It took us 2+ hours to see the entire home.
There are 4 Stories plus a basement, 250 Rooms in all.
It features a huge banquet hall with 70 ft ceilings.
However, I would prefer this smaller, more intimate, dining room where
the family would eat breakfast. The table is is set with lovely linens
and beautiful China.
Even breakfast was fancy.
There are several parlors.
Here is the Music Room and the
10,000 volume Library
The mansion has 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
I loved this sweet little bedroom, the Nursery.
This is where babies were born and cared for as newborns.
I lost track of how many steps we climbed up…
and then way down again to the basement,
Where there’s a Bowling Alley, Work-out Room,
Swimming Pool, and Dressing Rooms for the Guests.
All the work to keep this massive home operating happens in the basement.
The first kitchen is the Pastry Kitchen.
But, are three kitchens in all, and three laundry rooms
One for washing, one for drying, and one for pressing.
and three pantries, at least.
On the 8.000 acre property there are beautiful, breathtaking gardens.
There is a designated room for the florists to create the massive arrangements
on display through the house. Yes, all fresh flowers on the tour.
We did not have time to take the walking tour of the Gardens.
Here’s what’s “in season”…
What we missed.
We ate lunch in the Stable Café,
Located in the historic stables next to the house.
We had a few minutes to walk around on the grounds.
The Dairy Barn was converted to a winery in 1985.
We had reservations for a private tasting of
Wine and Chocolates.
We started in their shop with their Blanc de Noir,
a soft-pink sparkling wine.
Upstairs we were seated at a table with these four wines:
Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.
Each sip was paired with one of these decadent Chocolates.
Roast Pear, Bourbon Pecan, Dark Chocolate Fudge,
Cranberry, and Red Raspberry.
Timothy McGuire is the Biltmore’s featured Chocolatier.
His chocolates have been featured at major events,
like the Grammys and the CMAs.
This was an amazing experience,
perhaps one of the highlights of our day.
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This highlight was a close second.
Driving through the gardens on the way out,
we came upon this Mama Bear and her three young cubs.
They were right..beside..the..road…
Just Adorable.
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Thank you, dear friends.
We will cherish these memories for a lifetime.
Take care,
~Natalie
