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Feature article
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Biltmore Estate
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| Biltmore Estate decorated for the Christmas season. |
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — While the 250-room Biltmore House may feel like a castle to today’s guests, it represented a warm and welcoming retreat for friends and family of owner George Vanderbilt.
In the late 1890s, Vanderbilt invited guests to enjoy the holiday season with fireplaces ablaze in the Banquet Hall, gifts hung from the immense Christmas tree and the seasonal bounty of his dining table.
In 2001, Biltmore Estate welcomes guests with the same warm hospitality during Christmas at Biltmore Estate, held Nov. 6 through Jan. 1. With this year’s focus on "Hearth and Home," fireplaces and mantles will showcase the talents of Biltmore’s floral design team.
Special touches, from wooden shoes and jumping jacks to gold filigree topiary trees, will be found throughout the house. The decor is sure to inspire visions of cozy fires, Santa’s grand entrance and overflowing stockings on Christmas morning.
"Fireplaces were such a key element in the design of Biltmore House," said Cathy Barnhardt, floral displays supervisor. "Even with central heating, every bedroom has its own fireplace. With such a wide canvas to inspire us, we’re taking special delight this year in concentrating our creative efforts on the hearths and mantles.
"In the 19th century and in today’s homes, the hearth is often the center of the Christmas celebration."
Spectacular decorations are just one way guests will feel welcome during the annual Christmas celebration. The season brings a variety of holiday sights and sounds for guests to absorb — day and night — across the estate. Traditional carols from the Banquet Hall organ, as well as live music in other parts of the house, will fill the halls with familiar spirit. And in the evening, guests will experience the warmth of hearth and home complete with flickering candles, firelight and musical performances during Candlelight Christmas Evenings. Reservations for nighttime guests are required.
Guests will also find a variety of activities at Biltmore Estate Winery during the holidays. Self-guided tours, seminars, cooking demonstrations and complimentary wine tastings supply visitors with great holiday entertaining ideas.
Biltmore Estate will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days and is open on New Year’s Day. General tours are self-guided.
In addition to Biltmore House, admission includes the grounds, Biltmore Estate Winery, specialty gift shops and restaurants.
Overnight accommodations and holiday packages at the new Inn on Biltmore Estate are available.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings are held nightly except on Nov. 22 and Dec. 11, 24-25. For information and reservations, call 1-800-289-1895.
Tickets for daytime visits are $34 for adults and $25.50 for youth ages 10-15.
Children 9 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Admission for Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Sunday through Thursday nights, is $36 for adults, $27 for youth ages 10-15, and $10 for children ages 3-9.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, admission is $39 for adults, $29 for youth ages 10-15 and $10 for children ages 3-9.
For more information, call 1-800-922-0046, or visit www.biltmore.com.
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