ROAD TRIP Miles from Naples
Blue Ridge Mountains
776
downtown buskers
T
he proper noun “Asheville” has morphed into an adjective, as in “that’s so Asheville.” It connotes a bohemian temperament, a strong foodie scene, distinctive arts, rugged beauty, and a youthful vibe. George W. Vanderbilt put Asheville, North Carolina, on the map in the late 1800s. Today, it’s regarded as an unpretentious center for culture, dining, music, shopping, brewery hopping, and history. Its infectious energy spreads to newer, up-and-coming neighborhoods like the River Arts District and South Slope. To top all that off (literally) the Blue Ridge Mountains inspire fine craftsmanship, artisanal agriculture, and epic adventure. It’s no wonder Asheville is gaining a reputation as the South’s hippest tourism hub. —Chelle Koster Walton
The Inn on Biltmore Estate
50 NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
JOHANSEN KRAUSE
STAY
Asheville SOUTHERN FREE SPIRIT
Spa at Grove Park Inn
Vanderbilt began building his 250-room home, the largest private residence in the country, in 1889. Fast-forward more than 100 years and The Inn on Biltmore Estate (biltmore.com) now invites guests to live like a Vanderbilt, surrounded by posh digs all within walking distance to the Biltmore Winery. Downtown, upscale chain hotels and charming B&Bs join the historic grande dame, Omni Grove Park Inn (omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park). Dating to the early 1900s, Grove Park Inn exerts a glam influence. Stay in rooms once booked by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt, and dozens of other notables. Follow a tunnel through rocky cascades to the spa and play a round on the 18-hole golf course surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM
EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM
WHETHER YOU LONG FOR ADVENTURE, CULTURAL DISCOVERY, OR FABULOUS FOOD, THESE DESTINATIONS CLOSE TO HOME WILL SURPRISE AND DELIGHT