BY: JANET STEINBERG
Hopping into a shiny black convertible…top down…sun on my
face and wind in my hair…my husband and I set out for a 1458-mile drive through
North Carolina, dubbed the “Tar Heel State”.
face and wind in my hair…my husband and I set out for a 1458-mile drive through
North Carolina, dubbed the “Tar Heel State”.
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| GOING TOPLESS IN THE MOUNTAINS |
Greeted by mountains, my spirits soared. Crisp air filled my lungs and the scent of
the forest was nothing short of overwhelming.
I knew I was about to encounter a timeless natural beauty…a place where
nature transcended the ordinary…a place called Asheville, North Carolina, “The
Land of the Sky”.
the forest was nothing short of overwhelming.
I knew I was about to encounter a timeless natural beauty…a place where
nature transcended the ordinary…a place called Asheville, North Carolina, “The
Land of the Sky”.
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| WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA |
In Asheville, the hub of the Blue Ridge and Smoky
Mountains, there is a close collaboration between Mother Nature and the friendly
mountain people. You might find
yourself wandering through a European Chateau in the morning, hiking a twisty
mountain trail in the afternoon, and enjoying evening cocktails while
overlooking a spectacular mountain sunset.
Mountains, there is a close collaboration between Mother Nature and the friendly
mountain people. You might find
yourself wandering through a European Chateau in the morning, hiking a twisty
mountain trail in the afternoon, and enjoying evening cocktails while
overlooking a spectacular mountain sunset.
This classic American town, in the heart of the Appalachian
Mountains, boasts more Art Deco architecture than any southeastern city other
than Miami Beach.
Mountains, boasts more Art Deco architecture than any southeastern city other
than Miami Beach.
Asheville’s hop-on hop-off Red Trolley Tour is a great way to
get acquainted with the city. The tour
guide’s commentary on Asheville’s sights is combined with humor and historical
information. Although it is seen on the
tour, but not a tour stop, Congregation Beth Israel is the location of
Asheville’s only Mah Jongg tournament.
get acquainted with the city. The tour
guide’s commentary on Asheville’s sights is combined with humor and historical
information. Although it is seen on the
tour, but not a tour stop, Congregation Beth Israel is the location of
Asheville’s only Mah Jongg tournament.
 |
| HOP-ON HOP-OFF RED TROLLEY TOURS THE CITY |
George Vanderbilt’s 250-room Biltmore House is a step back in
time where you will experience Gilded Age elegance at America’s largest home.
Asheville’s oldest home, the circa 1840
Smith-McDowell House-Museum,brings the Victorian Era to life.
time where you will experience Gilded Age elegance at America’s largest home.
Asheville’s oldest home, the circa 1840
Smith-McDowell House-Museum,brings the Victorian Era to life.
 |
| GEORGE VANDERBILT’S 250-ROOM BILTMORE HOUSE |
The
newest star on the Asheville food scene is Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, opened
December 2011 in Historic Biltmore Village. I devoured my seared Ahi Tuna
appetizer and filet and then dug into my husband’s equally divine Osso Buco
Ravioli and New York Strip.
newest star on the Asheville food scene is Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, opened
December 2011 in Historic Biltmore Village. I devoured my seared Ahi Tuna
appetizer and filet and then dug into my husband’s equally divine Osso Buco
Ravioli and New York Strip.
The
secret to the culinary magic of Ruth’s Chris begins with a USDA prime
steak seared at 1800° Fahrenheit and served on a heated (500° F) ceramic plate. Just before the plate leaves the kitchen a
dollop of butter is dropped on the hot plate to create the steak’s signature
sizzle. Add to that some garlic mashed
potatoes,
creamed spinach, and Chocolate Sin Cake.
Calories be damned!
secret to the culinary magic of Ruth’s Chris begins with a USDA prime
steak seared at 1800° Fahrenheit and served on a heated (500° F) ceramic plate. Just before the plate leaves the kitchen a
dollop of butter is dropped on the hot plate to create the steak’s signature
sizzle. Add to that some garlic mashed
potatoes,
creamed spinach, and Chocolate Sin Cake.
Calories be damned!
For
more casual farm-to-table dining in downtown Asheville, try the Lake Lure
Chicken or Brasstown Beef Burger at The Table Restaurant, and the Wood-grilled
Flatbread and the Sunburst Farms Trout
at The Market Place. Thanks to the
efforts of a group of young chefs, farmers,
waiters, cheese-makers, organizers, ranchers, and winegrowers, these restaurants
serve a sophisticated style of down-home Appalachian cooking.
more casual farm-to-table dining in downtown Asheville, try the Lake Lure
Chicken or Brasstown Beef Burger at The Table Restaurant, and the Wood-grilled
Flatbread and the Sunburst Farms Trout
at The Market Place. Thanks to the
efforts of a group of young chefs, farmers,
waiters, cheese-makers, organizers, ranchers, and winegrowers, these restaurants
serve a sophisticated style of down-home Appalachian cooking.
Asheville has held the title of “Beer City USA” for three years.
Where else but in Asheville can you find a Jamaican-born, Chinese man brewing
award-winning Scottish beer or unwind with local, stout-flavored ice cream? Asheville is also home to the only
woman-owned Moonshine Distillery in the U.S.
Where else but in Asheville can you find a Jamaican-born, Chinese man brewing
award-winning Scottish beer or unwind with local, stout-flavored ice cream? Asheville is also home to the only
woman-owned Moonshine Distillery in the U.S.
Asheville is a free-spirited, beautiful city that oozes charm.
It is mountains, mansions, moonshine, and much, more. It is
magical.
It is mountains, mansions, moonshine, and much, more. It is
magical.
JANET
STEINBERG is the winner of 38 national Travel Writer Awards and an International
Travel Consultant with The Travel Authority in Mariemont, Ohio.
STEINBERG is the winner of 38 national Travel Writer Awards and an International
Travel Consultant with The Travel Authority in Mariemont, Ohio.