| Autumn is here and the first signs of color are | | | | Explore the Leaves During Your Luxury Mountain |
| beginning to surface. And, one of the best places to | | | | Getaway |
| view the colors of the season change is Western | | | | Taking a scenic drive, going for a mountain hike, |
| North Carolina, and more specifically, Asheville. This | | | | exploring the many bike trails of Western North |
| southern city is close to popular leaf-viewing | | | | Carolina or jumping on horseback, are all viable options |
| destinations such as the renowned Blue Ridge | | | | for leaf-viewing activities. In the early fall, the best |
| Parkway and one of the most visited parks in the | | | | scenic drives are at the highest elevations in the |
| country, Smoky Mountain National Park. It is also a | | | | Asheville area such as Craggy Gardens, Mount |
| short drive from several southern cities such as | | | | Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain and Pisgah National |
| Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Atlanta. | | | | Forest. In the mid-Fall, the fall color moves to new |
| Since leaf season vacations are so popular, finding tips | | | | elevations and there are many colorful drives and day |
| for planning the perfect Asheville vacation is important. | | | | trips to areas such as Transylvania County, also |
| For example, many travelers will find that visiting during | | | | known as "the land of the waterfalls," Hot Springs, |
| the week is much better than a weekend. | | | | Cherokee, and Maggie Valley. Late fall visitors will find |
| Where to Stay During Your Asheville Mountain | | | | the best splash of color in places like Kimberly Avenue |
| Vacation | | | | in Asheville, the Hickory Nut Gap region, and the North |
| The first item to consider is where to stay and when. | | | | Carolina Arboretum. |
| The choice will depend on whether you are planning a | | | | "My family and I have visited Asheville several times to |
| family vacation, romantic getaway, or business retreat. | | | | view the fall foliage. We have visited during the early |
| Do not assume that you will find a room when you are | | | | and late part of the season," Mollie Page of Naples, FL, |
| in Asheville; hotels in Asheville experience their busiest | | | | said. "I find that visiting at the beginning of the season, |
| time of year in the fall, so book ahead. | | | | early October, and then towards the end, in say early |
| "I planned a North Carolina mountain getaway last | | | | November, are great times to escape the majority of |
| year," Janice Kennedy of Greensboro, NC said. "I | | | | leaf viewers and still have a wonderful Asheville |
| started researching Asheville hotels about two weeks | | | | mountain experience." |
| before I wanted to go and found that many were | | | | Enjoy the Autumn Harvest in Asheville |
| already booked. While we were able to find | | | | In addition to scenic drives and hikes, this is also a |
| accommodations, they were not as nice as we would | | | | wonderful time of year to experience the Asheville |
| have liked. This year, I will plan a few months ahead of | | | | area's commitment to agriculture and locally-grown |
| time to ensure a romantic mountain getaway with | | | | produce with some autumn harvest adventures that |
| luxury amenities." | | | | include a trip to one or more of over farmers markets, |
| Asheville is home to many luxury mountain getaways, | | | | dinner at a local restaurant that serves regional fare, a |
| family vacation rentals, and luxury condominium rentals. | | | | visit to Harvest Celebration at the Biltmore Estate |
| Many of these hotels and property management | | | | where the Appalachian heritage is celebrated through |
| companies will offer travel concierge services to help | | | | craft demonstrations, storytelling, music, and dance. |
| you to best determine your personal travel needs. | | | | While there, a visit to the winery may be a nice way |
| Now, while getting away during the week may be a | | | | to break from the sightseeing activities. |
| challenge for some, it may well be worth the effort. | | | | Many hotels in Asheville will offer vacation planning tips |
| Many Asheville vacation rentals and luxury mountain | | | | and provide you with the best ways to enjoy your |
| getaways are less expensive during the week, and | | | | mountain/city travel vacation. So, remember to plan |
| the crowds are much thinner. This will allow you more | | | | ahead and book your room or Asheville condominium |
| time to view the leaves and to explore fall harvest | | | | before you go. The Asheville Chamber of Commerce |
| festivals; it will also leave you with more money in your | | | | is a good source for travel and tourism in Asheville and |
| pocket. | | | | can act as your travel and experience concierge. |