General Info

This four day, three night Biltmore Equestrian Escape is offered exclusively by Equitrekking Travel on EquitrekkingTravel.com. Located in Asheville, NC, historic Biltmore Estate has over 80 miles of equestrian trails located on 4,000 acres in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains. Explore the wooded estate trails on horseback, much like guests of George Vanderbilt would have during the Gilded Age. Along with daily trail riders, lessons and the popular lunch on the trail included in this equestrian focused package, riders may tour the historic home and estate grounds, perhaps sampling some of the wines produced by Biltmore’s winery, and spending nights in the luxurious Biltmore Inn.

The Biltmore Equestrian Escape is perfect for riders and their non-riding companions. It is also ideal for those looking for a shorter equestrian vacation. Biltmore Equestrian Center is located on the grounds of America’s largest home and features mature Quarter horses, Draft, Appendix Quarter Horses and various ponies for riders of all skill levels, indoor and outdoor arenas, an award-winning lesson program, and several established yearly equine events such as the North American Trail Ride Conference and Biltmore Hunter Pace. Biltmore’s equestrian program is based on Natural Horsemanship, centered on communicating and developing respect and rapport with your horse.

There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Biltmore’s picturesque setting, including hiking, biking, fly-fishing and touring the estate. Travelers may also like to explore charming downtown Asheville, with its variety of restaurants, craft stores and mountain ambience. If you want to be pampered, visit Biltmore Spa or get wined and dined in one of the upscale restaurants. Touring the home is a highlight of your Biltmore experience. George Vanderbilt, the grandson of wealthy industrialist Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt who founded the Biltmore Estate in the 1880’s, had lofty goals when he began plans for Biltmore. He envisioned a grand European estate, and modeled the house after a French chateau. In 1889, construction on Biltmore began, using hundreds of workers and massive amounts of limestone. With the help of Frederick Law Olmstead, a landscape designer known for his work on great urban landscapes like New York City’s Central Park, and famous American architect Richard Morris Hunt, the house would be one of the most advanced and innovative of its time. What transpired in the six years that it took to complete the project was more than four acres of floor space, 250 rooms filled with art and antiques, an indoor pool, a bowling alley, a library with more than 23,000 books… That’s a lot to explore!

Awards & Accolades
Biltmore has been awarded Four Stars by Mobil Travel Guide, Four Diamonds by AAA, and the Inn, the accommodations for this trip, is on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List for five years running.

Voted Best Place to Take a Riding Lesson in Western North Carolina – June 2009 WNC Parent

Inn on Biltmore Estate
4-Star Mobil Rated
4-Diamond AAA Rated
Condé Nast Traveler
Gold List 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Top 100 Hotels–Readers' Choice Awards 2006, 2007, 2008
Travel + Leisure
500 World's Best Hotels, 2007, 2009
Readers' Choice–Top Hotels in Continental U.S. & Canada, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
#10 in Family 50–The Most Family-Friendly Resorts in the U.S. & Canada, 2007


 

Packing

Please see Equitrekking Travel’s General List

Because of Biltmore’s Mountain location, you’re in for cool nights, so pack accordingly.
 

About the Horses

Explore a different way of training people and horses. Biltmore’s equestrian program is based on Natural Horsemanship and centers on communicating and developing respect and rapport with your horse. Biltmore’s mature Quarter horses, Draft, Appendix Quarter Horses and various ponies are trail and ring ready.

Activities/Events

Activities at Biltmore

Tour Biltmore House, Gardens, Winery, and Farm Village.

Biltmore Estate activities include river float trips, biking, hiking, segway tours, sporting clays, fly-fishing school, land rover driving school.

Biltmore Estate is home to various shops featuring music, collectables, Biltmore Estate wine, old-fashioned toys and games, plants, garden accessories, books, Christmas ornaments and gifts.

Activities around Asheville

Visit downtown Asheville with its charming restaurants, and crafts and art stores. Asheville is a mountain oasis with sightseeing, golf, rock climbing and outdoor adventure activities. Drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad
Historic Hendersonville and Flat Rock
Mast General Store
Hickory Furniture Mart
NC Arboretum

Special Events

•    Festival of Flowers (Annual Estate Event)- 2010 dates are April 3-May 16, 2010
•    Grand Opening of Antler Hill Village- May 21, 2010
•    Summer Evening Concert Series (Annual Estate Event)- 2010 dates are tentatively July 22-24 & July 29-3
•    Flower Carpet (Annual Estate Event)- 2010 dates are August 20-September 12

Accommodations/Food

Accommodations
The Inn on Biltmore Estate offers exquisite accommodations, relaxed elegance, fine dining and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Biltmore has been awarded Four Stars by Mobil Travel Guide, Four Diamonds by AAA, and the inn is on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List for five years running.

Each guest room is filled with fine furnishings and décor inspired by English and French manor homes. Indulge in luxurious baths and exceptional service with attention to detail.

Guest Room Amenities include:
1.    Twice-daily housekeeping attention
2.    In-room movies
3.    Evening Turndown
4.    Bottled water
5.    Coffee service
6.    Complimentary, overnight shoeshine
7.    24-hour concierge service
8.    24-hour in-room dining
9.    In-room safe deposit box
10.    Two phone lines with conference calling
11.    Wireless high speed internet service
12.    Plush terry bathrobe and slippers
13.    Luxurious bed linens
14.    Makeup Mirror, hair dryer and scale
15.    Signature bath products
16.    Goose down pillows
17.    Non-allergenic foam pillows (upon request)
18.    37" high definition flat panel television
19.    Complimentary scheduled estate shuttle service
All rooms non-smoking
 

Food
There are various restaurants, cafes and even an ice cream parlor located on the grounds of Biltmore Estate. Delight in creative interpretations of regional cuisine in a friendly atmosphere with impeccable service. Renowned chefs prepare culinary delights harvested from Biltmore’s fields, including seasonal vegetables, fresh beef, and lamb. Vegetarian options are available. Included in this package is breakfast daily, dinner on night of arrival at either the Dining Room at the Inn or the Bistro at the Winery, and lunch included with the 3-hour afternoon trail ride. Learn more about Biltmore’s Dining Options.

Drinks
The Inn where guests stay features The Lobby Bar and The Library, where guests may enjoy afternoon tea. There are various restaurants on the estate, serving Biltmore’s own wines and various other libations.
 

The Ideal Traveler

Equestrians and non-riders looking for an upscale, horsey escape in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

4 days/ 3 nights Biltmore Escape

4 days/ 3 nights
Prices start at $1306* per person double occupancy

* Guests on this package will have a length of stay daytime ticket, which means they can visit the estate as much as they want during their visit – including their day of arrival (even before the 4:00pm check-in) and their day of departure (even after 11:00am check-out). See itinerary below for meal inclusions. Rate may be subject to credit card processing fee.
 
Day One
•    Check-in 4:00pm
•    Dinner in The Dining Room at the Inn or the Bistro at the Winery (included in package)
•    Night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

Day Two
•    Chef’s breakfast buffet in The Dining Room
•    10:30AM- 2-Hour Lesson/Natural Horsemanship Workshop
•    Lunch on Own (not included in package)
•    Afternoon free to visit the estate/Asheville area
•    4PM- One-hour Evening Trail Ride
•    Dinner on Own (not included in package)
•    Night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

Day Three
•    Chef’s breakfast buffet in The Dining Room
•    10:30AM set off for your 3-Hour Trail Ride & Lunch
•    Afternoon free to visit the estate/Asheville area
•    Dinner on Own (not included in package)
•    Night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

Day Four
•    Chef’s breakfast buffet in The Dining Room
•    Check-out at 11:00am
 

Related Travel Articles

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Traveler Reviews

I really, really loved Biltmore. I could live there- especially in the house. It’s just beautiful riding there- gorgeous views, and streams and meadows. Our lesson with Emily was fantastic. She knows everything there is to know about horses. The food was all excellent. It was a five star experience.

-- Julie Snyder, Equitrekking Travel's Preferred Provider of Travel Services 

Biltmore was featured in Equitrekking host Darley Newman's 10 Great Places to Go Horseback Riding in USA Today.

Reading List

General Guidebook
Compass American Guides: North Carolina, 5th Edition (Paperback) by Sheila Turnage with photographs by Jim Hargan
Compass American Guides: North Carolina is a perfect choice for visitors and locals alike. From private lore to time-warp general stores, well-rounded coverage reveals the quirky sites and fascinating stories of the entire region. The 5th edition has a sleek new package and additional reader-friendly elements to enhance the captivating narrative, and gorgeous full-color photos from a local writer and photographer.

For Kids
The Mystery of Biltmore House (Real Kids, Real Places) (Paperback) by Carole Marsh
In 1981, Carole Marsh (a real author) took four real kids to the famous Biltmore House in Ashville, NC. They went to learn about G. W. Vanderbilt. the Vicortian Era, O. Henry and more. There was only one little problem... First one kid dissappeaared. Then another! Then, so did a priceless antique chess set! There was the creepy Halloween room, the very scary basement, the eerie attic, and all those gape-mouthed gargoyles. Oh yeah, and all that blood! And did I say that the kids got trapped in the mile-long heating system? Did I say ONE LITTLE problem? How about LOTS of BIG problems! Everyone loves Biltmore House! So much so, that there has been constant demand for a reprint of Carole's most popular book ever! Biltmore's more than one big, giant house; it's one big, giant history lesson!

Natural Horsemanship
Natural Horse-Man-Ship: Six Keys to a Natural Horse-Human Relationship (Paperback) by Pat Parelli
Internationally known and respected as a horseman and clinician, Pat Parelli has helped thousands of riders understand and communicate with their horses through his Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship program. PNH offers riders achievable goals and measurable standards, no matter the discipline - English or western - or the activity - competitive or recreational. Pat's philosophies and concepts are based on a language of trust, leadership and respect, and a special bond between horse and human.

History

The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt [Deckle Edge] (Hardcover) by T.J. Stiles
From The New Yorker-- In the panic of 1869, Cornelius Vanderbilt “appeared in the role of a hero,” Stiles writes, praised for steadying the markets with his confidence and his cash. In reality, Vanderbilt’s own machinations had helped push the markets to the brink. He gambled not only his fortune but, with it, the “health of the national economy,” and “the only thing more remarkable than his recklessness was his success.” Vanderbilt started out running a ferry off Staten Island and went on to control shipping lines and railroads; he built Grand Central with his own money. The canvas of his life is so large that giants like Jay Gould appear as bit characters. (There’s also Tennessee Claflin, a “magnetic physician” and clairvoyant turned stockbroker; Stiles thinks that she and Vanderbilt had an affair but discounts some of the more vivid stories about their relationship.) Mark Twain described Vanderbilt as something like the Grinch, the “idol of . . . a crawling swarm of small souls”—a cartoon that Stiles does a good job of redrawing.

The Vanderbilts (Hardcover) by Jerry E. Patterson
From Publishers Weekly-- Those fond of the smell of money will adore this book, crammed with photographs of Persian rugs, crystal chandeliers, a never-ending train of evening dress and sprawling grounds of New England castles. In chronicling the rise of the Vanderbilts, Patterson ( Living It Up ) traces the ever-interesting story of American-style getting and spending. As devotees of Edith Wharton--and others practiced at distinguishing "old" from merely "big" money--may be surprised to learn, the first "van der Bilt" of record was a resident, ca. 1650, in Flatbush, N.Y. The family never had much money until, in the 19th century, Cornelius parlayed a $100 investment into America's greatest fortune. Railroads entered Vanderbilt holdings relatively late: Cornelius, the man whose statue scowls over Manhattan's Grand Central Station, had no use for the locomotive until, in his old age, a son showed him he could turn a profit with railroads.

Biltmore Estate (Images of America: North Carolina) (Paperback) by Ellen Erwin Rickman
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, has captured the fascination of people everywhere for over 100 years. Created in the 1890s by George Washington Vanderbilt, a member of one of America's wealthiest families, the estate combined a 250-room French Renaissance style chateau with 125,000 acres of gardens, forests, and working farms. Biltmore House served as Vanderbilt's primary residence for almost 20 years. After Mr. Vanderbilt's death in 1914, life at Biltmore continued for his wife Edith and daughter Cornelia. In 1930, Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil and her husband, Hon. John Francis Amherst Cecil, opened Biltmore House the largest private home in the United States to the public, firmly establishing the Asheville area as a major tourist destination

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.