Adventure for Sweethearts Online Exclusive

By: Jacqueline Thompson Graves

The beautiful Biltmore Estate. Photo courtesy of Biltmore.

For romantic ideas to make your special someone swoon, read my Adventures for Sweethearts article here.

It always helps to get travel tips from someone who has been there. These tips come straight from Biltmore's own site.

Don't come on a Saturday. They didn't phrase it that way, but we are smart enough to read between the lines. It is hard enough to see everything in one or two days. Why try and do it when everyone from four states is there, too?
Purchase your tickets in advance online to save time, money, hassle, money and money. Advance means seven days before you go in, not from your iPhone while you are sitting out in the parking lot.
Just because you purchased tickets online in advance doesn't mean you are going to get into the Castle. I know. Like that place isn't big enough to hold everyone south of the Mason-Dixon, but their website warns you to go online and make a reservation to get into the house on a busy day. I don't think days in February or March are going to be busy, but in case you go this summer or in December, here is the reservation number: 800-411-3812. And if you are the worrisome type, reserve away.
Arrive early for any tours. For a perennial late comer like me, I should stamp this on my hand.
Dress comfortably. You know those great outfits in the clothes catalogs? I hate to break it to you, but the models don't actually go anywhere in those clothes. They just get their pictures taken 479 times and then they change outfits. They can't actually walk in those silly platforms. Ashville is in the mountains and February is in the winter, so layer and wear real shoes.
Bring your car. Even though there are free shuttles on the property, the place is huge and the shuttles don't go everywhere, so unless you are staying for two weeks and really like to hike, bring the bimmer.
Don't miss the $10 add a day deal. It even gets you into the restaurants, so if you just go back for dinner, hey, when else are you going to get to eat at Biltmore?
You can stay at the Biltmore . . . or not. Check out their website for package deals from other area hotels, or do the Priceline thing or call your aunt. But right now Biltmore's off season specials are so good, why stay anywhere else?

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