When in Asheville, N.C., visit the Biltmore Estate

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: May 24, 2009

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Asheville, N.C., tempts one to linger in the Blue Ridge Mountains for months. The town considers Memorial Day the official start of its summer season. In addition to spectacular mountain views as you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway that skirts the edge of town, there are fantastic art galleries and cozy cafés serving popular southern meals.

Most people visiting the town make a point of stopping by the Biltmore Estate, the magnificent mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt. The Biltmore is one of North Carolina’s premiere tourist attractions, and there’s always something interesting to see and do.

This year the Biltmore has opened a suite of four never-before-seen bedrooms. Restored to their original splendor, the suite includes the Louis XV Room, the birthplace of George and Edith Vanderbilt’s only daughter Cornelia in 1900. Years later, it was Cornelia who delivered her two sons, George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil and William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil, in 1925 and 1928.

Other rooms include: the Damask Room, with damask curtains and fine mahogany furniture; The Claude Room containing several prints after paintings by Claude Lorraine; and the Tyrolean Chimney Room, with an over-mantel, hand-painted tile stove. French designers reproduced original wallpaper for these rooms.

While touring the mansion, take your time. An ongoing exhibit, If These Walls Could Talk, on the second floor living hall focuses on the lives of the Vanderbilts, their friends, families and the many servants who worked in the house.

Plan to explore Asheville and the surrounding area at a leisurely pace. There’s plenty to do, including walking mountain trails or rafting on local rivers. Put your navigation skills and GPS to use by going on a modern-day treasure hunt.

Stop by the Hand in Hand Gallery in Flat Rock to view the show, ECO-ART: Artists Respond-Reclaim, Reuse and Re-create, that runs until Sept. 20. View works crated from riverbank clay and native woods, as well as recycled goods. Join Ted and Ann Oliver, owners of Oliver’s Southern Folk Art at Art Break, running through Aug. 23, and learn about Beverly Buchanan’s work and the art of collecting folk art.

Drop in at the Asheville Visitor Center to pick up information on things to do and places to dine. While there sign up for bus tours of area Civil War sites. Local historians provide info on such sites as the slave village for the Eagle Hotel and Vance birthplace, home of Civil War governor Zeb Vance. The 2-1/2-hour tour leaves from the Visitor Center. Visit http://www.exploreasheville.com.

Polar bear trips
Watch and photograph polar bears from inside a “Tundra Buggy.” The Great Canadian Travel Company has been operating polar-bear observation tours to the Churchill, Manitoba area since 1980.

The “Daytripper,” a three-day, two-night tour, starts at $1,795, including air from Chicago. It includes two nights in Winnipeg, two breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner. Dates are Oct. 23 or Oct. 24. The “Polar Bear Experience” costs $3,740 (Canadian dollars) and runs seven days/six nights, featuring two nights in Winnipeg and four nights in Churchill. Dates are Oct. 15, 16 or 23. Dog sledding and helicopter excursions are available. See your travel agent or contact http://www.greatcanadiantravel.com.

Jellies in Chattanooga
The Tennessee Aquarium and Hunter Museum of Art have teamed to showcase jellyfish alongside breathtaking glass sculptures inspired by nature. The new display is Jellies: Living Art.

Upon entering the Aquarium’s Ocean Journey building, visitors find themselves immersed in a glimmering world of animals and art, beginning with the wondrous collection of Dale Chihuly’s macchias (taken from an Italian word meaning spotted). The free-form art pieces complement the jellyfish, with their free forms, in the tanks. In one section of the gallery, displays filled with moon jellies surround visitors in an endless swarm of jellies. In another area, slowing pulsing sea nettles dance a watery ballet.

The Tennessee Aquarium, located on the banks of the Tennessee River, is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $21.95, per adult, and $14.95, per child. Tickets to the Imax theater next door are $8.50, adult, and $6, child. Call (800) 262-0695. The Hunter Museum of Art, 10 Bluff View, is open daily. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday. Contact http://www.huntermuseum.org or (423) 267-0968.

Carville, Matalin cruise
Provocative Democrat and Republican political insiders/ husband and wife James Carville and Mary Matalin will give candid opinions of current newsmakers and hot topics on Crystal Serenity’s July 28 Mediterranean cruise. The two will share their predictions and observations about both U.S. political parties.