HOLIDAY GETAWAYS: Christmas at Biltmore

The instant you lay your eyes on the Biltmore House at Christmastime, you get the feeling this in not your ordinary holiday tour.

First of all, the majesty of "America's Largest Home" makes it the ideal canvas for painting a picture perfect holiday scene.

The grounds and entrance welcome you with traditional yuletide trimmings, and as you enter the mansion, the winter garden greets you with the sounds of the dulcimer, echoing traditional Christmas songs through the halls.

IF YOU'RE GOING

WHERE: Biltmore Estate - Asheville, NC

HOW TO GET THERE: Travel on I-20 to Columbia, then I-26W toward Spartanburg. Exit I 40 E toward Hickory, NC. Then take US 25 N toward Asheville, then left onto Lodge St.

CONTACT: www.Biltmore.com

My husband Ralph joined me for this special tour of Biltmore at Christmas, and we could feel the stresses of daily living melt away as we strolled through the historic rooms where George, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt once lived.

Andrea Pearce works in Biltmore public relations, and she guided our tour with her fiancé Logan.

"George Vanderbilt opened this home to his friends and family on Christmas Eve in 1895 so we still kind of carry on that tradition today,” Pearce said. “And Christmas is really an important experience for us here."

The decorating theme changes each year at Biltmore, and this year commemorates Christmastime around the world.

As you move through each room, it's like visiting the countries of George Vanderbilt’s travels.

The billiard room transports you to the highlands of Scotland.

Nature and French folklore transform the library.

Around the corner, enter the Tapestry Gallery to find a Romanesque nativity scene among traditional Italian décor.

Merry Old England adorns the Banquet Hall, and in the heart of the room sits a 35-foot Frasier fur Christmas tree.

Just follow your nose to find the kitchen. You can't miss it, because the aroma of gingerbread is unmistakable.

Then, you see why - the spectacular architecture of Biltmore has come to life in a gingerbread house. It was painstakingly crafted by Biltmore pastry chefs, complete with marzipan lions at the front door entryway, and shredded wheat as shingles for the rooftop.

There's so much more to see in the mansion, but we headed out to the grounds of Biltmore Estate.

Just around the bend is the Riverbend Farm, where a homespun, butter-churnin' holiday adventure awaits. Kids actually learn how to churn, and they can sit on Santa's lap (he's decked out Victorian-style) to share their holiday wishes.

Enjoy mountain music featuring traditional Christmas tunes performed in the barn.

We finish our day in the famous Biltmore Estate Winery and gift shop. Billy, our wine host, did an excellent job educating us about the Biltmore Wine Collection that comes straight from the 94-acre vineyard on the estate.

Ralph and I found our favorites, and we toasted the blessings of Christmas, and the magnificence of Biltmore.