Why do so many unsuspecting visitors end up wanting to move to Asheville for good? Their stay begins innocently enough at an Asheville, N.C., vacation rental, or one of the cabins in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The lush forests, gushing waterfalls and scenic vistas from the Blue Ridge Parkway lay the bait.
Not surprisingly Asheville has been discovered. It has been selected by Frommer’s as one of the top 12 travel destinations in the world for 2007. This is how the travel guide described Asheville: “Located in the Smoky Mountains, Asheville is a small college town with a thriving arts, culture, and gay & lesbian scene. It is home to the Biltmore Estate, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, and Carl Sandburg's birthplace in nearby Flat Rock. Recently, Asheville has been drawing literati and celebrities who had gravitated to New Orleans as a hub of culture. With the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby, the area is also great for driving tours and shopping trips to numerous crafts and pottery shops (pick up a hand-made broom).”
In Asheville, the trap is set when the tourist encounters this urban hotspot. City blocks of Art Deco and classical architecture house quirky shops, eclectic eateries and trendy condominiums. The town owes its success to the Biltmore family, whose 250-room mansion and 8,000-acre estate remain one of the most lavish tourist destinations in America. You might not be able to afford your own Biltmore mansion, much less just pick up and move here, but you’ll probably book another Asheville vacation rental one day.
Willow Winds Woodland Gardens
Red House
Trillium Place Guesthouse
Mountain Village Chalets
Black Bear Cabin
Cabin on the River
Snug Harbor Place
Smoky Mountain House