TripAdvisor loves Asheville

Well-respected and oft visited web site TripAdvisor has announced that Asheville is one of 15 destinations on the rise for travel and tourism.

According to TripAdvisor, travelers are raving about Asheville, and creating quite a buzz. This comes on the heels of another designation by TripAdvisor in October, 2011 when Asheville was voted by the website’s users as being a Top 10 Destination for Food & Wine.

Here’s what they have to say about Asheville:

There’s something about Asheville that makes its blend of remote Appalachian charm and cosmopolitan sophistication seem perfectly natural. The city abounds in cultural attractions and events, many stemming from the literary greats who have lived here. Thomas Wolfe, Carl Sandburg and O. Henry all once called Asheville home. The city has historically been a resort for the wealthy. But there’s also a friendly, small-town atmosphere; the city has a way of making visitors feel right at home. Located at the confluence of two rivers and nestled in the mountains, Asheville is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, who have their pick of hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning and many other activities. So breathe in the fresh mountain air, take a spin along “America’s most scenic drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway, and soak up the beauty and spirit of this lovely mountain city.”

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,600 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Asheville Small Plate Crawl – 21-23 February 2012

Anticipation is building for the first ever Asheville Small Plate Crawl!

A new website, Asheville Small Plate.com > has the details! The website just went “live” and will be listing more restaurants as they register to participate and more menus as those already registered submit them. Three days in February, 2012: Tuesday the 21st through Thursday the 23rd, dozens of Asheville Independent Restaurants will offer special Small Plate Crawl menus showcasing their cuisine and Chef’s talents.

Good Morning America’s 10 Most Beautiful Places

Photo credit: Alan Ostman

“GMA” viewer Alan Ostmann of Candler, N.C., nominated Asheville, a small city tucked in the Appalachian Mountains rich with art, architecture and outstanding scenery.

“I live just outside of Asheville, N.C., [bordering] the Pisgah National Forest in possibly the oldest mountains on the planet,” Ostmann wrote in his submission. “Four miles from my home is the Blue Ridge Parkway. The forest and parkway allow some of the most spectacular views I have seen anywhere in the world. I hike and bike the area daily and am always amazed at the beauty nature can reveal to us.”

Asheville was rated number one in the GMA survey. No surprise here.

Wall Street Journal dubs Biltmore “King of Castles”

WALL STREET JOURNAL – By Julia M. Klein, Saturday 3 December 2011

From the first, improbable view of Biltmore, looming over a vast lawn and framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, we know we are in the realm of fantasy.

The 250-room mansion, America’s largest privately owned dwelling, immediately evokes the Loire Valley châteaux on which it was modeled. On closer inspection, the eclecticism and asymmetry of Richard Morris Hunt’s design come into focus. In keeping with the era’s revivalist predilections, the limestone facade incorporates Gothic spires and gargoyles, Romanesque arches, a Victorian conservatory and a freestanding Renaissance stairway.

Read the full article here >

OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award winner

Just in time for Thanksgiving , one of our favorite Asheville restaurants, Corner Kitchen, has been named a Diners’ Choice winner by Open Table.

OpenTable, Inc., is a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners and reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. They just announced their Diners’ Choice Awards for the top 100 restaurants in the United States that specialize in American food. The list of winners is derived from more than 10 million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners for more than 12,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Press release announcing results >

Link to OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award winners >

Asheville hotels voted top in USA by Conde Nast Traveler

Two Asheville hotels and one historic resort were ranked among the top in the United States by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. The annual Reader’s Choice Awards Poll, published in their November 2011 issue, is the ultimate barometer in travel.

Chosen by savvy travelers, these properties are among the favorites in Asheville and the country.

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa: Rated a Top U.S. Resort >

The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville: Rated a Top U.S. Hotel >

The Inn on Biltmore: Rated a Top U.S. Hotel >

Taste of Asheville on November 17th

Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) is throwing its annual fund-raising party, The Taste of Asheville, on November 17 at The Venue, 21 N. Market Street, from 7–9 p.m. This evening of culinary samplings features an impressive array of local talent. Guests can experience savory creations from 37 restaurants plus wine and beer tasting from local breweries.

The Laurel of Asheville has the details >

Asheville named best place to start fall foliage tour

According to Livability.com, Asheville is considered the number one spot to begin a fall foliage tour. They cite Asheville’s beautiful scenery, vibrant colors and multitude of autumn activities behind the designation. The fall leaf color continues to roll through the Asheville area so be sure to stay up date with weekly updates at Fall In The Mountains.

Livability.com features Asheville >

Fall festivals abound around Asheville

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES – Monday 26 September

Many options to enjoy autumn in Asheville >