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Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Tour, Chihuly and Festive Cheer for Adults
Embark on an unforgettable holiday weekend in North Carolina with a candlelit Christmas evening tour of the Biltmore Estate, featuring cozy fireplaces and live music. Step back to the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895.
Additionally, enjoy a visit to a Chihuly glass art exhibit, explore the beautifully adorned grounds and Antler Hill Village, and discover The River Arts District and downtown Asheville. Meet new friends from across the country and enjoy an inspirational talk. Financial assistance is available.
Metaphysical Theme:
“I can use the power that God gives me in no way except in the interest of the individual and the community. To this verity every member of my church would bear loving testimony.” (Message to The Mother Church for 1901, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 31:14)
WHEN:
Thurs. December 5 after 4:00pm – Sun. December 8 until 11:30am
Please plan to arrive at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore between 4-7pm on Thursday, December 5
WHERE:
Asheville, NC
WHO:
Christian Science adults and their friends of all faiths
WHAT:
Biltmore House – A majestic Norway spruce and pathway luminaries welcome you to America’s Largest Home®. Inside, thousands of glittering lights and ornaments reflect the soft glow of candles, fireplaces, and twinkle lights. The stunning holiday décor brightens the breakfast room, the Banquet Hall tree is the tallest tree inside Biltmore, and George Vanderbilt’s glorious library is a sight to behold during the Christmas season.
Biltmore Grounds – The grounds are beautifully ordained for Christmas, the Winter Garden in Biltmore House offers guests an abundance of exceptional photo opportunities and the conservatory is bedecked with beautifully blooming poinsettias.
Antler Hill Village – The magic continues in Antler Hill Village, which is festooned with glittering lights, ornaments, and displays. Enjoy craft demonstrations, Christmas Music and lights, bonfire, shopping and restaurants..
Chihuly at Biltmore – Featured in museums and gardens around the world, including the spectacular 2018 Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition, Dale Chihuly’s awe-inspiring works have captivated millions. Specially curated for Biltmore, a new experience of the world-renowned artist’s iconic creations awaits your discovery within the intimate gallery setting of Amherst at Deerpark®.
Omni Grove Park Inn – We will be greeted by festive twinkling lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and the delightful scents of hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies. The hotel will be buzzing with the spirit of the season. Over 45 competitors will bring their gingerbread creations to be displayed for visitors and locals to view at the hotel and local businesses. This will allow them to share the beauty and magic of the competitors’ work with the community—a community that deeply needs the hope and joy their artistry can bring.
Check out the short video of Christmas at Biltmore: https://youtu.be/6K-dTJCc59Y
Lodging:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore
115 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC 28803
Registration fee is based on double and single occupancy. Solo participants seeking shared gender-based accommodations will be connected with others, or will need to pay an additional fee for a single room if a roommate is not available
Hotel Check-In: 4:00pm
Hotel Check-Out: 11:00am
Hotel Parking is free
Driving parameters:
Arrive: Thursday, December 5 between 4–7pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore
Depart: Sunday, December 8 after 11:30am
Flying parameters:
We encourage you to book your flights sooner than later for affordable fares. If flying, we are offering transportation to and from the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) for an additional cost of $15 each way. Let us know so we can make arrangements ahead of time.
Please arrive by 4:00pm on Thursday and depart on Sunday after 2:30pm. Spots are limited.
Registration Fee:
$ 945 per person (double occupancy)
$1,395 per person (single occupancy)
A minimum deposit of $475 is due at registration and the remaining balance is due November 14.
Fee Includes: 3 nights lodging at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville, entry to Biltmore Estate, Grounds, Chihuly Exhibit, Antler Hill Village, 3 breakfasts at hotel, Friday night dinner at Stable Café, Saturday Lunch at Antler Hill Village, transportation to and from hotel to activities and inspirational talk.
Fee does not include: Thursday dinner, Friday lunch, and Saturday dinner. There will be places for you to eat during those times.
Financial Aid:
Financial aid for registration is available for all participants up to $250 per person. Financial aid for transportation is available up to $150 per person (up to $150 not to exceed ½ of airfare)
Cancellation Fee:
Due to the nature of up-front costs, a non-refundable deposit of $475.00 is due at registration. If you cancel after October 3, no refunds.
Payment & Cancellation Policy:
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
- Up to October 31, 2024 = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
- After October 31, 2024 = 100% of the trip is non-refundable
If DiscoveryBound cancels a program/event, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. As you are preparing air travel for these excursions, we encourage you to book flights allowing you the greatest flexibility in case there is a need.
Deadline to Register and Financial Aid: Monday, November 3, 2024 (registration will close once full)
Activity Level: Moderate walking around Biltmore Estate house & grounds, River Arts District and Downtown Asheville.
Weather: The average temperature in December during the day is 48 and 33 in the evening.
Inspirational Speaker: Ingrid Peschke, CS
“How can we as Christian Scientists bring our love for God to our community–especially in times of need?”
Ingrid Peschke Speaker Bio
Ingrid Peschke is a lifelong Christian Scientist and has been in the fulltime public practice of Christian Science since 2004. Ingrid is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area where she developed her love of hiking and outdoor activities. She and her husband, who is a Christian Scientist from Germany, met as students at Principia College. They raised their three children in the Boston area where they all regularly enjoyed Discovery Bound events and programs.
Ingrid was listed in the Journal as a practitioner shortly after she and her family moved to the Boston area for her work at The Mother Church where she served as an editor for The Christian Science periodicals and as the Massachusetts Committee on Publication. She and her family moved to North Carolina in 2019 and she is currently finishing her term as First Reader of the Charlotte church.
Ingrid is a regular contributor to the Christian Science periodicals and The Christian Science Monitor’s religious perspective column. She now works remotely for The Mother Church as the Community Relations Liaison. She travels regularly to Boston to meet with community members and partners.
Questions? Contact: Lori Selby [email protected] or 781-956-9035
Agenda:
| Thursday, Dec. 5 | |
| 4:00-7:00 PM | Check In at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore Dinner on your own |
| 7:30 PM | Welcome, Introductions, Weekend Overview |
| 9:00 | Settle in for the night |
| Friday, Dec. 6 | |
| 7:30 AM | Lesson Study at Hospitality Room (optional) |
| 8:15 | Breakfast at Doubletree |
| 9:30 | Inspirational Talk |
| 10:30 | Grab your items for the day |
| 10:45 | DB Shuttle to Omni Grove Park Inn |
| 12:30 | Lunch on your own at Omni Grove Park Inn |
| 2:00 | Depart to Hotel or Biltmore |
| 2:45 | Depart to Biltmore |
| 3:00 | Entrance to Biltmore |
| 3:15 | Explore Biltmore Grounds (conservatory & gardens) |
| 5:00 | Group 1 dinner at Stable Cafe |
| 5:15 | Group 2 & 3 dinner at Stable Cafe |
| 7:15 | Candlelight Evening self-guided tour of Biltmore Estate |
| 9:15 | DB shuttle back to Doubletree Hotel or Antler Hill Village Illumination |
| Saturday, Dec. 7 | |
| 7:00 AM | Lesson Study (optional) |
| 7:30-8:15 | Breakfast at Doubletree |
| 8:30 – 11:30 | Community Service (optional) |
| 9:15 | River Arts District (optional – location TBD) |
| 11:30 | Biltmore Gate House Entrance |
| 12:00 | Lunch at Cedric’s Tavern at Antler Hill Village |
| 1:30 | Explore Antler Hill Village |
| 3:30 | Chihuly Exhibit at Deerpark on Biltmore Grounds |
| 4:45 | Depart to Downtown Asheville |
| 5:00 | Enjoy shops at downtown Asheville |
| 5:45 | Dinner on your own but we have a group reservation at Tupelo Honey Restaurant |
| 6:00 | Dinner on your own but we have a group reservation at Tupelo Honey Restaurant |
| 7:30 | Browse in Shops |
| 8:30 | Head back to Doubletree |
| 8:45 | Gratitude & Highlights at Doubletree |
| 9:30 | Settle in for the night until 11:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 8 | |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at Doubletree |
| 9:00 | Pack up |
| 10:00 | Depart hotel and head to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Asheville |
| 10:30 | Church Service |
| 11:30 | Farewell |
| 12:00 | DB shuttles head to Asheville airport |