DAY 1: Sunday, September 5

• Depart from the Terminal; Available pickups: Mansfield, Blossburg, Liberty, Williamsport
  PLEASE NOTE: The above pickups are available, but you must notify the office of your pickup location. We do not stop at all pickup, unless people are designated to get on at that location.
• BREAKFAST is included this morning.
• Lunch break en route to our hotel.
• MYSTERY ATTRACTION is included this afternoon to break up our travel day.
• Check into our OVERNIGHT HOTEL to rest and freshen up before dinner.
• Tonight, DINNER is included at a local restaurant.  

DAY 2: Monday, September 6

• BREAKFAST is included at the hotel, before checking out and departing for Newport News, VA.
•  Check out and depart for Asheville, with a lunch break made en route.
• Check in to your FIRST-CLASS LODGING at THE VILLAGE HOTEL AT BILTMORE ESTATE, your home for the next 4 NIGHTS.
• Tonight, DINNER is included at a local restaurant.
  

DAY 3: Tuesday, September 7

• BREAKFAST is included at the hotel.
• This morning, explore the beauty and history of Western North Carolina with your STEP-ON GUIDED TOUR through vibrant Asheville and along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.  A knowledgeable local guide joins our group on board to share engaging stories about Asheville's artsy downtown, historic architecture, and cultural highlights, then leads you onto the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway for breathtaking overlooks, lush forests, and panoramic mountain views. Throughout the journey, the guide provides insights into regional history, geology, and folklore.  This immersive experience combines natural beauty with local flavor, making it a memorable way to discover the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• FREE TIME and lunch on your own in Asheville, NC near the Lexington Glassworks.
• Explore LEXINGTON GLASSWORKS, located in the heart of downtown Asheville, NC.  The Glassworks business was born out of te desire to create timeless and innovative hand-blown glass and custom lighting.  Each piece is skillfully crafted using century-old techniques and locally sourced material with the singular goal of creating top-notch work.
• Visit to THE SOUTHERN HIGHLAND CRAFT GUILD'S FOLK-ART CENTER.  It is one of the most celebrated cultural attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It serves as the headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, a nonprofit organization representing over 800 juried artisans from nine southeastern states, and has been dedicated to preserving and promoting Appalachian craft traditions since its founding in 1930.
• Enjoy a FARM-TO-TABLE DINNER at RED ROCKER INN (or similar) near Black Mountain, NC.

DAY 4: Wednesday, September 8

• BREAKFAST is included at the hotel.
• This morning, tour the BILTMORE ESTATE.  The Biltmore Estate is America's largest privately-owned home, built by George W. Vanderbily in 1895.  This magnificent 250-room French Renaissance chateau features grand architecture, fine art, and elegany furnishings. Visitors can TOUR THE MANSION, STROLL THROUGH LUSH GARDENS designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and enjoy WINE TASTINGS at the BILTMORE WINERY. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the estate offers breathtaking scenery, world-class dining and timeless Southern hospitalitity. 
• LUNCH is included at the Biltmore - with some INTERESTING CHARACTERS entertaining you and maybe even dropping some hints to the ultimate game of MURDER AT THE BILTMORE.
• This afternoon, explore the CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (based on availability) where the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize winning poet and author are preserved.  Located in Flat Rock, NC, the site includes the Sandburg family home, historic barns, and scenic walking trails.  Visitors can explore his personal collections, enjoy tranquil gardens, and experience Sandburg's inspiring literary heritage.

DAY 4: Wednesday, September 8 (continued...)

• DINNER is included at the CAMPFIRE GRILLE or HUBBA HUBBA SMOKE HOUSE near Flat Rock, NC.
• Tonight, enjoy a THEATRE PERFORMANCE at the FLATROCK PLAYHOUSE - a celebrated professional nonprofit theatre located in the picturesque village of Flat Rock in western North Carolina.  It holds the prestigous designation as the State Theatre of North Caroline, a title bestowed upon it by the state's general assembly in 1961, in recognition of its artistic excellence and cultural significance.
  

DAY 5: Thursday, September 9

• BREAKFAST is included at the hotel.
• Step aboard the GREAT SMOKY RAILROAD for a first-class journey through breathtaking mountain landscapes.  Relax in climate-controlled comfort with panoramic windows and plush seating as you enjoy a freshly prepared, CHEF-SERVED MEAL featuring regional Southern cuisine and a full bar service.  This elevated experience combines scenic beauty, fine dining, and nostalgi charm - offering an unforgettable way to explore the heart of the Smokies aboard one of America's most picturesque TRAIN RIDES.  But don't let your hard down!  There's murder afoot.
• A "revealing" DINNER is included at the STABLE CAFE.  Be on the lookout for who, why and how someone may be aiming to do something rash.  Who Dunnit?  Keep your ears listening and your eyes wide open.  We will discuss the clues over a delicious meal.  Then, it will be time to reveal who committed MURDER AT THE BILTMORE.
• Tonight, experience THE LUMINERE at the Biltmore Estate - a groundbreaking new immersive outdoor event - the first of its kind in the estate's 130-year history. It transforms the iconic Biltmore House and its renowned gardens into a luminous, story-driven nightscape through artful light installations, animated projections, and a custom soundscape, offering visitors a fresh and magical way to experience one of America's most beloved histori attractions after dark.  As dusk falls, guests embark on a SELF-GUIDED JOURNEY through a series of themed outdoor settings - including the facade of the mansion, the Italian Garden, Pergola, Shrub Garden, Walled Garden, and Conservatory - where dramatic lighting and imagery bring the estate's architecture, landscapes, and rich legacy to life. The visual spectacle is synchronized with an original musical score composed by Julian Grefe and performed with the Asheville Symphony, creating a multisensory experience that evokes wonder, reflection, and storytelling.

DAY 6: Friday, September 10 (11 hours travel time)

• BREAKFAST is included at the hotel. 
• Check out and depart, with lunch and rest breaks made as needed, as well as a driver swap en route.
• Before returning to Wellsboro, a FAREWELL DINNER is included at a popular restaurant.