Travel + Leisure’s “It List”

It’s here! Travel & Leisure magazine has listed its Top 50 best new hotels for 2012 on their “It List” and the choices are as varied in style as they are in price. But what caught my eye? The Corinthia Hotel in London, England… a dream destination indeed!  Travel  is divine and quite the luxury these days, but if I had my druthers, as they say, it would be England for sure! Yes, our neighbor across the pond is trending hot these days as her Majesty The Queen readies for her “Diamond Jubilee” and is just a heartbeat away from hosting the Olympic Games. It is, for me, the stuff of fairy-tales with Royal splendor, charming Princes, an ever alluring and fashionable Princess, the arts, the rich history, culture, the pleasures of an afternoon tea, and of course its overall style! I say, “what could be more appealing?“  oh, I know! A five star, opulent and luxurious hotel!…A girl can dream! (Well, that’s my dream choice anyway) but, truly the choices are endless to visit on this great big blue marble. So, why not let Travel and Leisure help you out with their well researched, and experienced choice destinations.

Here are just a few from the top 50, check out the full list here: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/it-list-the-best-new-hotels/1

1st up is the “Corinthia Hotel”-London

Below_ Row 4: Hotel Le Bristol – Paris, Row 6: Petit St. Vincent – The Grenadines, Row 8: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan – Egypt, Row 10: The St. Regis Bal Harbour – Miami Beach, Florida

Ronda

October 27, 2009

Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore Estate America’s Largest Home, 8,000 Acre Estate of George and Edith Vanderbuilt

Azalea Steps in Spring

I made a trip up to Asheville to visit the famous Biltmore Estate about a week ago right at the start of fall. It is just majestic in these parts. My day started at 4:30a.m. leaving Highpoint North Carolina and had about 150 some miles to travel. With leaving at this early hour you don’t see much as it was pitch black and all the highways are without lights. At around 7a.m. that morning the sun came up over the beautiful mountains and all the trees were just glorious in color. Being a California girl most of my life had not seen the south in the fall what a wonderful thing to be able to experience. It was just beautiful. The amount of trees is an amazing site when you drive up to Asheville it really is a beautiful little town. My first stop was at the McDonalds in Asheville as I heard that it was replicated after the Biltmore Estate some of the features were the beautiful copper ceiling tiles. Along with all the wood molding and fireplaces. I have been to a lot of McDonalds in my days but this was the fanciest little place. They have a piano that plays itself. I really recommend if you are heading to Asheville to stop and see the McDonalds. Then head right over across the street to drive right into the Biltmore Estate. I decided to visit the Biltmore Estate to see all the Architecture of America’s largest home. My background is in textiles and it was lovely to see all the textiles that dated back to 1895 and to see the furniture and was pretty amazing. I am a library buff and to see the Library in this home the floor to ceiling shelves of books really made me think how many books did the family actually read. I know that George Vanderbuilt was a reader and loved art and architecture. The outdoor gardens are just, spectacular to see in the spring time I may have to make another trip and bring my family this time. Here are some pictures I found of the Biltmore Estate in different seasons to give you the idea of just how spectacular this place is. I would highly recommend you visiting the Biltmore Estate it is a beautiful place to visit. I guarantee you will be happy you stopped by to see the history as well as the beauty.

Biltmore Estate America’s Largest Home
In Fall

This is an 8,000 acre estate the home features 250 rooms filled with art and antiques.

Beautiful Outdoor Garden

The Inn on Biltmore Estate

When you visit the Biltmore I highly recommend you visit the pool area of the Inn at Sunset. You will see the entire valley all the way around.
The sweeping hills are just lovely.

Joni