Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Washington DC - Shenandoah - Charlottesville - Roanoke - Banner Elk - Asheville
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Wave goodbye to one capital and say hello to another, because today you’re flying from London to Washington DC. Make sure to check out our recommended reading list for the USA before boarding the eight-and-a-half-hour flight (time flies with a good book in hand). After landing this afternoon, collect your hire car and cruise into the capital, parking at your 1930s-inspired hotel. With Washington being five hours behind London, jet lag won’t stop you from heading out for an evening of enjoying the capital’s lively side.
Washington is a life-sized history museum, and today we’ve secured you tickets to its best attraction – the Capitol. Located on Capitol Hill, the impressive white-domed building houses the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. During this visit, you'll discover several sections: the Crypt, a circular room filled with forty neoclassical Doric columns; the Rotunda, a large domed hall located in the centre of the Capitol; and finally, the main exhibition space, known as the National Statuary Hall. Come dinner time, ask your local Concierge to secure you seats in one of the city’s best restaurants, where you can sample local delicacies from old-school burgers to the iconic half-smoke hotdog.
Spend your second day in Washington discovering more of its attractions – we recommend checking out Georgetown district (Washington’s oldest neighbourhood), the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History or the National Zoological Park. Round off your final day in the capital by trying out another of our Concierge’s top recommendations for dinner, before an early night ahead of your road trip kicking off tomorrow…
Hop into your car, buckle your seatbelts and set your satnav for Shenandoah Valley, a beautiful national park in Virginia. Soak in the sights of the Blue Ridge Mountains as you roll up to your hotel. Perched on the highest point of Skyline Druce, the only public road through the park, you’re in the prime position to admire the valley. Surrounded by 200,000 acres of protected land filled with cascading waterfalls, diverse wildlife and show-stopping views, this area is a nature-lover's paradise.
Rise bright and early, lace up your walking boots and head out for an action-packed day in Shenandoah. Ease into the day with a cruise along Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Deer, black bears and wild turkeys are known to cross the road on their daily travels, so keep an eye out for these curious creatures. The national park is also home to 500 miles of hiking trails, so pick your path and march over rocky terrains and past roaring waterfalls. To unwind after a busy day, head to Early Mountain Vineyard, where you can taste delicious wines produced in the region, paired with foods sourced from local farms.
Today’s one-and-a-half-hour drive along Blue Ridge Parkway is to Charlottesville, a city once home to presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. Check into your quirky hotel in the city’s historic downtown before exploring the local area. With over 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings, Downtown Mall will keep you busy with its al fresco dining and live music.
A stay in Charlottesville is sure to be steeped in history and education. Pay a visit to the University of Virginia, the prestigious university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, and surround yourself with the scholars of the future. Or take a trip to the past with visits to Monticello and Highland, homes of some of the United States’ first presidents.
Come evening, ask your local Concierge to book you into one of the city’s many shows, whether that be a comedy performance at Bent Theatre or a ballet at Charlottesville Ballet.
Today, you’re leaving Charlottesville for Roanoke, a city in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. After your two-hour drive, continue up Mill Mountain Parkway and make your way towards the Roanoke Star, one of the city’s famous attractions. After snapping some photos, drive back into the city and check into your downtown hotel. Mooch around its charming streets, or visit the Taubman Museum of Art, where masterpieces by American luminaries like Thomas Eakins and John Singer Sargent are on display.
Bid farewell to Virginia as you begin today’s three-and-a-half-hour drive to Banner Elk, North Carolina. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the population of this little town is around 1,000, providing an intimate and tranquil mountain retreat. Your hotel is a short drive from Banner Elk’s centre, a cosy yet modern log cabin nestled in the North Carolina Mountains of Valle Crucis. Dump your bags and head into Banner Elk’s centre to discover why it’s the culinary hotspot of the High Country – whether you’re after fine dining, quick bites from a deli or international cuisine, this town has it all.
Banner Elk and its surrounding areas are adult-sized playgrounds, with plenty of outdoor fun to fill your day here. If you’re a keen hiker, choose from one of the many trails that wind around the waterfalls and forests, such as the Elk River Falls trail that ends at the 50ft-tall waterfall. Or head to Wildcat Lake, a man-made reservoir with sandy beaches, picnic benches and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Come evening, cosy into your cabin and relax as the sun dips below the mountains.
Jump back onto Blue Ridge Parkway and carry on your road trip to Asheville, a city that’s an hour-and-ahalf southwest of Banner Elk. Check into your downtown hotel, nestled among lively breweries, historic architecture, eclectic culture, a vibrant arts scene and an abundance of trendy breweries. The hours spent exploring this afternoon and evening will fly by.
Biltmore Estate is the United States’ largest home, and today we’ve secured you tickets to explore it. Built in 1895, the house is an architectural marvel, with sumptuous clothing, works of art and decadent interiors to be discovered. The gardens are just as grand, with miles of walking trails, a rose garden home to over 250 varieties of roses, green forests and the open grasslands of Deer Park. After exploring the 8,000 acres, ask our local Concierge to snag you a table at one of the restaurants with a glorious sunset view over the Blue Ridge mountains.
Spend your second full day in Asheville exploring the River Arts District – once dominated by factories, it now hosts numerous local artists' studios. For more culture, checkout Downtown Art District for galleries and museums aplenty. If art isn't your cup of tea, fear not—Asheville also boasts endless hiking trails and an array of top-notch dining options.
Today marks the final leg of your road trip, so set your satnav for Atlanta and begin the final three-andhalf-hour drive. Your flight isn’t until the evening, so drop off the hire car and head into the city for one last lunch. Relax in the airport’s lounge before pulling on your eye mask and settling into the overnight home-bound flight.
Your flight will land in the UK in the morning, so collect your bags, hurry home and succumb to jetlag in your own bed.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
