A weekend in Asheville

The Grove Park Inn is one of the South's grand hotels. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth a visit. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests to the west and south are gorgeous, with innumerable hiking trails, while Smoky Mountains National Park is a short drive away. If you mountain bike, bring your bike with you, because the Tsali trail network is only an hour away. For sightseeing, the Biltmore house and gardens are just outside of town. The house is massive, and the grounds are as beautiful as the house itself.

Quick Tips:

The best time to go to Asheville is in the spring or fall. The fall is especially beautiful, but hotel rates usually go up. The winters are also good; the best skiing in North Carolina is about an hour and a half away at Sugar Mountain, although other ski resorts are closer.

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll definitely need a car. Asheville is easy to reach from Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte by interstate.

Luxurious. The hotel has a commanding view of the valley and the Asheville skyline from its huge deck. Having a drink on the deck before dinner as the sun goes down is something you''ll want to come back for. The amazing lobby has mission-style furniture and huge fireplaces with high ceilings. The rooms are very nice, although I''d recommend staying in the old hotel rather than the newer wings - the rooms in the old hotel have more personality. The resort also has a few restaurants - one of which is extremely nice with a dress code that serves various game dishes. This is a very romantic place to stay, so if you''re trying to impress someone... The resort also has golf and tennis, and they should be done with their $20 million spa any day (the spa looks unbelievable). Be sure to check out swanky new website for specials (under Rates and Packages).

One of the best meals I've ever had, vegetarian or not. The restaurant is in a quaint part of downtown lined with shops and restaurants. The restaurant itself is very attractive, which only adds to the phenomenal food. Try the Mondo Max Veggie Nachos to start, which were by far the best I've ever had. For an entree I'd highly recommend the Kung Pao Stir Fry and the Harmony Bowl. The restaurant also serves local microbrews.

The house itself is massive and stunning. Men beware, though - you may find yourself waiting on your girlfriend or wife while she lingers in some of the rooms. I enjoyed the walk through the rooms, but I could have done it a little quicker. I actually preferred walking through the grounds - if you do go, spend an entire day and enjoy the beautiful landscape. The winery was fairly interesting, but if you know wine, you won't miss much if you don't go - some of the wines at the tasting were puckeringly sweet.

Tsali has the best known trail network in the Southeast for mountain bikers, and its popularity is well justified. There are four trails, two of which are over ten miles, two of which are around seven miles. The trails are available on alternate days, so that horseback riders can use the trails a few days a week. The best trails - the two longer loops - are open for bikers Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. There is a $3 parking fee. The trails skirt along Lake Fontana, and they have few technical sections - these trails are made for speed, not root jumping. There are long stretches of downhill that will get your adrenaline pumping like a roller coaster. You may also see wildlife - on my trips there I've seen dozens of deer and even a bobcat. Visit http://www.mtbikewnc.com/ for directions and information. For a good meal afterwards, go to the Jarrett House in Dillsboro for a huge, all-you-can-eat, Southern-style meal. Happy riding.

Do you like cheap souvenirs, gambling, strip malls, crowds, and surreal, offensive kitsch? If so, then Cherokee is the place for you. If you don''''t like these things, however, stay as far away from Cherokee as you can. Unfortunately, if you''''re going into the Smoky Mountains National Park from the south, you almost have to go through it. The simple existence of this eyesore on the edge of one of our most beautiful (and grossly overcrowded) national parks is disturbing to me. Even more disturbing is how crowded the place is. Just my opinion, but I found absolutely nothing of any redeeming value here.