CC's Random Thoughts

Navigation

Franklin, TN, USA		Manila, Philippines

Temperature:	As of :	Temperature:	As of :

Background pictures illustrate current weather conditions

CC's Tweets

Friday, October 20, 2006

Biltmore was the Best!

Current Mood:

Biltmore was SO cool. It was one of those experiences where it doesn't really hit you until the day after just how awesome that place is.

If you're ever going to the Biltmore, I suggest you get the guide book first and read up on it before you do the actual tour. There were many things that Steve and I didn't know about until we were reading the guide later that night and we were like, "Oh MAN I wish we took a closer look at that."

Some of the things that impressed me:

The Vanderbilts, as rich as they are, were not "evil rich." You know what I mean, you've seen it on TV: abusive and demanding rich people who ruled their estate by striking fear in their servants' hearts. The Vanderbilts were not like that at all. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, even though she had the money to buy the most expensive dresses, started the trend of wearing the dresses that the estate employees made. The servants' children and grandchildren still work on the estate today, and I think that's one of the best indicators that the original employees felt they were treated well.
George Vanderbilt was considered one of the most well-read men in America at the time. Beginning when he was 12 years old, George made a list of all the books he read. During his life, he read 3,159 books (about two books a week). The huge library, with its 10,000 books, only holds half of his 23,000 book collection.
When she was 13 years old, Cornelia Vanderbilt (the last Vanderbilt) received 25 cents a week for her allowance. In 1913, 25 cents was worth $4.62 of today’s money.
I SO want to take a tour that shows me where all those secret passages lead to. You're told where it leads, I just want to actually walk through them :-).

The tour was wonderful (and I recommend you spend the extra $7 for the audio), but it was a little difficult to enjoy it to the fullest when you're surrounded by people, all of whom are trying to see the same thing. Sometimes they become impatient, sometimes YOU become impatient. I would LOVE to walk through this place again without the traffic, just taking my time :-).

Click here to get a sample of what the audio tour is like.

Steve and I have decided that we'll be going back there again for another vacation some time in the future, and next time we're going to take it one step further: we'll stay at the Biltmore Inn, a 4-star hotel right at the Estate. We would've loved to stay in one of the estate cottages, but we think it'll be WAY too expensive especially since it comes with your own butler and chef :-).

The guidebook is available at the Biltmore website for $11.95 and you can order it by clicking here.

Labels: Travel

Posted by Unknown | 7:08 AM | 0 Comments |

Write or read comments about this entry