If you’ve only got a quick stop-over in Asheville, NC, here are some great experiences that will have you booking the follow-up trip.

Breakfast at Old Europe Pastries

It didn’t take us long to follow the European theme that runs through the city. Start the day with a taste of Europe at Old Europe Pastries. Located in downtown, this old-world bakery and coffee shop offers intimate seating or to-go coffees and pastries. The family-owned business with deep European roots welcomes you with scrumptious sweets and pastries.

Talk a Walk in Downtown Asheville

Here’s some options for a morning/afternoon of discovery:

• LaZoom | It’s a 1980s non-airconditioned purple school bus, but don’t let that scare you. This guided tour of Asheville stirs up a little history and a lot of bawdiness for 90-minutes of non-stop laughs. The Hey Asheville City Comedy Tour (most popular and the one we took) are at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. daily; tours run on the hour on Saturdays. Tour options include the Fender Bender Band & Beer Bus (21 and older), Ghosted Haunted Comedy Tour (17 and older, 8:30 p.m.) and the Lil Boogers Kids’ Comedy Tour. Check the website for more information and booking.
  75 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville; open daily

• Wake Foot Sanctuary | Sit back and relax with this mini escape. Treat your feet to a rejuvenating massage and de-stress for the entire day. It’s the best 45-minutes of your entire day. There’s an extensive menu of spa services, so pick the one that will delight your soul.
  1 Page Avenue, Asheville inside Historic Grove Arcade; open daily

• Asheville Bee Charmer | Local honey showcased in many products (skin care, home goods, etc.). Not sure which type of honey is your favorite? Step to the back of the shop and take a honey dipper and taste your favorite. According to the shop — and this writer — the best is sourwood honey, “the sweetheart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.”
  32 Broadway and 38 Battery Park Ave., Asheville; open daily

• Tops for Shoes | I can not help myself, nor can any other woman who stops at Tops. No matter the brand or the style, it’s there. Thousands to select from, and I dare you to walk out without a bag. The main store is located on North Lexington Avenue, but if you’re looking for a fabulous deal, shop around the corner at their clearance shop. I walked out with four pairs.
  27 North Lexington Avenue, Asheville; open Monday - Saturday

• adlib | Women’s clothing and accessories with a pop of sass.
  23 Haywood Street, Asheville; open daily

• Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar | One of my absolute favorite shops to get lost in while in Asheville. Located in the Grove Arcade, the shop is filled with literary masterpieces, art and antiques, and you can discover each and every one with a flight of champagne in hand. It’s a great way to sip the pricier champagnes you’ve only dreamed of having; the selections are outstanding. The charcuterie boards and seasonal bites add a nice touch, and hours later, you’ll wonder where the afternoon went.
  1 Page Avenue, Asheville; open Wednesday - Sunday

• French Broad Chocolate Lounge | It’s all about the chocolate, from bean to bar, in whatever form or taste that excites your palette. Tour the factory (821 Riverside Drive) Monday - Saturday; enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting on Sundays and Thursdays, both require reservations (online). Visit the downtown chocolate lounge and treat yourself to artisan concoctions (bonbons, cakes, custards, cookies, and drinkable chocolate) that will sweeten the trip.
  10 S. Pack Square, Asheville; open daily

• Mast General Store | A North Carolina icon, Mast General Store has everything in its Asheville location that you’ve come to expect from the legendary general store. Yes, barrels and barrels of candy.
  15 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville; open daily

• Asheville Art Museum | View exhibits featuring the artisans and stories of Western North Carolina. Permanent and traveling exhibitions.
  2 Pack Street, Asheville; closed Tuesday; $15 general admission

• Mamacita’s Taqueria | You know its a great place to eat when the locals pile in. A true cantina with the freshest of ingredients for handmade specialties, a full bar, and oh yea, beer. Real margaritas without all that fake stuff, too. A great place to lunch before the LaZoom bus tour (directly across the street).
  77 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville; open daily

Always Biltmore Estate

Located about two miles from downtown Asheville is Biltmore Estate where George and Edith Vanderbilt’s dream transports visitors to the French countryside. From the house to the gardens and grounds, the winery and Antler Hill Village, the experience never wains regardless of the number of times you have visited. These 8,000 acres showcase the Pisgah National Forest while educating what life was like for one of the richest men in America at the turn of the 20th century. Within the house, the furnishings, the tapestries (my favorite), the library, and the Grand Hall absolutely provide awe and amazement at what was possible. Book a one-day pass online or if you’re local to the area or plan on visiting at least two times during the year, opt for the Annual Pass, allowing you to experience each season as well as save money.
Plan for at least three-to-four hours onsite at Biltmore for a basic walk-through introduction.
One Lodge Street, Asheville; open daily

Dinner at Strada Italiano

A traditional Italian trattoria in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Can there be anything better?

For dinner, enjoy Stada Italiano located in downtown. As an Italian citizen with a Sicilian grandmother who demanded authentic taste and preparation, I’m a harsh critic. My choice, the Grilled Florentine Ravioli took me back to grandmother’s kitchen. We also ordered the Short Rib Bolognese that was even better the next day. For us, when we speak to a restaurant’s authenticity, we look for two distinct patterns: dishes that are traditional to Italy (and not America) and wine of our favorite region, Sicily. We ordered Arancini (rice balls) for an appetizer and a red Nero d’ Avola Sicilian wine. A great meal and an extraordinary end to a day of exploration. Online reservations are recommended.
27 Broadway Street, Asheville; open Monday - Friday, 3 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Make it a Weekend at The Windsor Boutique Hotel

When you realize 24-hours is not enough, check in to The Windsor Boutique Hotel on Broadway, directly across the street from Strada Italiano. Upscale accommodations in the heart of downtown provide the ideal home base for exploring more of the city.

The historic building has been many enterprises, but today, it's a hotel which provides 14 suites (king and queen), each decorated with a Parisian influence. Each suite has a private bedroom, bathroom (LATHER amenities), a full kitchen, a washer and dryer plus a living room to relax after your grand Italian meal. Pick up beverages and snacks in the lobby, available free to all guests. A bag of Dynamite Roasting Co. coffee waits for you beside the coffee maker. If the coffee doesn’t convince you of the feel of home, the pine wood floors will. The staff is impeccable and are ready to make your stay in Asheville even more memorable.
36 Broadway Street, Asheville