Meet in Asheville—a town with an appealing blend of Jazz Age sophistication and bohemian eccentricity • Soak up the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with stretch-forever vistas of valleys, mountains, woodland, waterfalls and historic sites • In the Great Balsam Mountains, keep an eye out for migratory birds as you scan alpine views • Our walk through pine and hemlock woodland in DuPont State Forest is all about waterfalls—four postcard-perfect cascades that range from 8 to 120 feet • Trek to Bridal Veil Falls to witness its waters rushing down exposed granite • Take in the forest surroundings from the private porch of your cabin in Pisgah Forest • End the day with a lively bluegrass performance during dinner.

Step into Tennessee for our first hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve with hundreds of miles of breathtaking backcountry • Climb the famous Appalachian Trail for views of the Smokies, including Mount Le Conte and Myrtle Point • Pass through Fraser fir and red spruce woods, keeping an eye out for wildlife from deer to bears • Arrive at the rugged rocky outcrop of Charles Bunion to take in the impressive panorama • Hike through an old-growth forest along a creek to a formation of black slate dubbed Arch Rock • Climb stairs carved into the stone to catch sight of the mountain scenery, including the Eye of the Needle—a hole in the top of the rock at Little Duck Hawk Ridge • Gaze above for passing peregrine falcons • Admire Alum Cave, a massive concave overhang towering 80 feet high • Walk along trails that show off their seasons—blooming dogwoods and azaleas in spring, bright mountain laurel and rhododendron tangles in summer and spectacular foliage displays in fall • Discover geologic formations at the top of Mount Le Conte, one of the highest Smoky Mountains • Savor handcrafted cocktails and dishes inspired by the region at Dancing Bear Lodge • Gather around as an Appalachian storyteller brings the region's culture and history to life • Salute the sun with an optional outdoor yoga class • Hike to one of the most scenic falls in the Great Smoky Mountains.