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 • Climb the famous Appalachian Trail for views of the Smokies, including Mount Le Conte and Myrtle Point • Pass by Fraser fir and red spruce woods, keeping an eye out for wildlife • Take in an impressive panorama from the rugged rocky outcrop of Charles Bunion • Hike through an old-growth forest to a formation of black slate dubbed Arch Rock • Climb stone-carved stairs to catch sight of the Eye of the Needle—a hole in the top of the rock • Gaze above for passing peregrine falcons • Admire Alum Cave, a massive concave overhang towering 80 feet high • Walk along trails that show off the seasons—blooming dogwoods and azaleas in spring, bright mountain laurel and rhododendron tangles in summer and spectacular foliage displays in fall • Discover incredible geologic formations at the top of Mount Le Conte • Savor handcrafted cocktails 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, Spruce Flats Falls.