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64 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com FLIP IDE Historical get-aways near and far. the TRAVEL Asheville, North Carolina West Berkshire, England S Nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, just 10 hours from Sarasota, Asheville offers visitors a harmonious blend of Art Deco architecture, Jazz Age vestiges, and Mid-Atlantic affluence. Entertainment options are endless: the city is teeming with boutiques, microbreweries, Southern eateries, and artistic venues (the River Arts district is a must-visit!) ose craving a healthy dose of luxurious history will feel at home at the Biltmore Estate. An Asheville landmark, it was built by Vanderbilt the II in 1895. e estate is America's largest private home and occupies 250 acres of manicured gardens, as well as boasting amenities such as an indoor pool and bowling alley. Plan to spend a day at the Estate: a tour of the home's interior and exterior plus additional time for a visit to the vineyard and the Biltmore village. By Lexi Allen Price Point: e price of a stay ranges greatly, depending upon the loyalty of the fan to luxurious Downton life. Estates such as the Vineyard offer a "Downton Getaway" for $470 a night. A seven-day Downton Abbey-themed tour package can cost upwards of $4500. Across the pond, West Berkshire is the tiny rustic town home to Highclere Castle, the starring estate in the PBS show "Downton Abbey." Located on the River ames and surrounded by lush valleys, the village itself is limited in its offerings to tourists passing through, but the county of Berkshire is quaintly British. As one of the oldest counties in the country, it has a rich history of medieval battles, a booming sheep-farming industry, and myriad castles and estates, including the famous Windsor Castle. Coworth Park, which borders on Windsor Castle, is an idyllic country house retreat for those who want to spend more time in the country. If you're craving more Downton, Bampton, one of the oldest villages in the UK and the location of all Downton Abbey village scenes, is just an hour's drive from the estate. Price Point: Hotel options range from rooms and suites at the Estate or the breathtaking resort, Omni Grove Park Inn, a few miles away. A fairly modest night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate starts at around $400, whereas surrounding bed- and-breakfasts offer rooms for approximately $200. VS.