Destination Spotlight: North Carolina

Life & Style: North Carolina
From the wooded heights of the Smoky Mountains to the surf-fringed elbows of the Outer Banks, North Carolina offers visitors an abundant historical, natural and cultural legacy. You can keep rhythm with a band belting out bluegrass tunes after studying the ramparts of old Civil War forts and battlefields. During wintertime, the skies unfurl blankets of snow for your skiing or snowboarding delight. Springtime witnesses wildflowers blossoming across the laps of the mountains. During summer months, visitors enjoy activities like whitewater rafting or frolicking in the warm waters of the Atlantic alongside dolphins on the move. Pork BBQ and delicious fresh local seafood, such as crabs, scallops and shrimp consecrate the palate with the savory flavors of the region. Seek it and you'll probably find it in this state that stands out as one of the most desirable destinations to visit in the entire U.S.

Where to Stay: Old Edwards Inn & Spa
In the charming, historic mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina, amid trilling brooks and winding trails, you'll discover world-class luxury at the Old Edwards Inn & Spa. This sumptuous retreat puts a fresh spin on understated elegance by mixing period antiques, European bedding, Frette linens, wireless Internet access and plasma televisions in its 32 individually designed guestrooms, suites and cottages. Baths feature plush robes, rainfall showers and heated-tile floors with the finest amenities. The spa itself is a marvel, beguiling in its spectrum of total pampering that includes a Rainforest Rejuvenation Room, Four Hand Massage and a gloriously soothing whirlpool. Many regard Madison's as the finest dining in the region, with its distinctive selection of the freshest local and regional ingredients and exceptional wine list. With ample access to numerous outdoor adventures in the pristine surrounding mountains and such an amazing array of first-rate amenities, Old Edwards Inn & Spa is certain to enchant the discriminating traveler.

Getting There and Around
Major airports in North Carolina include Charlotte/Douglas, Greensboro - Piedmont Triad, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington International Airports. Car rentals are an excellent way to cover ground. The Yadkin River railway runs between Charlotte and Raleigh. The North Carolina Ferry System sends ferries to and from the beach areas such as Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands.

The Top Ten Things to do in North Carolina:

1. Tour George Vanderbilt's elaborate 225-room Biltmore Estate located in Asheville. The estate includes a winery with a visitor center, tasting room and shop where bottles of the local vintage are sold.: www.biltmoreestate.com
2. Explore the magnificent North Carolina Mountains, including Mount Mitchell (2040m/6684ft), the highest peak in Eastern America. Two hundred peaks in the Appalachian Mountain chain reach more than 1.6km (1 mile) high.
3. Visit Cape Hatteras and the Lighthouse - A haven for recreation and reflection, the islands of Cape Hatteras are constantly changed by tide, storm, current and wind. The plants, wildlife and people who live here adapt continually. You see in their daily lives and hear it in the telling of their stories.
4. Travel along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds along the spine of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains: www.nps.gov/blri
5. Stroll through a rainforest of tropical birds at the North Carolina Zoo. Gaze across a prairie filled with bison. Sit face-to-face with polar bears and walkabout with kangaroos. This world-class Zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals from Africa & North America! www.nczoo.org
6. Go fishing in North Carolina's mountain trout streams, which are considered by knowledgeable anglers to be the finest in the Eastern United States. And there's no better time to tie into a rainbow, brook or brownie (all three are found here) than in May. May and June are the prime months.
7. Visit Harrah's Cherokee Casino. Offering 60,000 square feet of gaming area containing 2,400 video-based machines, three restaurants, a child-care facility and entertainment in a 1,500-seat theater. Must be 18 or older to enter the gaming area (photo ID required).www.harrahs.com
8. Visit Transylvania County. Known as the Land of Waterfalls, it has all the adventure you can handle. Whether you're a novice or an experienced outdoor enthusiast, you'll discover hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Over a third of the county is covered by Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest and Gorges State Park.
9. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Site of the world's first controlled powered flights by the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903. Museum exhibits, reproduction of the 1903 airplane and 1902 glider. www.nps.gov/wrbr
10. See the Battleship North Carolina Come aboard and explore nine decks, crew's quarters, gun turrets, and much more. Located one hour north of Myrtle Beach on Hwy 17 North or two hours southeast of Raleigh on I-40 east across from historic downtown Wilmington at the junction of highways 17/74/76/421.