Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1532915
P H OTO S BY A N D R E W C E B U L K A ( LU M I N O S A ) , C A R R I E T U R N E R ( A N O L I N I ) , T I M R O B I S O N (C H A I PA N I ) , C O U R T E S Y O F AQ UA Z Z U R A , A R A VA R TA N I A N , F E R R AG A M O , V E R O N I C A B E A R D -- custom hand-painted wallpaper depicting classic vignettes of Asheville's historic landmarks. In addition to one of the city's best restaurants, Luminosa (see below), the hotel includes a jewel-like speakeasy bar in the basement, and a rooftop terrace featuring panoramic views of downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains. AFTERNOON Hit the streets Walking around downtown, you'll find a mix of creativity and singular charm. It is brimming with colorful murals, unique shops, and plenty of local musicians. You'll catch the smell of fresh coffee and delicious food from the many restaurants (Asheville Proper, Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, Chestnut, or Mountain Madre) and cafés, while art galleries, bookstores, and craft stores invite you to explore. The low profile of the local architecture means nothing interferes with the breathtaking mountain views in almost every direction. The Urban Trail is a 1.7-mile walking tour that tells Asheville's history through 30 stops, each with public sculptures that function as landmarks. Or you can venture on your own path, stopping to enjoy unique spots like the Champagne Bar inside the Battery Park Book Exchange, part of the Grove Arcade. EVENING Treat yourself Dinner at Luminosa, the Italian- meets–modern Appalachian restaurant inside The Flat Iron Hotel, is one of the hardest reservations in town, so book ahead. The chef blends locally sourced Appalachian ingredients, including heritage-breed pork, beef, and chicken from a butchery dubbed one of America's best by Food & Wine, with Italian-American flavor profiles. Though the menu changes constantly, there's one dish that will never leave: the one-slice-isn't- enough lemon pizza with smoked mozzarella, ricotta, and fennel, a love letter from Executive Chef Graham House to his wife, who had a lemon tree in the yard of her childhood home in Florida. Day MORNING Nature calls Asheville offers outdoor adventures for every skill level. Plenty of easy scenic trails are nearby, from the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary—a remarkable wildlife oasis in North Asheville—to the North Carolina Arboretum. For something more epic, the top of Mount Mitchell is a bucket-list–worthy hike up the tallest peak east of the Mississippi, with views you won't forget. You'll also find some of the best mountain biking in the country, with more than 500 miles of trails in the nearby Pisgah National Forest. The Bent Creek Experimental Forest at the north end of that park offers more beginner-friendly loops. Want something more extreme? You can raft down the French Broad River's rapids, zipline high above the treetops in Pisgah, or climb the dramatic cliffs at Rumbling Bald. AFTERNOON Refuel Mingle with Asheville's most fabulous locals as you enjoy the best lunch in town at Chai Pani, the James Beard Award–winning Indian street food spot from chef Meherwan Irani, in the South Slope. The new 10,000-square-foot space is a visual riot of marigolds, murals, and pops of color almost as memorable as the food. Day Chai Pani, a popular James Beard Award-winning Indian street food restaurant Luminosa serves Italian-meets- Appalachian fare, such as corn-stuffed anolini topped with blackberry. WHAT TO PACK E ASY N I G HTS Keep the laid-back culture alive in long dresses paired with flats and simple yet standout accessories. AQUAZZURA So Nude flat sandals ARA VARTANIAN amethyst and brown diamond earrings FERRAGAMO Double Gancini crossbody bag VERONICA BEARD floral-print dress floral-print dress BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M ; B U Y I N G I N D E X , PAG E 2 0 4