ASHEVILLE, N. C. -- For the general public, the 250-room Biltmore House here is a chateau of opulence on a grand scale, but to George Washington Vanderbilt it was simply his summer home and gathering place for his friends and family.

A vision became a reality and after six years of construction was completed and opened on Christmas eve, 1895. The Vanderbilts used revenues from their rail and steel fortunes to build a special railroad line several miles from Asheville to haul in the huge amount of Indiana limestone and wood to build the French Renaissance chateau. George Vanderbilt named his estate by combining the name of the Dutch village where the Vanderbilt family originated -Bildt - with the Old English word for rolling hills- More.

The family used the home only on a seasonal basis for years before the chateau was opened to the public in 1930. Approximately one million visitors a year visit the 175,000 square feet Biltmore House, the largest private home in America. The home is now owned by Vanderbilt's grandson, William Vanderbilt Cecil and is a for-profit operation

The giant stone house sits on a hillside with commanding views of surrounding North Carolina mountains and the French Broad and Swannoa rivers.

The enormity of the home is personified by its statistics: It has a huge two-story library with thousands of books, 43 bathrooms, 34 master bedrooms, its own indoor swimming pool and bowling alley. Beautiful artwork and statuary worth millions of dollars punctuate dozens of the rooms. Huge drapes and tapestry, rugs and curtains from around the world add an air of distinction. The period furniture and decorations include a chess set once owned by Napolean.

The house and grounds have been featured in several movies, including the 1979 major film "Being There" with Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine and Melvin Douglas.

The Biltmore Hlouse is spectacular in any season, but at Christmastime there is a magical aura, as thousands of twinkling lights, hundreds of poinsettias, dozens of decorated Christmas trees (highlighted by a giant 35-foot tall decorated live fraser fir in the atrium at the main entrance) filling the house with cheer to delight the young and the young at heart.

For many the onset of the holiday season begins with their annual visit to the Biltmore, sharing with family and friends the fine art, lavish furnishings and antiques that were collected from around the world.

Visitors should plan at least one full day to tour, not only the house but also the grounds, stables, farm village and the winery (and, of course, the beautiful walled floral gardens during the warmer months).

The estate grounds include several gift shop areas, rest rooms and baby changing areas. Also available are numerous hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.

Some guests choose the 213-room Biltmore Inn on the estate for a weekend getaway and enjoy one of the many events which occur throughout the year, including the winery summerfest, summer evening concerts, harvest home celebration and Christmas season candlelight evening tours. The special Christmas holiday decorations and tours run Nov 4 - Jan.1 and the Candlelight Tours Nov .4-Dec. 31.The Biltmore Estate is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

. The inn first opened in 2001 and has already earned a four-star rating from the Mobil Travel Guide and four-diamond rating from AAA. For information and/or reservations call 877-324-5856. The dining room at the inn is traditionally formal and the menu is continental cuisine with a regional flair. There are several more dining areas available, including a buffet restaurant.

Visitors often take time out for a cup of gourmet coffee and/or pastry after a stroll through the many gardens or perhaps grab lunch at The Stable Cafe. Dinners at The Bistro restaurant offer the "field to table" concept, using produce and meats direct from the estate farm. The farm also produces milk products sold throughout the region.

A visit to the Biltmore House is a return to a more graceful time in America, a period of unequalled elegance. For most, such an exquisite lifestyle would be only a dream.

But now anyone can walk, feel and see what the billionaire Vanderbilts experienced -- a true slice of long-ago Americana.

The Biltmore Estate entrance main gate is located near the intersection of Interstate Highways 40 and 26 (exit 50 and 50B off Interstate 40).

Ticket prices for daytime tours Mon.-Thur. are $42 and Fri.-Sat. are $44. For information, contact the Biltmore Company at 877-324-5866 or visit their website at www.biltmore.com.

This story was published on 21 Dec 2005.