Start off bright and early to avoid traffic on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. This byway has overlooks from which to stop and enjoy uninterrupted views of the majestic Appalachian Mountains, where fog curls up like smoke and deep-green peaks appear and disappear within minutes.

After two hours on this parkway, which winds through Grandfather Mountain State Park and Pisgah National Forest, you will arrive in Asheville, a mountain enclave favored by artists. Head directly to the Biltmore Estate, a family-owned mansion completed in 1895 on an 8,000-acre property on the outskirts of town. The manor, reminiscent of a 16th-century castle in the Loire Valley, is worth touring, and the manicured gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted are a perfect place to stretch your legs after the long drive.

Next, head up the road to Biltmore Winery in Antler Hill Village for a complimentary tasting and dine on contemporary American cuisine at adjacent Bistro, a casual restaurant that primarily employs ingredients from the estate’s farm.

Afterward, make your way to Asheville’s downtown area and park in one of the garages around South Lexington Avenue and Aston Street. Stop in at Lexington Glassworks to watch artists create colorful glass sculptures in an open studio. Walk north on Biltmore Avenue to Blue Spiral 1, a three-floor gallery concentrated on contemporary Southeastern fine art and crafts.

From there, visit Mountain Made in the historic Grove Arcade for locally made jewelry, wooden art and stained glass. East Fork is a wonderful shop to buy simply designed, handcrafted pottery made with North Carolina clay. (Visits of the studio in the town of Marshall can be arranged.) It is also worth heading to the River Arts District and stopping in at the Jonas Gerard Fine Art gallery. Gerard is a creative sculptor and painter, and his vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces are striking.

Though we do not recommend any properties in Asheville, if you are interested in spending the night, we would recommend The Omni Grove Park Inn. It is set in Grovewood Village, an enclave with an antique-car museum, working artist studios, a sculpture garden and the well-stocked Grovewood gallery for fine American arts and crafts. The hotel features an 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa and an expansive sports complex, but accommodations feel utilitarian and lack a sense of place.

From Asheville, drive one hour directly west to our recommended property, The Swag. This beautiful mountaintop hiking refuge in Waynesville is our favorite property in North Carolina.

Spend the next couple days hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dining on gourmet cuisine and relishing the calm and quiet in an Adirondack chair on the scenic lookout point of Gooseberry Knob.

The convivial house-party atmosphere of The Swag, the charming owners and the outstanding attention to detail make this an idyllic retreat. You will have no desire to leave the property.

Depart The Swag and drive two hours south to Highlands, a sleepy hamlet close to where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia converge. Check into the elegant Old Edwards Inn and Spa, which spans three blocks in a series of varying structures that have been designed to blend in with the elegant European style of the town. I recommend reserving a Spa Suite. Be sure to also arrange for a spa treatment in advance, as they tend to book up quickly.

Wander the picturesque mountain town of Highlands, which is filled with quaint shops, antiques stores and art galleries.

Outdoor activities include easy hikes to stunning waterfalls within the Nantahala National Forest, fly-fishing and golf at private courses in the area.

Madison’s at Old Edwards offers a delicious menu, but the adjacent Ristorante Paoletti, which serves gourmet Italian cuisine, should not be missed.

The drive back to Charlotte from Highlands is a three-and-a-half-hour journey, but the road is so beautiful that it goes quickly. I recommend eating lunch at Old Edwards’ alfresco Wine Garden, with its trickling fountain, koi pond and light fare, before you get on the road.

You could either take an evening flight out of Charlotte or spend a night in town to unwind after the drive. If you choose to stay in the city, The Duke Mansion is the best option I have found so far. Nestled in the prestigious Myers Park neighborhood, the two-storied Colonial Revival mansion houses 20 rooms. The hotel lacks a spa and restaurant.

Drive to the airport, return your rental car and head home feeling invigorated by the fresh mountain air and High Country cuisine.