Travelling South Get the Blue Ridge Card and save on North Carolina’s top attractions The Montrealer September 21, 2007 6125 Discover North Carolina’s breathtaking mountain region with the new Go Blue Ridge Card, an all-inclusive ticket to the Blue Ridge’s top attractions. For those taking I-75 and I-95, plan a few days through North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. The Go Blue Ridge card offers special savings to more than 25 top attractions, as well as shopping and dining. The FREE Blue Ridge Guidebook is a well-thought out 16-page resource. The full-colour guidebook contains area maps, sample itineraries for kids, history buffs and art & culture and suggestions of things to do depending on the weather conditions. It has a history of Blue Ridge, glossary and interesting facts, attraction descriptions and important phone numbers. The Go Card and Guidebook comes with recommended daily itineraries as a starting point for the visit, but with the all-inclusive card, travelers have the flexibility to customize their own trip. Two ‘must-see’ sights along the way are: Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range. Grandfather Mountain is a globally significant nature preserve. Cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge and thrill to 360-degree views of the surrounding region. Biltmore Estate is Vanderbilt¹s 8,000-acre estate featuring the 250-room Biltmore house and acres of gardens; stroll America¹s largest home and its breathtaking surroundings. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s rich history stretches almost 500 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. More than half of ³America¹s most scenic drive², 252 miles, runs through North Carolina, and it¹s toll-free! The mountain region features forests, wildlife and wildflowers thousands of feet above a patchwork of villages, fields and farms. Capture the vibrant fall colours and explore some of the oldest settlements of Native American Culture and early European homesteads. The two-day card costs US$79/adult, and average savings of US$24 on attractions alone; three and five days cards also available. For information and to purchase the Go Blue Ridge online, visit www.goblueridgecard.com. For travel information to North Carolina, visit www.visitnc.com.