The Vanderbilt Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina; this is not a flattering view of the main building. The sun was setting and I wanted to view the well illuminated side.

Biltmore is like the Hearst castle: a gigantic look at how much money I have monument. Just like my visit to Hearst Biltmore did not impress. The entire structure is a massive ersatz French chateau imposed on the landscape. The most impressive feature: the massive castle walls it sits on. They really would have kept the torch wielding peasants at bay. Fortunately for the peasants U.S. estate laws are almost as larcenous as the original Vanderbilts. To keep Biltmore running their descendents have to truck bus loads of peons through the property to keep ahead of the property taxes.

The Vanderbilt Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina; this is not a flattering view of the main building. The sun was setting and I wanted to view the well illuminated side.

Biltmore is like the Hearst castle: a gigantic look at how much money I have monument. Just like my visit to Hearst Biltmore did not impress. The entire structure is a massive ersatz French chateau imposed on the landscape. The most impressive feature: the massive castle walls it sits on. They really would have kept the torch wielding peasants at bay. Fortunately for the peasants U.S. estate laws are almost as larcenous as the original Vanderbilts. To keep Biltmore running their descendents have to truck bus loads of peons through the property to keep ahead of the property taxes.