By Camilo Alfaro

Summer is here, and the weather is sweet. There is nothing better than taking a day or two off, gathering up the family or planning a solo trip, packing up the car and heading out to discover something new. This week, our destination is Asheville, NC, and we are going off-roading at the Land Rover Experience Driving School at Biltmore Estate.

You can get to the school two ways: the first is driving and the next is flying. However, as you know, the only way to do it right is to drive. What other way can we see our beautiful country and enjoy the lush and green landscape?, Yes, the excitement and grandeur of the open road.

The Biltmore Inn is located in the stunning Smokey Mountains. The luxurious hotel itself is just gorgeous and kind of reminded me of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. It is located on the 8000-acre meticulously landscaped property and historic home of George W. Vanderbilt called the Biltmore House, which is also the largest privately owned home in the U.S.

Vanderbilt had more money than…well let’s just say that he was rolling in cash, and he set out to build the most impressive house of its time in the late 1800s. Still to this date, the house with today’s comforts such as heat, hot water and electricity are so impressive that words cannot describe. Priceless works of arts and furniture habit the mansion. It is so impressive that the entire property is designed to be self sustained, similar to a compound of sorts, so it doesn’t have to depend on anything other than what is grown on the property; even the cattle is certified angus beef. Thirsty? It has its own vineyard! I had the opportunity to tour the house, and its cultural things like this that make me realize getting away for the weekend every once in a while is what life is all about.

Located on the property is the Biltmore Inn; this luxury hotel rocks and provides guests with every amenity they desire. One onsite activity is the Land Rover Experience, which teaches the fundamentals of Treading Lightly while off-roading. Treading Lightly is the most basic and important factor in taking your 4x4 off-road and basically consist of taking it easy and driving very slow so that you are always in control of the vehicle. Land Rover driving instructor, Josh Wilson, guides me while I take the Range Rover through a specially designed course through the properties most demanding trails.

As we all know, the Range is all business when it comes to off-road and makes the most difficult task look easy. Powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 delivering 305 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, the Range is not short of power. The Terrain Response system allows the driver to pick a four-wheel drive setting that is the best match for the terrain you are currently in or about to cross, but you shouldn’t expect anything less from a $77,250 off-road vehicle. The great thing about the Range is that it is as tough as Barry Bonds but yet civil and classy enough to impress a queen. Nevertheless, you don’t necessarily have to take the Range; the school offers the entire Land Rover model range including one of my favorite vehicles, the new LR2.

Interesting enough, most of the people that participate in the driving school actually do not own a Land Rover. However, after driving one and seeing first hand the amazing off-road capabilities of the car, they are set to buy one! The programs start at $200 and include the vehicle. Complete driving and hotel packages are also available.

Taking off to the Biltmore and participating in the Land Rover Experience was one of the funniest things I have done this summer. There is nothing like getting out on the open road, smelling the fresh air, learning new things about our wonderful country, witnessing culture and seeing first hand the beauty that it has to offer. Most importantly, learning how to be a better off-road driver.