The Magic of the Holiday Season

I’ve always had a deep connection with Christmas… all year long, I look forward to December, and as soon as Thanksgiving arrives, I start decking out my world in holiday cheer. For this reason, I take a trip every December to fully immerse myself in the joy of the season.

Christmas doesn’t just evoke a connection to faith, whatever it may be—it also takes us back to our childhood and the joy of sharing time with family. For several years, I’ve organized group trips for Christmas lovers, visiting charming towns and beautiful places across the country. It’s not only for the decorations filled with lights and colors, but also about the architectural beauty and the delightful food.

We fly from Miami to Atlanta, rent a van, and drive three and a half hours to Nashville, Tennessee. There, we start enjoying a lively city with great nightlife and venues beautifully decorated for the season. Be sure to visit the famous Broadway Street and enter a honky-tonk, a classic bar with dancing and live music.

Then, we continue our journey with a four-hour drive to Gatlinburg, also in Tennessee—a beautiful town known for its vibrant holiday lights, adorned streets, diverse shops, and fantastic spots to enjoy homemade cookies, apple butter, wildflower honey, mouthwatering Memphis ribs, or even an amazing whiskey tasting.

In Gatlinburg, I recommend taking the Anakeesta cable car up the mountain for the best views of the entire town. There, you can relax around a mountaintop fire pit, enjoy a hot chocolate, or dine in cozy restaurants.

We continue driving for three hours to Helen, an incredible town in Georgia designed to replicate an Alpine Bavarian village. Helen is famous for its German-inspired Christmas parade, its main street completely decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and flowers, its renowned Christmas market, and much more…

Our journey continues with a two-hour drive to Asheville, North Carolina, where we enjoy a bohemian city filled with charming bars offering the best beer tastings and a variety of delicious restaurants. For a grand finale, we visit the historic Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913. From here, we take in the city’s best view and a stunning display of gingerbread nativity scenes, with awards presented each year to the best artists.

Remember to pack your winter clothes to fully enjoy each of these magical places. Also, always check the weather forecast, as you might be lucky enough to experience a beautiful snowfall.

Without a doubt, traveling is living, and traveling during Christmas is living with joy and wonder. Remember, travel is never an expense; it’s an investment!

Join me on @apbmystictravels
Safe Travels!
Alejandro Pérez Bolaños
CEO, APB Mystic Travels