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Hearing the exclamations of delight from young and old alike as they ride through the country-side as Christmas scenes come to life with sparking lights, holiday music and animation. Toy soliders line the roadway, a giant poinsettia archway goes across the pathway and the 12 days of Christmas come to life before your eyes. Visitors join with the others on the Holly Jolly Trolley to sing classic Christmas carols as they take in the sparking lights and Christmas scenes.

Watching a 4-year-old hug Frosty the Snowman and dance with him at the Christmas Village before he heads over to visit with Father Christmas and tell him what he wants for Christmas. With a smile, the little one tells Santa he wants “some presents” for Christmas.
Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga., offers something every season but Christmas is especially magical with Fantasy in Lights, which is featured through Dec. 30. More than eight million sparkling lights and more than one dozen holiday scenes make up the spectacular Fantasy in Lights.

Fantasy in Lights offers the opportunity to drive through in your own vehicle or ride on the trolley. The trolley is a great option because you hear the narration with details on the scenes, as well as Christmas carols. You also get an up-close and personal look at the scenes. Blankets are located on the trolley for those colder evenings. [Full Story »] 

A 27,000 square foot log cabin that was home to Barbara Mandrell and her family for more than a decade that is now owned by two renowned Nashville music producers….The former home of country legend Conway Twitty that sits in the midst of a faith-based television network…The sprawling complex owned by Loretta Lynn that includes her former and current home, as well as museums and a camp ground.

These are three unique attractions in Middle Tennessee that are open for tours, allowing country music fans to get an up close and personal glimpse into the lives of three legendary country stars.

Fontanel Mansion, home of country music star Barbara Mandrell from 1988 to 2002, is now owned by two Nashville managers (Dale Morris and Marc Oswald). It has also been featured in the television series, “Gone Country,” as the home-base for the contestants. [Full Story »] 

Traveling through Middle Tennessee visitors will find Civil War sites and other historic stops, charming small Southern towns and other off-the-beaten track stops that are well worth a visit.

Clarkesville is Tennessee’s oldest incorporated city with architecture from the 1850s throughout the downtown area. The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is a great place to start your visit to the town. You will find history and artifacts of the area of the town, as well as this area of Tennessee. Art, science and more are found in this former United States Post Office and Customs House building. [Full Story »] 

The “Promised Land Trail” is a new effort launched by the Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways effort to guide visitors through small towns and big cities in Northeast Tennessee to discover hidden jewels and famous attractions.

The ninth of 16 self-guided driving tours in the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways program, the Promised Land Trail covers 514 miles throughout Middle Tennessee. The trail passes through Cumberland, Davidson, Dekalb, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, White and Wilson counties. The areas featured on the trail have easy access from I-40 or Hwy. 70.

The scenic trail highlights the historic sites, home and museums that bring to life the stories of many early settlers as they searched for the “promised land.” The trail officially begins at the Nashville Visitor Center where guests can pick up brochures, maps and coupons to help plan their stops along the trail. Visitors also have the option to begin their journey at any site along the path. Along the trail, visitors will find antique shops and unique boutiques, historic sites, Southern cooking and plenty of music and entertainment as they get on the back roads and see authentic Tennessee. [Full Story »] 

Wandering through the winding paths in the wooded country-side to check out the exotic and wonderful animals at the zoo…Crawling through a cavern display at the aquarium to get an up close and personal look at the amazing fish…Leaning back in a comfortable chair and looking up at the stars and constellations at the planetarium.

Albany, Ga., is a wonderful destination for a family vacation. There is so much to do that will delight children and adults alike. On a recent three-day visit, we enjoyed exploring the Southwest Georgia town.

The drive to Albany from North Georgia is scenic, passing through cattle farms and fields of cotton and charming small Southern towns. There are lots of fun places to stop on your way, including Perry, home of the state fair each fall; Plains, where you can check our former president Jimmy Carter’s hometown and even hear him teach Sunday School; Macon, where there is a great museum of arts and sciences; and lots of road-side stands with fresh fruit and vegetables offered. [Full Story »] 

“Rain,” the first show of the Gas South Broadway Series, will be presented Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The tribute to the Beatles is coming direct from a successful Broadway engagement.

“Rain” includes the full range of The Beatles discography live on stage, including the some of the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles recorded in the studio but never performed before an audience. The cast of “Rain” has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance in this multi-media concert.

For the early hits to the later classics, the selections performed include “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together” and “Hey Jude.”

Performances will be at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Tickets range from $25 to $63, plus service charge, and are available at the Centre’s Bank of North Georgia box office, online at www.gassouthbroadwayseries.com, all Ticketmaster outlet locations, ticketmaster.com or via phone at 800-745-3000. Group discounts for 15 or more are available by calling 770-916-2855.

The venue is located at 2800 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.

Hot Springs, Ark., is known for the mineral waters that come out of the ground at 143 degrees, the only place in the United States where water like this is found. Visitors come from around the world to “take the waters” in Hot Springs, which is known as the “valley of the vapors.” The soothing hot water first brought visitors to the area as early as the 1820s, and the area continues to be popular for people who want to soak in the mineral water.

People came to Hot Springs in those early days to bathe away their ailments and to relax. By 1837, Hot Springs had 24 hotels with six bath houses. In 1920s, it was the “golden age of bathing” with visitors staying one week or longer to take in the waters. Visitors in those early days, as well as current tourists, found bathing in the hot springs to be both relaxing and comforting. [Full Story »] 

Spas, shopping and wonderful restaurants are found in Dunwoody, just a short one-hour drive from North Georgia, making it a perfect destination for a girlfriend get-away.

Our adventures during a recent three-day weekend included an afternoon at Spa Sydell getting pampered, an evening painting at Canvas by U and lots of shopping and dining.

We had so much fun at Canvas By U, where a group of mostly women all created a painting in only three hours. The subject was a geisha girl and it was so interesting to see how everyone’s paintings turned out differently. Some were neat and orderly, while others had swishes and swirls on the canvas.

“Your personalities come out through your painting,” our instructor, Beverly, said as she walked around checking out our work. “We are all going to come out with a different painting at the end of the night. [Full Story »] 

Four Atlanta actors will take audiences on a journey with a joyous and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a mom in the new musical, “Motherhood the Musical,” on stage through November 20 at the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta.

The show is produced by GFour Productions, the team who has successfully brought “Menopause The Musical” to every major market in the United States. “Menopause The Musical” is the longest running musical in Atlanta history and grossed close to $6 million dollars during the show’s three-year run.

“Motherhood the Musical” is the joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a mom. It’s climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. It’s discovering how powerful your love can be and how quickly your children grow up. It’s helping them find their way and not losing yours. It’s about laughing and crying, craziness and calm, smiles and tears...and all before breakfast. This hysterical and poignant four woman musical is a must see for anyone who is, has, or knows a mom. It will remind you that it’s not just about Motherhood ... it’s about you. [Full Story »]