Luxury holidays in Smoky Mountains

When to go

The Smoky Mountains is a fantastic year-round destination – balmy outdoorsy summers are perfect for outdoor activity, but rugging up warm for bracing hiking/fishing/riding/snowball fighting, and returning for a hot toddy in front of an open fire make this a fabulous mid-winter spot. If you’re ideal trip involves at least some laying-by-the-pool-soaking-up-the-rays, anytime from late April to early October will be perfect for you.

Getting there

• Planes

  The Smokies are easier to get to than you might think. Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport ¬– 20 minutes’ drive from the mountains– plays host to regular direct flights from Chicago | New York | Denver | Dallas | Washington and other state hubs.

• Trains

  The railways running through the mountains exist for novelty and nostalgia rather than getting around.

• Automobiles

  As with most rural pockets of America, a car (or, more dramatically, a motorbike) is by far the best way of getting around. You can hire one at the airport.

• Taxis

  It’s seriously rural round these parts, so flagging down a cab ain’t an option. The husband and wife team behind Smoky Mountain Taxi (+1 865 659 0151) cover the area around Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.