Luxury holidays in Smoky Mountains

Spectacularly beautiful, riddled with waterfalls and populated with mighty pines, the Smokies are the Deep South’s own homegrown pastoral paradise. Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains are consistently America’s most visited national park, and with views like these, it’s not hard to understand why. In addition to the lush flora, diverse fauna and the jaw-dropping spectacle of the scenery, you’ll find traces of Cherokee tradition (the infamous ‘Trail of Tears’ originates in nearby Chattanooga), as well as a rich tradition of open-armed hospitality, bluegrass music, and finger-lickin’ Southern cuisine.

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.