Dreaming Of A Georgia Christmas

A dozen glimmering roadside scenes can be found this month in Pine Mountain, Ga., at the Callaway Gardens.

The 14,000-acre resort, known for its nature trails and world-class golf course, has turned its summer garden spaces and forest area into a winter wonderland.

Now in its ninth year, the Fantasy in Lights is a celebration of illumination and Christmas spirit. There are 8 million lights in all, enough for 26,000 Christmas trees.

Visitors can ride a trolley through the Enchanted Rainbow Forest, five miles of custom-designed holiday lighting displays. They can even watch iridescent "flowers" bloom in the dark December evening.

Inside the holiday village, carolers, craftspeople and costumed characters entertain. And even though it is not the North Pole, Santa Claus is on hand to make a list of holiday wishes.

St. Nicholas can also be found on the grounds at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, where "70 Years of Santa," is on display. The exhibit is a retrospective of the Coca-Cola Co.'s use of Mr. Claus in its past advertising campaigns.

At the Callaway Gardens, Southern hospitality comes with a dose of holiday cheer.