Mount Dora, Florida is one of those towns that rewards repeat visits. In this episode of The Gallivanter Podcast, I’m sharing how we do Mount Dora, ten places we return to again and again, and why they’ve earned that spot for us.

This isn’t a definitive travel guide or a rushed one-day itinerary. It’s a personal, experience-driven look at the businesses and spots that consistently make a Mount Dora visit better, whether you’re visiting for the first time or coming back for another weekend.

Along the way, we talk about Belgian-style pomme frites at The Salted Fry, antique hunting at Renninger’s, the Modernism Museum’s connection to David Bowie and the Memphis design movement, curated vintage finds, tea stops that make wandering easier, outdoor outfitters that support the lakes and trails around town, relaxed pizza with indoor and outdoor seating, and handcrafted chocolate truffles you can sometimes watch being made.

If you’re planning a Mount Dora weekend, looking for a thoughtful Central Florida day trip, or just want a deeper understanding of why this town keeps pulling people back, this episode is designed to help you enjoy Mount Dora with more intention and less guesswork.

🌎 Keep Gallivanting With Me
If you liked this story, you’ll love what’s waiting on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ChadGallivanter
See more photos, behind-the-scenes, and upcoming trips on Instagram: instagram.com/ChadGallivanter
More travel stories, history deep-dives, and extras live at: ChadGallivanter.com

📬 Questions, ideas, or media requests? Email me at info@ChadGallivanter.com

Step inside Cracker Christmas at Fort Christmas, the annual two day pioneer celebration that transforms a quiet corner of eastern Orange County into one of the most distinctive holiday events in Florida.

This episode takes you beyond the craft tents and demonstrations and into the story behind the event itself, tracing how a reconstructed Second Seminole War fort became the gathering place for a community that protects and teaches its history one demonstration at a time.

We explore where the event began in the late 1970s, why it has grown into the Fort Christmas Historical Society’s largest celebration, and how local clubs like the 4 H, FFA, the Women’s Club, and the Boy Scouts depend on it for essential fundraising.

Along the way, the episode examines the origins of the term “Florida Cracker,” the pioneer skills still demonstrated today, and the surprising traditions of Christmas, Florida, including the annual rush to the post office for that famous seasonal postmark.

Whether you missed this year’s Cracker Christmas or are discovering it for the first time, this deep dive reveals why the event resonates far beyond the festival weekend and why Fort Christmas remains a powerful monument to Florida’s early frontier story. If you enjoy thoughtful travel storytelling with strong historical context, this episode is for you.

🌎 Keep Gallivanting With Me
If you liked this story, you’ll love what’s waiting on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ChadGallivanter
See more photos, behind-the-scenes, and upcoming trips on Instagram: instagram.com/ChadGallivanter
More travel stories, history deep-dives, and extras live at: ChadGallivanter.com

📬 Questions, ideas, or media requests? Email me at info@ChadGallivanter.com

For most visitors, Nights of Lights in St. Augustine is a holiday spectacle, a glowing postcard brought to life. But the real story began long before electric bulbs lined the rooftops. This episode traces the deeper history of how St. Augustine marked the holidays across four and a half centuries, from Spanish colonial celebrations to the quieter rituals that carried into the American era.

Nights of Lights is not the flashiest display, and it was never meant to be. Its power comes from something older, something rooted in the city’s long tradition of using light to mark the season. By the time the modern event emerged in the 1990s, the foundation had already been laid.

In this episode, we look at where those traditions came from, how they evolved, and why Nights of Lights became one of the most enduring holiday experiences in the country. And toward the end, a reflection on why this event creates such a strong pull, a sense that you’ve stepped into a different place and a different century, even if just for an evening.

If you enjoy this episode of The Gallivanter Podcast, make sure to follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. For more travel stories and detailed show notes, visit ChadGallivanter.com.

Wherever you go, take the story with you.

🌎 Keep Gallivanting With Me
If you liked this story, you’ll love what’s waiting on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ChadGallivanter
See more photos, behind-the-scenes, and upcoming trips on Instagram: instagram.com/ChadGallivanter
More travel stories, history deep-dives, and extras live at: ChadGallivanter.com

📬 Questions, ideas, or media requests? Email me at info@ChadGallivanter.com