Stepping off the restored 1920s train at the Vintage Railroad, the welcoming glow of what seems like a thousand twinkling lights warms my soul.

It is a balmy 26 degrees, but there’s a palpably jolly atmosphere, with folk smiling and gentlemen doffing their hats in friendly greeting of ‘happy holidays’ as Christmas tunes tinkle in the air.

The buildings, streets, and shop fronts are in immaculate condition, a far cry from the dirty hustle and bustle of London’s Oxford Street this time of year.

It’s like I have been transported to Hollywood and onto the set of a Hallmark movie. Any second now, a director is going to step forward to say, ‘Please could you move out of the shot?’

Where I’ve just arrived is not a movie set, but the small Texan city of Grapevine . Population: just over 50

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