Most summers we see a surge in international travel as Americans flock to European cities like Paris, Venice, and London. While Europe is gradually opening up to tourism after months of lock down in response to the coronavirus, many restrictions are still in place, especially for international travelers.
There are still plenty of ways to travel without the worry of going out of the United States. Instead of traveling Europe try some of these amazing destinations right here in the States.
In other words, normal overseas travel is still a little way off. However, you may still get that European feel right here at home. Many destinations and cities within the US feel European, with charming architecture, rich culture, enticing dining, and atmospheric streets to wander. And I have been to most of these. They are worth seeing.
1. If you can't go to Tuscany, Italy ... try Napa Valley, California
Rolling acres of vineyards, charming rural towns, and tasting rooms pouring hearty red wines are among the many reasons you might want to visit Tuscany. They're also found in droves in the beautiful Napa Valley. Like its Italian counterpart, Napa is best known for its wineries and you'll find some 500 of them here, often built in a style reminiscent of those in the Italian countryside.
Not only can you drink like an Italian in Napa Valley, but you can also eat like one, too. Bottega Napa Valley in Yountsville serves micro-regional Italian cuisine, with dishes drawn from every region of the country in a rustic setting complete with Venetian-plaster walls and Murano glass chandeliers..
2. If you can't go to Spain ... try St. Augustine, Florida.
Tucked on the northeast coast of Florida is America's oldest city, founded by the Spanish in 1565. You can feel St. Augustine's 450-year-old Spanish heritage as you stroll through the narrow stone and brick-paved streets of the historic downtown district. There are 144 blocks that are all chock-full of Spanish colonial-style buildings, some dating back several centuries, and now house boutiques, antique shops, galleries, and atmospheric sidewalk cafes.
The city is also home to several magnificent 19th-century Spanish Renaissance Revival buildings that resemble Spanish palaces, including Lightner Museum, whose design was inspired by the Royal Alcázar of Seville.
And don't miss climbing around the ancient stone walls of Castillo de San Marcos, a massive fortress built by the Spanish in 1672 to protect against pirate raids. My favorite part of St. Augustine is the Fountain of Youth. Plus they have a great Flea market on Saturdays and Sundays!
3. If you can't go to England ... try Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston was founded by British settlers in 1630, so it's no surprise that many pockets of this city still recall its English heritage.
Today, the city is still brimming with history, and you can easily trace footsteps from the past, while still feeling worlds away. Wander through the picturesque Beacon Hill, whose warren of cobblestone streets, lined with brick sidewalks, gas lanterns, and classic Georgian-style row houses, will surely transport you to the other side of the pond.
At the foot of Beacon Hill you'll find Boston's two most famous parks, which take their cues from English gardens. The Boston Public Garden is pure Victorian, with manicured gardens, duck-filled ponds, and statuary. Similar to London's Hyde Park, the Boston Common is mostly natural and wild, with plenty of open green space.
4. If you can't go to Switzerland ... try Vail, Colorado.
For a taste of the Swiss Alps, Colorado's Rocky Mountains offer plenty of gorgeous alpine scenery, plus world-class skiing and hiking opportunities.
Vail is among the loveliest of the Rockies' resort towns, surrounded by snowy peaks and brimming with Swiss chalet-style architecture. It all looks very authentic, but in fact, Vail was built in the 1960s and modeled after the Swiss ski town of Zermatt.
Vail Village is filled with art galleries and smart boutiques, selling everything from practical mountain gear to pricey jewelry, including luxury Swiss-brand watches. And yes, there's fondue: try authentic versions at the Swiss Chalet restaurant, serving cheese and chocolate varieties, or the signature Schlitten-Fondue at the cozy, wood-paneled Almresi.
5. If you can't go to Germany ... try Fredericksburg, Texas.
You might not expect to find a bit of Germany deep in Texas Hill Country, but Fredericksburg is about as close as it gets. Settled by German immigrants in 1846, signs in Main Street storefronts greet visitors with "Wilkommen" (welcome), while restaurants like Der Lindenbaum, Friedhelm's Bavarian Inn, and Old German Bakery and Restaurant serve traditional schnitzel, potato pancakes, and bratwurst.
Of course, it wouldn't feel like Germany without beer, and Fredericksburg is home to two breweries, Altstadt Brewery and Fredericksburg Brewing Company. Both brew according to German Purity Standards, and have spacious beer gardens to enjoy a cold one.
An annual Oktoberfest, celebrated in the town's central Marktplatz (market square), features oompah music, waltzing, and a dirndl and lederhosen costume contest, plus beer, pretzels, brats, and more.
6. If you can't go to France ... try New Orleans, Louisiana
It's been more than three centuries since the French founded New Orleans, but you can still feel its influence on the city's culture, cuisine, and architecture.
Naturally, it's felt the strongest in the French Quarter, whose vibrant streets are lined with elegant French colonial-style townhouses and candy-colored buildings decked out with cast-iron balconies. Stop by the European-style, open-air French Market, packed with fresh produce, gourmet foodstuffs, and local arts and crafts.
Food-wise, there's no shortage of restaurants and cafes serving French-inspired cuisine. Try the divine beignets and café au lait at the famed Café du Monde, or authentic French fare at Galatoire's and Antoine's.
While New Orleans's Mardi Gras is legendary, in July, the city celebrates Bastille Day, France's national holiday, with native costumes, specialty food and drink, and live music and fireworks.
7. If you can't go to Venice, Italy ... try Venice, California.
With its romantic canals and arched footbridges, California's Venice Canal district is a transportive slice of Italy. Built in 1905 as both a tourist destination and seaside community, it was modeled after the real Venice, with a network of man made canals stocked with gondolas and gondoliers imported from Italy.
Today, only a handful of canals remain - and kayaks and rowboats have replaced the gondolas - but it's still a lovely little European-style escape just off bustling Venice Beach, which is a destination in its own right filled with artists, street performers, and impeccable people watching that's wholly American.
Sunny SoCal weather is usually on offer year-round, but a great time to visit is in December when twinkling holiday lights decorate the bridges and canal-side walkways.
Comentários