10 American cities that will make you think that you are in Europe
Visit Spain, Germany, the Amalfi coast, and even more - without leaving the country.
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Secular architecture, countless unique countries, kitchens that are rooted in generations - there is nothing like Europe. But for many people, the cost and travel time commitments to another continent are prohibitive. Fortunately, it's easier than you thinkEuropean culture Here, in the United States, of a city installed by Dutch immigrants in the mid-1800s to a contemporary Florida development which recalls Santorini. We have consulted travel experts to discover the 10 best of these places. Read the rest to find out how you can ski as if you were in the Swiss Alps ordrink beer As if you were in Bavaria, all without having your passport buffer.
Read this then:10 small towns in the United States that want to go back in time.
1 Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
![The historic Bretton Woods resort at the base of snowy Mount Washington in New Hampshire.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/888/888893e559a92615f680f3e6d310ba0595d70baf_1200_798_920420.jpeg)
The Swiss Alps are a destination for the list of buckets for many skiers, but if going to Switzerland is not in the cards, a trip to the New Hampshire could do the trick. At the base of the 6,288-foot Mount Washington (the highest peak in the northeast) is theOmni Mount Washington Resort.
"[It is] surrounded by nearly 800,000 acres in the national forest of White Mountain and shelters Bretton Woods, the largest ski area in New Hampshire, with 464 acres of ski and snowboarding on 63 trails and 35 glades and offering d 'Innumerable activities of the whole season, including Mountain Venage by bicycle, on horseback and in sled, interior and outdoor climbing, fly fishing, disc to disc, picturesque gondola walks, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, field parks, And even more ", according to a hotel spokesperson.
The stationdates back to 1902 and is entirely made of wood. It underwent a renovation of $ 1.2 million in 2007, but its historic aesthetic of the ski chalet was carefully preserved.
2 Holland, Michigan
![tulips line paths at Windmill Island Villiage in Holland Michigan](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/b93/b9312edbc0450e9607e08bebdf48cc6a3eae9384_1200_800_1531844.jpeg)
Nothing says the Netherlands more than tulips and windmills, and you will find both in abundance in the aptly named city of Holland, Michigan. Located halfway between Chicago and Detroit, Holland was installed by Dutch immigrants in the middle of the 19th century.
"With food like Dutch apple pieWinterfest Dutch and theTulip Time Festival, the city, which is practically next to Lake Michigan, has priority to preserve Dutch culture, "saidJenny Ly, founder oftravel blog Come on Wandermen.
TheVeldheer Tulip gardens Since 1950 and, in the spring, have had about five million colorful tulips. Visitors can also checkGardens of the island of the windmill, which presents the only authentic Dutch windmill in the country, andDutch village in Nelis, a collection of 30 Dutch style buildings with gift shops, as well as "costume klompen dancers, street organs, carousel, [and] carillon Bells", according to the website.
Read this then:The 6 best destinations outside radar in the United States which must be on your list of buckets.
3 Frankenmuth, Michigan
![Bavarian-style architecture in Frankenmuth, Michigan.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/aec/aec97e0a88587ee43b0db4f19bcc2b4185e0ad06_1200_797_1369121.jpeg)
In addition to the Netherlands, you can also visit Germany in Michigan. Frankenmuth is known as the "Little Bavaria" of the State. According toThe official history of the city, it was founded in 1844 by the Bavarian mission of the Lutheran church in Germany. Through the Second World War, however, it has become more a tourist destination, which you can still visit today.
"You can walk in the shopping district and find stores and food stores belonging to buildings that seem to have come out of a story book. Frankenmuth also hostsBronner's Christmas Wonderland, who claims to be the largest Christmas store in the world, "according toNick Mueller,,Operations Director of Hawaiianislands.com.
Martin Betch, co-founder ofHi-van travel blog, note that many residents still speak German and organize traditional events such asOKTOBERFEST and theFrankenmuth Dog Bowl, the largest Olympic style festival in the world for dogs.
One of the biggest attractions is to get a famous chicken dinner to beZehnder's from Frankenmuth or theBavarian Inn. Betch recommends washing everything with a trip toFrankenmuth brasserie, which is the oldest craft brewery in the state.
4 Leavenworth, Washington
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For another Bavarian experience, head to Leavenworth from Washington. "Nestled in the cascade mountains, [he] looks like something straight out of the Alps," saidJessica Schmit, founder oftravel blog Uprooted traveler. "The entire city center of the city - think of everything, from its service station to Starbucks - is built in a Bavarian style, with many other Germanic influences, such as Gartens of sausage and Bierhalls, sprinkled everywhere. ""
Unlike Frankenmuth, however, Leavenworth has no real German heritage. "The city was actually rebuilt in the 1960s to look like something straight out of Bavaria to increase tourism, since Leavenworth has turned into a ghost town except when its logging operations and of sawmill have stopped, "explains Schmit. "Revitalization has been an exciting success and now millions of travelers flock here each year to take advantage of the annual celebrations focused on German, asOKTOBERFEST or hisChristmas market. ""
Kristine Lee, founder of the travel blogGlobal Travel Screens, say itLeavenworth Reindeer Farm is an attraction cannot be missed. She also lovesRestaurant Andreas Keller For authentic Bavarian dishes and imported beer. Do not be surprised if you see comrades dressed in lederhosen!
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5 Sausalito, California
![Sausalito near San Francisco in California, a view of the houses on a hill overlooking the ocean.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/302/302da971d71359cb3fffd1416f318540564444f1_1183_887_1015052.jpeg)
Just off the coast of San Francisco, the charming island of Sausalito will give you the impression of being left a yacht on the Amalfi coast. "Like the Côte d'Italie, the houses are hidden in the hills overlooking the ocean with many restaurants and hotels in town with the same incredible view", explains acity representative.
There are several restaurants serving traditional Italian dishes, such asDivino Osteria,,Poggio, andScoma, a Sicilian seafood restaurant located on a pier above the bay. Another restaurant / bar,Closed off, has an outdoor space where guests can play its homonymous game, a beloved tradition in Italy.
To further improve your amalfite coast experience,jump on a private yacht,,sail, or make a city visitunique floating houses.
6 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
![A streetscape in Carmel-by-the-Sea featuring a retail shop housed in a typical fairytale cottage - style architecture.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/c14/c149af87887e96fe5be93c3624fff94782c512db_1200_800_1165690.jpeg)
Located on the central coast of California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a village with a square one that is considered one of the most romantic places in the country, because its picturesque buildings resemble those of a village English sleepy. "Our visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the distinctive architectural aesthetics of our village - from its secret passages to its picturesque courses to its fanciful fairy -style houses", explainsAmy Herzog, executive director ofVisit Carmel.
The tourism agency explains that BuilderHugh comstock Arrived in Carmel in 1924 and began to design "fairy tale cottages" which ultimately became known as "comstocks". Today, 21 of them remain, and you can explore them more on aHistorical Walk.
For a truly English experience, visit the famousCandy chalet, a British-style candy shop (in the United Kingdom. It is "Sweets" not "Candy"!) Fear heaps of liquorice, homemade fudge, and much more since 1959. As described Visit Carmel, "Its architecture of roof and script tales" made from the Carmel-by-the-Sea square shop. And as there are no chain or fast food restaurants or national cafes here, you can be sure that the unique charm will last for years to come.
Read this then:The 10 best American cities to visit for lovers of history.
7 Solvang, California
![A view down the street of Solvang, California, which looks like a Dutch village with a windmill.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/11e/11e3bbd8dc31ed8d25fab75f78294f19223be26f_1200_800_1529613.jpeg)
Of all the cities on this list, Solvang could be the best known, but that is no less charming. InsideSanta Barbara wine region, Solvang won the nickname "the Danish capital of America", according toLauren Scott, founder oftravel blog Freedom and not fate.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
The small village was installed by Danish and Dutch immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, he still has a lot of "windmills and traditional half-passing buildings", saysJocelyn Xamis Wolters, a curator and co-founder oftravel site Wolters World. "Eat authentic Danish pastries outside as you are in Copenhagen, go up the Solvang cart drawn on horseback or browse beautiful boutiques and antiqued shops."
Scott suggests visiting theHans Christian Andersen Museum andOstrichland To see the ostriches and the emeus. And every September, there is the Danish Days festival where participants can participate in a SïbleKiver eater competition.
8 Alys Beach, Florida
![A rooftop view of the white buildings and palm trees in Alys Beach, Florida.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/5e2/5e2e918e61c4c230c322523d88b05f4c7422803c_1200_798_811262.jpeg)
Alys Beach is a seaside community along the Florida Panhandle which was developed in the early 2000s. Although it is quite new, it is easy to confuse the striking white buildings which take place against Crystal Blue Waters for Santorini. "The construction of white stucco culminates in flat roofs of various elevations, accentuated with verandas and garnished with pergolas, courtyal doors and shutters in a slightly more Mediterranean palette", explainsDiana Lane, director of public relations forALYS beach.
Alys Beach is mainly composed of condos and houses in the row to buy, but there are also manyHoliday properties. If you visit, be sure to spend timeCaliza swimming pool, a salt water pool at zero entrance and surrounded by three smaller pools and a restaurant and an outdoor bar. You can also access the private beach. All this will certainly give you the impression of being on a luxurious Greek getaway.
Read this then:10 secret places in the United States to see the fall foliage.
9 Saint Petersburg, Florida
![The bubblegum pink Don Cesar Hotel on the beach in St. Petersburg, Florida.](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/1e1/1e110908d8059069a45a3947b888272f41dbc0ce_1200_675_1137860.jpeg)
Head further south on the Gulf of Mexico to Saint Petersburg, Florida, and be transported to Barcelona. The Spanish settlers arrived for the first time in the city in the 1500s, but a large part of this was modernized and influenced by other cultures. However, in the 1920s, a local developer namedPerry Snell "Placed his personal stamp on the city by buildingMediterranean Renaissance houses and public spaces that include stucco walls, lush gardens and red checkered roofs, "according to an article ofArchitectural summary. Other architects and developers have been influenced by Snell, which helped the Spanish style to proliferate throughout Saint-Pete.
One of the best known examples of this aesthetic is theDon Cesar Hotel. Built in 1928, the station became known as "The Pink Palace", hosting tastesClarence Darrow andF. Scott Fitzgerald. Today, customers can enjoy a private beach and two heated swimming pools.
TheVinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is another pink mediterranean recovery style hotel, this one located on Tampa Bay. Here you can sip cocktails by the pool or on the historic veranda, according to a hotel spokesperson, and you can also visit "the Waterfront Seafood restaurant,Paul Landage, which transports customers to an escape by the sea in Barcelona. ""
Complete your trip to the Spanish theme with a visit toDalí museum, where you will discover life and see works of art bySalvador Dali.
10 New Orleans, Louisiana
![New Orleans Louisiana](https://xfs-n00.mpcdn.org/thumb/arup/e02/e0255e00468642a796215c2aef83fc2637f7536f_1200_800_270928.jpeg)
New Orleans has roots in Spanish and French culture, but it is the latter in which you can really feel transported. "French influence can be felt throughout the French district with exterior cafes and bistros", explainsChristopher Falvey, the co-founder ofNola unique towers (He adds that this area is "not all a drunk party!").
The famous French market was actuallyFounded by Spanish settlers, but in a later incarnation, it was saved by the French Market Business Men's Association and turned into an outdoor and vegetable market. Today you can find all kinds of food and gifts here, but a large part of the mind looks like a Parisian market.
"There are several French and pastries cafes that will also give you a little taste of France," notesJackie Carbo, atravel advisor and founder of good trip Jackie. She recommendsThe bakery For croissants,Suction for macrons, andDegas coffee For French bistro meals. And, as any good tourist knows, stopCoffee of the world For their famous donuts.
And we cannot forget the most famous event in the city. "Mardi Gras itself has roots in French Catholic culture, but beyond religious tradition, the themes of many parades return to ancient European cultures", explains Falvey.
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