Europe has always been at the top of my travel bucket list. But as a mom of three young children, the idea of taking a trans-Atlantic flight overwhelms me.
Fortunately, I’ve learned I don’t always have to cross the ocean to experience. There are many places much closer to home that feel much like it, whether through a thriving expat community, stunning architecture, rich history, or authentic food.
Across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean are many cities that look plucked from overseas. So, if you are like me and are dreaming of a European getaway without the long-haul flight, here are seven bucket-list-worthy destinations to consider.
In this article
Willemstad, Curaçao
Curaçao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, making it part of the Dutch Caribbean. Visiting here blends Caribbean charm with a rich European culture.
Willemstad, Curaçao's capital, is home to more than 700 preserved buildings and monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries. The city itself dates back to 1634, when the Dutch West India Company captured the island from Spain, and it quickly grew into a Dutch trading hub.
Today, wandering the streets of Willemstad will make you feel like you are exploring the Netherlands, with colorful Dutch-style buildings and traditional brown cafes, or pubs, lining the street.
Plan a visit to Handelskade, the popular waterfront area, where you can see the historic architecture, remarkable gables, and colorful buildings that will make you feel as if you’ve flown farther than just to the Caribbean.
I also recommend adding Fort Amsterdam and the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the Americas, to your itinerary to immerse yourself in local history.
Also, make sure to brush up on your Dutch because even though you are in the Caribbean, Dutch is the official language on Curaçao. Don’t worry, English is also widely spoken, as is Papiamentu, a Creole blend of Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, and African languages.
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Mont-Tremblant in Quebec will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a French Alpine ski resort.
This unique destination mirrors a European escape into the Alps no matter where you are in town thanks to its majestic peaks, European architecture, and French signage and words spoken throughout.
Here, you can wander cobblestone sidewalks lined with trees, past colorful facades, and explore scenic squares. The Tremblant Pedestrian Village is closed to vehicles, creating a pedestrian-friendly setting with sidewalk cafes and shops with beautifully decorated window displays, as the smell of delicious baked goods wafts from bakeries and bistros around every corner.
Of course, the Tremblant Ski Resort is a must-visit, but you can also capture the beauty of the area without skiing by taking a gondola ride over Lake Tremblant, spending time outdoors on a hike, or even just by unwinding in a river setting in a sauna or cold plunge at the Scandinave Spa.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
Entering Lunenburg feels a bit like exploring an old European fishing village. This charming town in Nova Scotia was designed in a geometric grid in the 18th century, and German, French, and Swiss Protestants were then sent to the area to secure it for the British Government.
Today, as you walk around, you can admire brightly colored buildings standing close together along the harbor, creating the vibe of a historic European community.
I recommend you explore Lunenburg on foot, taking one of the many local walking tours where you can admire the architecture, learn more about the history, and browse local shops and restaurants.
The Lunenburg Waterfront is also a popular place to capture gorgeous water views, or head to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn more about the area’s fishing heritage.
For a refreshing drink, stop by the popular Lightship Brewery, then settle in for the night at places like Rum Runner Inn or the Ashlea House for harbor views, friendly service, and plenty of history.
Xochimilco, Mexico
If you are like me and have dreamed of taking a romantic ride on Venice’s canals, you don’t need to travel all the way to Italy. Xochimilco, a large borough in Mexico City, is also home to an extensive network of historic waterways, some stretching over 100 miles.
Dating back to the pre-Aztec and Aztec civilizations, these waterways were built along chinampas, artificial islands made of mud and reeds. Today, this unique destination, nicknamed Mexico’s “Little Venice,” offers a glimpse into Mexico’s past and has even earned Xochimilco UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
During your visit to Xochimilco, you can float along the water in trajineras, flat-bottomed wooden boats typically painted bright colors. You’ll likely see floating vendors selling everything from tacos to souvenirs, and may even want to dance along to mariachi bands playing from nearby boats or the shore, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Experiencing Xochimilco’s historic waterways is simple. Head to one of the city’s main piers, where you can rent a trajinera, typically by the hour, and a boatman will guide you through the canals. The waterways are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon and on weekends. Bring cash in small denominations to pay for the ride, and consider packing food and drinks if you plan to spend several hours on the water.
Mérida, Mexico
When you visit Mérida, you might feel as though you left Mexico for the streets of Europe. Located in the northwestern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, this city is built on the ancient Maya city of T’ho and is filled with beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.
At the heart of the historic city, the Plaza Grande is home to Mérida Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas. Construction began in 1561, and it features Spanish Renaissance and Mannerist architectural details, making it appear almost like a fortress.
If visiting, I recommend visiting the Paseo de Montejo, one of the most well-known and historic streets in Mérida. Here, the roads are lined with French-neoclassical and European-style mansions, many of which have been repurposed into museums, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. This street is approximately 4 miles long and is modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Each Sunday morning, the Paseo de Montejo closes to allow cyclists to ride along this route without the worry of car traffic, making it even easier to admire this breathtaking part of the city.
Catalina Island, California
There are several places in California that feel like a European getaway, but my personal favorite is Catalina Island.
Catalina is a small island that’s just a short ferry ride from cities like Dana Point, Long Beach, or San Pedro. Once you arrive, this gorgeous destination makes you feel like you are walking along the streets of the Amalfi Coast or Greek islands.
Here, the main town, Avalon, is home to a crescent-shaped harbor with beautiful pastel-colored buildings with tiled roofs that climb up the mountain. Bright blue water stretches into the distance, reminiscent of Santorini.
I have walked the streets of Catalina Island many times and love its pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and slower pace. This destination seems to run on island time rather than the hustle of California cities like Los Angeles.
My favorite thing to do on Catalina Island is rent a bicycle from one of the many shops and ride around the island. If you have the energy, ride to the Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook on Wrigley Road for an incredible view of Avalon Bay, the Catalina Casino, and the Pacific Ocean.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is not your traditional Michigan town. Rather, it feels like a Bavarian village straight out of a storybook. This unique destination was settled by German Lutheran settlers in 1845 and later transformed into a fully Bavarian-themed destination, nicknamed “Little Bavaria” to encourage tourism.
And it worked. When you arrive, you’ll truly feel like you’ve left the U.S., as the buildings feature an alpine-medieval style with steep roofs, cobblestone accents, and colorful flower boxes.
In town, the Glockenspiel Tower mimics traditional German clock towers, and even restaurants like Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth offer traditional German fare.
One of Frankenmuth’s most popular events is the annual Oktoberfest, held in mid-September. This four-day event features food, music, dancing, and vendors. Even Munich-based brewer Hofbrauhaus is this festival’s official sponsor and imports German beer for the event.
The Shortcut
Skip the skis in Mont-Tremblant: The French Alpine feel comes from the car-free village, so a gondola ride and an afternoon at the spa get you there without a lift ticket.
Plan Mérida around a Sunday morning: That’s when the boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées closes to cars and becomes a bike route.
Do Xochimilco on a weekday morning: Weekends and midday get crowded, and the boat rides are cash only, so bring small bills.
Leave the Dutch phrasebook at home: Willemstad looks like Amsterdam, but English is widely spoken.
Go to Frankenmuth in mid-September: Its Oktoberfest pours beer imported by Munich’s Hofbräuhaus.
