Trade in the conventional appeal of Provence vineyards and Parisian pavement for the forthcoming 2024 Summer, where the essence of Europe is just as much a mindset as it is a mere land mass. You can savour it closer than you ever thought – all within the U.S boundaries. Discover extraordinary spots giving a hint of the old world character yet with a definite American flair.
Washington’s Leavenworth offers Bavarian Bliss:
Consider Munich’s Marienplatz replaced with Leavenworth’s Festhalle. Here, local folks dressed in lederhosen gleefully touch steins to the rhythm of oompah music amid Bavarian pine trees. Explore the green valleys akin to the Black Forest, before bathing into a geothermal heated pool beneath a starry sky.
Tuscan Serenity in California’s Sonoma Valley:
Golden sunlit vineyards? Confirmed. Wineries boasting of Italian-inspired structures, serving first-rate red wines? Affirmed. The spirit of Tuscany is captured in Sonoma Valley, minus the fatigue of air travel. Hire an old-school Vespa, wander around quaint towns and relish farm fresh lunches on sunny terraces.
Door County, Wisconsin brings Nordic Serene:
Let go of Norway’s fjords. Look to your own backyard – Door County with its peninsula stretching into Lake Michigan has a distinctly Scandinavian flavor. Prettiest of fishing villages in hues of Nordic colours dot its coastline, while art shops overflow with modern crafts superior to those in Copenhagen. Kayak through hidden alcoves, ending the day with a sauna followed by a dip in the lake – pure Nordic happiness.
Newport, Rhode Island: Witness Greece in all its glory:
Replace Santorini’s chalky cliffs with the Newport’s Age of Gold houses. Traverse through Narragansett Bay’s blue-green waters, feel the ocean’s mist on your face like you’re inside Prometheus’ chariot. Enjoy refreshing beverages on lavish terraces with yacht masts waltzing just like Grecian olive trees. After a time spent uncovering lavish estates, dine on just-caught seafood as the sun sets golden.
North Carolina houses the concealed Hibernia in Outer Hebrides:
Tread the unexplored track to Outer Hebrides – a cluster of wind-beaten islands along the coast of North Carolina. Discover the blend of Gaelic traditions in towns named Ocracoke and Hatteras, where local folklore is replete with narratives of shipwrecks and siren. Residing in a beach cabin, wake up to the haunting melody of bagpipes in the sea breeze and observe the sun stealthily disappearing into the Atlantic like a blazing Celtic sunset.
This Summer, uncover Europe within U.S. From Bavarian beer corners to Nordic bathhouses, from Tuscan grape gardens to Grecian styled waterside, the journey of American heritage is ready for you. Pack belongings, wear your most comfortable shoes, arm yourself for surprises. Europe could be thousands of miles away, but it’s the spirit that thrives in the untravelled paths of the U.S., waiting to be welcomed.