These 9 American Destinations Are The Local Answer To Your European Wanderlust

This season, we’re all feeling a little wanderlust. Whether we’re daydreaming of island-hopping in the clear waters of the Mediterranean or strolling along the banks of the Seine, our minds tend to dwell anywhere but here. But what if we could satisfy our globe-trotting cravings in our own backyard? All it takes is opening our eyes to the hidden gems and Euro-inspired surprises that are right around the corner ― the ones you find on paths you never expected. We partnered with Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages and its new Delightways app to bring you nine American adventures that meet each and every one of your Euro-travel dreams ― no passport required.

1. Washington, D.C., and Paris, France

Pennsylvania Avenue leading up to the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.; The Champs Élysées leading up to L’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

If you find yourself musing about the grand boulevards of Paris, do your wallet a favor and set your sights a little closer to home: Washington, D.C., to be exact. Our nation’s capital has a surprisingly French feel to it, thanks in large part to George Washington, who commissioned Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a Frenchman who fought in the American Revolutionary War, to be D.C.’s city planner.

Inspired by the designs of Paris and Versailles, L’Enfant left behind a distinctly French flavor in the wide, tree-lined avenues of D.C., highlighted even more so by the beautiful government buildings and museums that rival those you’ll find in the City of Light. Walk along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol Building for a flash of what it’s like to stroll the Champs Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. Follow up by taking in the view of the Washington Monument above the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool -- it’s the closest you’ll come to the sight of the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadéro.

2. Leavenworth, Wash., and Rothenburg, Germany

Bavarian-style village in Leavenworth, Wash.; Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany.

Craving something a little more quaint than a bustling capital city? Head on over to Leavenworth, Wash., a town modeled after the picturesque Bavarian villages of Germany. Nearing financial disaster in the 1960s, Leavenworth transformed itself from an old logging town into a veritable Bavarian outpost in America, designed specifically to attract tourists and boost business. It bears an especially remarkable resemblance to Rothenburg, Germany, a romantic medieval village that’s a favorite among tourists.

The alpine views and fairy tale–like architecture of Leavenworth aren’t the town’s only Bavarian qualities; with an annual Oktoberfest and a Bavarian-style Christmas market, the city offers festivals and events that rival those you’ll find in the Old World.

3. Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, and the Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, Alaska.; The Blue Lagoon in Grindavík, Iceland.

You’ve all seen them: those enviable Instagrams of the breathtaking Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near Reykjavik, Iceland, that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. While there are few swimming holes in the U.S. that match the vibrant turquoise color of the Blue Lagoon -- let alone its famed spa amenities -- you’ll come close in Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, Alaska. The natural hot springs’ mineral waters are said to have similar curative properties as those in the Blue Lagoon, which are believed to drastically improve the skin.

While it’s hard to top the allure of its soothing waters, perhaps the most beautiful feature of Chena Hot Springs is the locale’s awe-inspiring aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights). While tourists tend to venture to Iceland and Scandinavia in search of this natural technicolor light show, you can find it a little closer to home in our very own Alaska -- so why not kill two wanderlust birds with one stone by soaking in the mineral water and lovely lights up north?

4. Napa Valley, Calif., and Tuscany, Italy

Vineyard in Napa Valley, Calif.; Vineyard in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy.

Got a penchant for Pinot and the like? Then chances are you’re champing at the bit to visit European wine country -- but why break the bank? California wine country offers the same rolling green hills, sunny skies and decadent wine tastings you’d find overseas in Tuscany -- albeit with fewer stone villas dotting the horizon. Plan a trip to Napa Valley to indulge in the Cabernets and Chardonnays of your dreams, and make a toast to America’s answer to Old World wine country.

If it’s bubbly you’re after, journey over to Domaine Chandon in Yountville for a sparkling wine tour. The vineyard was founded by the French Champagne house Moët & Chandon in 1973 -- making it the first French-owned sparkling winemaker in the U.S. -- so you can trust you’re getting as close to the European original as can be.

5. Seattle, Wash., and London, England

The Great Wheel lit up against the skyline of Seattle, Wash.; Birds-eye view of Central London, with the London Eye lit up in the skyline.

If city living is more your speed, you probably dream of a trip to the bustling international hub that is London -- but it’s not always easy to make a trip across the pond. Instead, turn to Seattle for a taste of the U.K. capital. Seattle’s weather alone is enough to make you feel like you’re in England; on average, both cities spend just short of half the year under rain clouds, so you can wander the puddle-lined streets of Seattle with an umbrella in hand, just as you’ve always fantasized of doing along the Thames.

But Seattle’s wet weather isn’t the only London-like aspect of the city. If you’re looking for a true taste of the British metropolis, seek out activities that echo those you’ll find in London, from a trip on the Great Wheel (reminiscent of the London Eye) to an afternoon shopping in Pike Place Market (Seattle’s answer to Borough Market).

6. Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and County Donegal, Ireland

Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.; Fanad Head Lighthouse in County Donegal, Ireland.

Not so far -- but worlds away -- from London are the shores of Ireland. For wanderlusting Americans, the Irish coastline promises a rugged beauty you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world -- but the coast of Maine comes pretty darn close. With emerald hills, craggy cliffs and picture-perfect lighthouses, Maine has an unmistakable air of Ireland to it, right down to the foggy mornings and the expansive ocean views.

If you’re looking for a truly copycat experience stateside, venture out to Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth -- it’s a dead ringer for Fanad Head Lighthouse in County Donegal, Ireland.

7. Pella, Iowa, and Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The city of Pella, Iowa.; Traditional row houses in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

While on the subject of copycats, we’d be remiss in leaving out America’s very own Amsterdam lookalike: Pella, Iowa. Believe it or not, America’s heartland is home to a true bastion of Dutch charm. With quaint canals, wooden windmills and canal house architecture, the town of Pella -- founded in 1847 by Dutch immigrants -- captures the unique allure of Amsterdam.

8. Miami, Fla., and Ibiza, Spain

South Pointe Park, Miami, Florida.; Cala d’Hort Beach in Ibiza, Spain.

The peaceful, quaint Dutch canals of Iowa are all well and good, but if it’s a party you’re after, head on down to Miami, Fla. -- America’s answer to the ultimate party isle that is Ibiza. The Spanish island is known for its world-class nightclubs, attracting the best EDM DJs from around the world. Miami, too, has a reputation as the best party spot in the U.S.; from its opulent nightclubs and rooftop bars to its sweeping beaches, Miami boasts the same hedonistic draws as Ibiza does -- but it’s a heck of a lot closer to home. So grab your swimsuit and dive into your Ibiza daydreams, stateside.

9. Glacier National Park, Mont., and Salzkammergut, Austria

Wild Goose Island in Glacier National Park, Mont.; Vorderer Gosausee in Salzkammergut, Austria.

To recapture our Zen at the end of a season well spent, a breath of fresh mountain air is just what we need. This time of year, we’re lusting after the rolling green vistas, sparkling lakes and clear blue skies of the Alps, so we’re turning to their less talked-about -- but no less glorious -- American counterpart: Glacier National Park in Montana.

While you should by no means take Austria’s Lake Region (known as Salzkammergut) off your bucket list, the outdoorsy among us can find all the hiking, biking, boating and camping they’re craving in Glacier National Park. The park is just as picturesque as its European cousin -- think towering alpine forests, pristine blue lakes and all the wildflowers of your wildest daydreams.

Know of another hidden gem in the U.S. that didn’t make our list? Share it in the comments!

No matter where your adventures take you this season, take time to experience the joy of wandering and exploring new paths. Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages is bringing a taste of Italy and The Life Deliziosa to the U.S., inspiring us to savor the flavors of life’s little joys ― the ones you find where you least expect them. With the help of Delightways, a new app by Sanpellegrino® Sparkling Fruit Beverages, you can discover more delight-filled gems off the beaten path by creating custom wandering routes through cities including San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Delight isn’t only in the destination, but in the moments of joy we find along the way ― as long as we take a moment to explore.

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