Culture and Lifestyle Activities and Entertainment 9 Southern Destinations That Feel Like Europe Tune out the Southern accents around you, and you just might think you’re in Germany. By Betsy Cribb Watson Betsy Cribb Watson Betsy is the Senior Home and Features Editor at Southern Living. She writes about a veritable potpourri of topics for print and digital, from profiling Southern movers-and-shakers and celebrating family traditions to highlighting newsy restaurant openings and curating the annual holiday gift guide. Prior to joining the Southern Living team in 2017 as the style editor, she worked at Coastal Living as an assistant editor covering pets and homes. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on June 30, 2024 Close Photo: Robbie Caponetto If you’re yearning for a European getaway but can’t swing the pricey flights or the time away, we’ve got you covered. The South is chock full of destinations that’ll satiate the travel bug a bit closer to home; you just have to know where to go. Tour a 17th-century French cottage in Texas, sink into a plate of authentic Greek moussaka in Florida, and experience timeless Swiss traditions in West Virginia. Whether they’re inspired by the architecture of far-away places or reflect the cultures of immigrants who settled there long ago, these nine Southern destinations will give you a taste of Europe—without ever having to hop on a plane. The 10 Most Underrated Summer Vacation Destinations In The South 01 of 09 Alys Beach, Florida Robbie Caponetto With its sun-bleached white buildings marked by curvy rooflines and hidden-away courtyards, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Santorini. But this is 30A, the scenic Florida highway that snakes along the cerulean Gulf of Mexico. While the stretch is home to a number of charming beach towns, including Grayton and Seaside, Alys is the one that feels most like a Mediterranean escape. 02 of 09 Castroville, Texas Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Founded in 1844 by families from the region of Alsace, France, this teeny village is not the least bit coy about its European roots, declaring itself the Little Alsace of Texas. The visitors center is even housed in the Steinbach Haus, a 17th-century cottage that was shipped from Wahlbach, France, and reconstructed in the Lone Star State. 03 of 09 Charleston, South Carolina Peter Frank Edwards Though the Holy City was established by colonists from England and carries those architectural influences, as well as those of Spain and France (a trait shared by many early-settled cities in the U.S.), some visitors may feel it bears something of a resemblance to Copenhagen, with its colorful row houses and incredible culinary scene. 04 of 09 Fredericksburg, Texas Stephen Saks / Getty Images While this Texas Hill Country town between San Antonio and Austin has landed on many Southern travel bucket lists thanks to its abundance of wineries, the lasting influence of its original German settlers is a strong siren call too. From coffee shops and authentic biergartens to town square holiday celebrations complete with the traditional German Christmas pyramid, this is a place that revels in both its Texas spirit and German roots. 05 of 09 Helen, Georgia Robbie Caponetto This bitty Bavarian haven was once a logging town in decline, but thanks to a 1969 German-inspired facelift—complete with brightly colored half-timbered buildings—it found new life as a sliver of the Alps in the Appalachian Mountains. In the 55 years since its makeover, the mountain town has fully committed to the bit in an entirely charming way, with an Oktoberfest celebration and Christkindlmarkt (a holiday market) that welcome folks from miles around. 06 of 09 Helvetia, West Virginia Christina Fowler/Courtesy of West Virginia Tourism In 1869, a small group of Swiss and German-speaking immigrants left Brooklyn and headed South for the wild and wonderful mountains of West Virginia. More than 150 years later, the Swiss influence still has a stronghold in the tiny village (current population: ~60). You’ll see alpine influences everywhere, from the wooden structures painted with floral motifs to the beloved annual events. Tuck into a classic Swiss meal at The Hütte Restaurant, or time your trip with “Fasnacht,” the traditional pre-Lent masquerade celebration and parade (think flannels and jeans, not black tie) that’s celebrated before Fat Tuesday each year. 07 of 09 New Orleans, Louisiana SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Given that the place changed hands between France and Spain (and then back to France again), before being sold to the United States in 1803, it’s little wonder that many of the vibrant city’s cultural touchstones, from the architecture to the cuisine, are rooted in French and Spanish culture. Look to the French Quarter’s fanciful wrought iron balconies and just about any menu in town, and you’ll see just what we mean. 08 of 09 St. Augustine, Florida Kenneth_Keifer/Getty Images Settled by the Spanish in the 1500s, this storied shore city is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the country. Now a national monument, the 17th century Castillo de San Marcos captures the “Ancient City” at its far-flung-feeling best: Constructed of native coquina stones, the old fort towers over the sparkling Atlantic-bound Matanzas River and makes for a magical view. 09 of 09 Tarpon Springs, Florida Tara Massouleh McCay Positioned along the Saint Joseph Sound, this small city offers an authentic Greek experience, thanks to the Greek divers who made it home in 1905, shortly after sponge beds were discovered off its coast. The Historic Sponge Docks are still the bustling heart of town, where you’ll find authentic eats, from chargrilled octopus to moussaka, and a bevy of shops. 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