Five Us Destinations That Offer The European Experience Without The Passport: Here’s The New Updates You Should Know

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Dreaming of a European picnic but don’t person nan money for a travel to Paris aliases Portofino?There are plentifulness of charming U.S. towns that connection Old World ambiance and rooftop views – and they won’t costs you a formation crossed nan Atlantic (or a Transatlantic formation is required). This broadside of nan pond, nan home gems tin bring Europe to you. If walking overseas intends tackling nan visa process, these section options could beryllium nan cleanable replacement successful spot of an overseas holiday. No passport required, battalion your suitcase and let’s go!

Here are 5 U.S. cities that consciousness for illustration a European city:

• St. Augustine, Florida

The United States’ oldest city, St. Augustine, provides a sensation of Spain on its Atlantic coast. Dating backmost to nan 1500s, nan metropolis is afloat of history pinch Spanish-influenced architecture. Visitors tin besides circuit Castillo de San Marcos, a colonial-era Spanish fort. The cobblestone streets and beautiful beaches of St. Augustine make you consciousness arsenic though you’ve stepped into a charming Spanish coastal town. St. Augustine Boasting a history that traces backmost to nan 1565 erstwhile nan first imperishable European colony was founded successful this region, St. Augustine is an enchanting European-style getaway successful nan bosom of Florida.

• Catalina Island, California

Only an hr from nan Southern California coast, Catalina Island takes visitors to nan Italian Riviera acknowledgment to its picturesque coastlines, rustic main thoroughfare and stunning Avalon Casino. Boasting cliffs and clear water, nan island’s segment lends a European vibe. Rent a vessel for a spot of snorkeling aliases locomotion done Avalon and person crystal pick connected nan beach. Catalina Island: A speedy time travel pinch an Italian vibe successful California.

• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

For those who want to dream of Switzerland, Coeur d’ Alene successful Idaho offers a beautiful lakeside acquisition of nan highest order. Surrounded by mountains, nan untouched reservoir is cleanable for boating, picnicking and hiking. The serene mounting and outdoor activities lend it nan aerial of an alpine retreat. The stunning beauty of Switzerland matches pinch nan relaxed gait of life successful nan Pacific Northwest each successful Coeur d’Alene, a cleanable picnic destination for quality lovers and escapade enthusiasts.

• Santa Barbara, California

The city, known arsenic nan “American Riviera,” has a Mediterranean ambiance and is filled pinch white-stucco buildings, breezy marinas and aureate beaches. Only 2 hours from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is simply a operation of nan aged and nan caller pinch chic vibes, wine-tasting astatine nan mom-and-pop wineries, and scenic pacific water fronts. It is nary wonderment Santa Barbara is often likened to nan Mediterranean pinch each of its European glamour. Whether you and yours are lounging by nan beach, hitting nan shops connected State Street, aliases sipping section vino astatine cool adjacent wineries, Europe awaits (in sunny Cali).

• Tarpon Springs, Florida

Situated connected nan Gulf Coast of Florida, Tarpon Springs is rich | successful Greek history, offering a U.S.A. replacement to a picnic successful Greece. The historical downtown of nan municipality resembles a emblematic Greek colony pinch achromatic and bluish buildings, awesome Greek nutrient and friends docks. The sponge docks successful Tarpon Springs, wherever sponge divers unload their haul, supply nan cleanable Greek colony experience. Tourists tin indulge successful Greek pastries, prime up unsocial gifts and acquisition section civilization — without having to transverse nan Atlantic.

US Visa Requirements US Tourist Visas to Eastern Europe-style Destinations

These European-inspired home destinations do not require a visa aliases passport for U.S. citizens, making for a speedy and convenient escape. If you’re reasoning of walking to Europe though, here’s what you really request to cognize successful position of visa requirements:

• Short-Term Visits to Europe

Most European countries tin beryllium visited by U.S. passport holders for short-term tourism aliases business without getting a visa, acknowledgment to nan Schengen Area pact. Well known nations, specified arsenic Spain, Italy, France, and Greece, are included successful nan statement truthful that U.S. citizens tin relax and sojourn freely.

• Longer Stays

Travellers who wish to enactment longer than 90 days, and those who scheme to activity successful aliases to study successful Germany are required to use for nan corresponding visa accordingly. You should use for a visa good up of clip of your intended day of travel.

• Brexit Considerations

The U.K. nary longer offers Americans visa-free introduction aft Brexit. U.S. citizens tin recreation to nan UK for short stays for tourism without a visa, but will request a visa to sojourn nan state for longer periods aliases for different types of travel.

• ETIAS for Schengen Area

And successful 2024, Americans will person to capable retired an online registration shape to person a visa waiver to sojourn Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days via nan European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Like nan U.S. ESTA this recreation licence tin beryllium requested online and is valid for aggregate entries.

• Travel Health and Safety

And don’t hide to verify immoderate wellness and information protocols, including those related to Covid-19 aliases vaccinations, earlier readying your travel to Europe. Travel guidance tin alteration often; you mightiness want to cheque these rules arsenic your travel approaches.

Conclusion

These U.S. destinations whitethorn not beryllium arsenic bully arsenic nan existent deal, but they’re a good replacement if you’re dying for nan Europe experience. And, whether you’re wandering nan centuries-old streets of St. Augustine, taking successful nan Italian Riviera scenery of Catalina Island, aliases basking successful nan Swiss Alps-style beauty of Coeur d’Alene, nan scenic American treasures will make for an unforgettable getaway. And for those making plans for world travel, knowledge of visa requirements intends seamless recreation to European destinations erstwhile nan clip is right.