Faux Europe

Just like most people can't really tell a cubic zirconia from a true diamond these days, North American vacationers who long for Europe can find a similar look and feel much closer to home. ProfessionalTravelGuide.com invites you to check out these destinations for a trip that will sparkle without breaking the bank.

Instead of Bordeaux, try ... Napa Valley California's famous vineyards may call to mind those in the wine regions of France (although the vintners prefer to think they produce equally good–if not better–wines). Plan a tour of the wineries, complete with tastings, and since they typically cost less than their French cousins, take home a few extra bottles of your favorites. Hotel Recommendations The Carneros Inn sits right across from Tattinger Vineyards and is surrounded by vineyards. Romantics will appreciate La Belle Epoque, a bed-and-breakfast in Napa's historic downtown, or the Harvest Inn, which nestles in working vineyards in St. Helena. For a more Gallic feel, try the Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford.

Instead of Paris, try ... New Orleans France permeates the Big Easy, in the architecture, language, food and zest for life. From the excess of Mardi Gras to the (touristy) charm of Vieux Carre–the French Quarter–to such institutions as Cafe du Monde, Antoine's and Arnaud's, visitors should "laissez le bon temps roulez!" (let the good times roll). Hotel Recommendations The Dauphine Orleans Hotel oozes French charm, down to its past life as a bordello, and it frequently has European guests. Meanwhile, W New Orleans–French Quarter offers an intimate, contemporary take on Gallic elan. And for those who crave the nightlife, the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans gives patrons inviting surroundings in the heart of the Bourbon Street action.

Instead of Lyon, try ... Quebec City Francophiles will find much to admire in Quebec City: The UNESCO World Heritage Site features French as a primary language, a culture that celebrates wine and food, and the impressive Chateau Frontenac, which looks like a French castle. There is even an entire museum, the Musee de l'Amerique Francaise, that showcases French culture in North America. Hotel Recommendations Euros aren't required, but a pile of money is: If you can afford it, The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac symbolizes Quebec City, to the point that it's often filled with tourists. Other elegant properties include the Auberge Saint-Antoine, the Hotel Dominion 1912 and the Loews Le Concorde.

Instead of Lisbon, try ... San Juan Take Spanish colonial architecture, add a cosmopolitan nightlife and cultural offerings such as art museums, and you might think you're in Madrid or Lisbon. Throw in pastel Caribbean colors and the U.S. dollar as the currency, however, and you're in the vibrant city of San Juan, which celebrates its heritage even as it embraces the present. Hotel Recommendations If you want Old San Juan, head for Hotel El Convento, a former convent that sits opposite the venerable Catedral de San Juan and wraps guests in luxury. For a more modern take, check in to Chateau Cervantes, a boutique-hotel that takes old-world ambience and updates it with modern flair.

Instead of the United Kingdom, try ... Bermuda Located off the coast of North Carolina and a short flight (about two hours) from New York, Bermuda seems like it should be adjacent to Merry Old England–except for the pastel-hued buildings, warm breezes and azure waters, of course. So if you like cricket, afternoon tea and a more formal mien, but also want tropical sunshine and soft, white sand, head for Bermuda. Hotel Recommendations With so many elegant accommodations, choosing likely will be a challenge. Pink Beach Club & Cottages offers a quintessential Bermuda experience, and The Fairmont Hamilton Princess opened during Queen Victoria's reign in 1885. Want true luxury? Head for Elbow Beach Bermuda, which sits above a pink-sand beach. For a less formal atmosphere (but fewer amenities), the 9 Beaches Resort with its over-water bungalows is an excellent option.

Instead of Amsterdam, try ... Curacao If not for the obviously Caribbean surroundings, travelers to Curacao might think they've arrived in Amsterdam. As part of the Netherland Antilles, the island wears its Dutch heritage proudly, especially Willemstad with its Dutch colonial buildings, and even uses windmills to produce electricity. A multitude of nationalities adds to the cosmopolitan feel. Hotel Recommendations Looking for location and character? The Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino in downtown Willemstad comprises several 18th- and 19th-century buildings. On the other side of the island, the elegant, family-run Avila Hotel has hosted such guests as European royalty and Simon Bolivar. Those wanting more action should try the Hilton Curacao or Breezes Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino.

Instead of London, try ... Barbados Farther south than Bermuda but possibly even more British in nature, Barbados has one of the most-developed tourism infrastructures in the Caribbean. Still, it offers visitors tradition (afternoon tea, anyone?), civility (a real opera season) and even refined sports (cricket, polo and horse racing), all with a dash of British decorum and Caribbean warmth. Hotel Recommendations If you want posh digs but authentic Barbados style, you can't go wrong with Coral Reef Club or The Sandpiper. Families may prefer the Crystal Cove or the Bougainvillea Beach Resort.

Instead of Spain, try ... Oaxaca, Mexico Founded by the Spanish in 1529, Oaxaca features beautiful Spanish Colonial buildings (the entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which coexist with the indigenous people's traditional ways of life and dress. Oaxaca also is home to a long tradition of artisanship, particularly pottery, carved wooden animals and woven goods. Hotel Recommendations For a historic setting, the Camino Real Oaxaca, in the 16th-century Convent of Santa Catalina, is the obvious choice. Hostal de La Noria features true colonial style, as does Casa Cid de Leon, although the latter only has four suites. Another charming choice is the Hotel Victoria.

Instead of Rome, try ... Buenos Aires If you can't decide between Italy, Barcelona and Paris, try Buenos Aires. The city celebrates its Spanish founding and subsequent Italian (and other European nations) migration and features chic shopping and dining along fashionable streets. All the while, a Latin beat keeps perfect time for a sexy tango–and prices that pale in comparison to the Old World. Hotel Recommendations To hobnob with heads of state or the glitterati, check in to the Alvear Palace Hotel or the Faena Hotel & Universe, respectively. Better bargains, however, are found at the Park Chateau Kempinski Hotel, the 725 Continental or the Buenos Aires cE Design Hotel.

Laura Laxton
Editor
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com