Visit This Florida Town Instead of Europe

Traveling to Europe is an exciting experience, but it's not for everyone. If you don't want to head overseas, one Florida city is being called a sort of mini-Europe. So, perhaps you'll want to go there instead of Europe. Maybe you don't like flying, or maybe you don't have the funds right now to plan a big European getaway. Whatever your reason for skipping the big trip to Europe, here are some other travel options that don't require a passport.

The experts at Travel and Leisure have put together a roster of some cities that give you that European travel experience but are in America. "Whether you're bound by time or have only budgeted for a domestic trip, there are plenty of domestic options that will make you feel like you're abroad," they state. "The most European towns and cities in America evoke the ambience of countries like Italy, France, Germany, and Spain through architecture, topography and culture." In total, they highlighted 14 cities in the feature, and one of them is a Florida staple.

Before we get to our state, I want to point out that another American city they feature as a Europe-like spot is Washington, D.C. Travel and Leisure points out that a Frenchman, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, was the main person who designed the capital of the U.S., so it has that Paris-like quality, offering "grand, tree-lined boulevards and plentiful gardens and monuments." The city's design really hasn't changed much since L'Enfant's initial design, so it has a great Paris vibe. Washington, D.C. offers streets that are very walkable, a low skyline and lots of greenery. I also think the most beautiful time of year in Washington, D.C. is in the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Travel and Leisure also highlights San Francisco, California, as a great mini-Europe because of the Bay Area's Mediterranean influence. Of course, a real landmark of San Francisco is the marvelous Golden Gate Bridge, which is a must-see if you go.

So, which Florida city is a spot you might want to travel to instead of Europe? Travel and Leisure highlights Tarpon Springs, Florida, as being a spot that reminds them of Greece. "If it looks like Greece, feels like Greece, and tastes like Greece, then it must be … Florida?" they state. They add that Tarpon Springs is the U.S. city with the most Greek Americans and that "Greeks first settled in the area to lend their expertise to the booming sponge-harvesting trade." When you're there, visit the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which is absolutely stunning and gives you that European vibe. In a separate story, Sixt.com lists St. Augustine as a city that makes you feel like you're in Spain, since it has "the architecture of the Spanish explorers who settled here in 1565." They add, "Today you can visit the Castillo de San Marcos, which protected the city when it was built in the 1600s." So, another option is to head there instead of Europe. I think it's great to see these spots that are in Florida named some of America's more Europe-like places.

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and resorts. After all, Florida is the Sunshine State. But, if you're looking for some more underrated, and less busy, Florida beaches, then you also have some options. The major beaches are often filled with tourists, so finding some of the more underrated Florida beaches may be just what you need for a quiet getaway.

Before we get to the most underrated Florida beaches to visit, let's talk about the amazing water areas that Florida has to offer. Florida is one of the boating and fishing capitals of the world. As VisitFlorida.com points out, the state has more than 7,700 lakes, 11,000 miles of rivers, 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and has been home to more than 900 world fishing records. That tops any other state or even country. How wild is to to think that Florida has created more fishing records than even any other country? It shows just how rich the state is when it comes to our water.

Florida also has more than 700 freshwater springs, and 27 are classified as first-magnitude springs, which is more than any other state. A few other special things about Florida is that John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo was America's very first underwater state park. Also, the fishing village of Cedar Key is known for having the best clam chowder in America. So, if you have a craving for clam chowder, that's the place to go.

A separate article from VisitFlorida.com notes that Florida beaches are known for being very clear, but "it varies from week to week, and even from day to day depending on the amount of sunlight, the temperature, the amount of rainfall, the wind speed and direction, water currents and surf." They add that Florida has some very clear and beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic Ocean. For clear water ost days, try "northwest Florida beaches in and around Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola; southwest Florida beaches on Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Siesta Key."

I love that fact that you can enjoy Florida beaches any time of the year. I mean, contrary to what people outside of the state think, it can get cold here in the winter. But, it's rarely too cold to sit on the beach with a sweatshirt on and watch the sunset. Read on for underrated Florida beaches to get on your radar.

Fort Myers Beach still has a good amount of damage from the hurricane, but Margaritaville is open, so you'll find plenty to do there. Situated on Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach is one of the state's most underrated beaches. At Fort Myers Beach, you'll find beautiful, white-sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets.

Make sure to visit Siesta Key here, as well as Sarasota Gay Beach and Crescent Beach. Just south of Tampa Bay, Sarasota is a lovely beach town that is especially popular during the holidays. You'll find lots of local shopping opportunities here.

St. George Island State Park is located on a barrier island fronting the legendary Apalachicola Bay. It's a great place to gaze at the stars. Note that starting March 1, 2025, the campground at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park will be closed for an expansion project.

If you head to Santa Rosa Beach and want to find some really special, and secret, beaches, try Blue Mountain Beach and Grayton Beach State Park. This beach town is less crowded than most, which makes it a low-key getaway.

Pensacola Beach is located on a 40-mile barrier island, Pensacola Beach, and has beautiful, translucent waters. It's a really small town, so it's much less crowded than other beaches. It's a hidden gem.

If you don't want to go too far, do some digging and visit one of the closest beaches to you, that you haven't visited yet. This is one of my favorite things to do. Maybe you'll find a new favorite beach super close to home.