Recently, Delta Air Lines released its annual list of the most-searched destinations and—quelle surprise—it read like a Rick Steves itinerary: London, Paris, Rome, Athens… But if a summer jaunt across the pond isn’t in your travel forecast, consider that some of the South’s most charming towns and regions bear an uncanny resemblance to popular global getaways. So stash the passport, grab your weekender, and explore these Southern destination dupes.
Charleston, South Carolina
could pass for Paris, France or Quebec City, Canada
Many travelers have noted that Charleston, South Carolina, has its Parisian moments, including a French Quarter dotted with wrought-iron balconies. A sunset bike ride South of Broad seems made for an Edith Piaf soundtrack. Sipping cocktails al fresco—whether on a Battery piazza or the patio of a cozy eatery like Fast & French or Chez Nous—can evoke the unmistakable charms of the City of Light. And with landmarks like the Huguenot Church foundational to its heritage, Charleston certainly has the historical gravitas to appeal to any devoted Francophile.
However, Canada’s Quebec City feels truly cut from the same cloth as Charleston. Both cities date back to the 1600s and were shaped by colonial ambition and rivers—Quebec by the mighty Saint Lawrence, Charleston by the Ashley and Cooper. Each was once a fortified outpost (but only in Quebec can you still stroll the entirety of its original city walls, the only complete set left in North America). Both boast fiercely protected historic districts where restoration isn’t just encouraged—it’s mandated. And the culinary scenes of both emphasize locally sourced and expertly made with an abundance of seafood and farm-to-table spots. In Charleston, the best way to take in the historic beauty is from a luxury hotel rooftop. Consider the Loutrel, the Dewberry, or the much anticipated and first waterfront accommodation on the peninsula, the Cooper.
Alys Beach, Florida
could pass for Bermuda
A striking feature emerges as you descend onto the island of Bermuda: rows upon rows of white stepped roofs. Limestone cisterns in disguise, these rooftops are more than a charming decorative motif—they embody a four-hundred-year-old tradition of ingenuity in the North Atlantic British territory. With no natural sources of freshwater such as rivers, lakes, or springs, the island’s homes are built to harvest rainwater, turning necessity into a defining design element.
You’ll find a kindred white-washed aesthetic along Florida’s Gulf Coast in the meticulously planned community of Alys Beach. While there is plenty of natural water to be had here, the architects behind the seaside enclave took a page out of the Bermuda roof stylebook to allow the surrounding dunes, sea, and sky to take center stage. Those designers also created a pedestrian-first layout, meaning you can soak all that beauty in on foot. But for some folks in the South, getting to Bermuda might actually be quicker than getting to Florida. You can now fly to the island’s L.F. Wade International Airport via new direct flights from Charleston, South Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.
New River Gorge, Fayetteville, West Virginia
could pass for Huajiang Canyon Bridge, Shenzhen, Guizhou province, China
When it opens this summer, China’s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will claim the title of the world’s tallest bridge, soaring an astonishing 2,051 feet above river level in Guizhou province. To put it in perspective, its steel trusses weigh as much as three Eiffel Towers, according to CNN. But it’s not just the bridge that stuns. The natural wonder below it—or what’s colloquially referred to as “earth crack”—is as much a marvel as this gravity-defying feat of engineering. Who wouldn’t want a front-row view of that?
Then again, you’re looking at twenty-three hours of flight time, at a minimum, to make the ribbon cutting. Take to the hills of West Virginia instead, where another awe-inspiring structural triumph sits atop the South’s very own grand canyon. New River Gorge, a relatively new addition to the National Park system, dates back at least 65 million years and is home to the eponymous New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. And soaring above this favorite spot for whitewater rafting is the impressive New River Bridge—the longest steel span in the Western Hemisphere. From Adventures on the Gorge, an outdoor outfitter and lodge, you can make the most of the park. Stay in a deluxe cabin, then enjoy amenities like the Timber Trek ropes course, float fishing expeditions, and horseback trail rides.
Braselton, Georgia
could pass for Loire Valley, France
Fairytale castles have long cast their spell over France’s Loire Valley, drawing millions to its enchanted landscape each year. This pastoral region—where vine-laced hills cradle turreted châteaux—holds UNESCO World Heritage status and attracts several million visitors annually. But the flavors of campagne Française can actually be had an hour and a half north of Atlanta.
Un petit Loire is what you’ll find in Braselton, thanks to rolling foothills that mimic Mont des Avaloirs and a resort made in sixteenth-century French architectural vernacular. Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, the state’s largest wine producer, offers a full-bodied experience with five on-site restaurants and plenty of opportunities for vintage tastings and strolls through 3,500 acres of vineyards.
Keswick, Virginia
could pass for Italy’s Piedmont Region
Let’s be honest—Italy is always a good idea. But with the Catholic Jubilee, last year’s record-breaking crowds in Florence, and the bustle of the recent Papal Conclave, you wouldn’t be blamed for putting la dolce vita on hold (for now). Instead, find Piedmont beauty in a different Piedmont—that of Central Virginia.
Much like Italy’s Piedmont, Albemarle County has rolling hills and a grape cultivation scene with its own historical bona fides: Thomas Jefferson started it in 1771. In fact, in Keswick you’ll find three lovely wineries (even one with some royal connections, but you didn’t hear that from us) and miles of stunning scenery. The best place to hole up to enjoy the terroir is undeniably Keswick Hall. The 1912-built Italianate manse got a top-to-tail makeover in 2021 by hoteliers Robert and Molly Hardie (who also count Nashville’s Hermitage within their portfolio). Soak in the infinity pool overlooking the Pete Dye golf course or dine at the elegant Marigold restaurant, with a menu from highly decorated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Fredericksburg, Texas
could pass for Rhine River Valley, Germany
Sometimes the best stand-in for a European escape is a regional gem with deep international roots. Case in point: Fredericksburg. Tucked in the Hill Country just over an hour from San Antonio, this charming town was founded in 1846 by German immigrants under the banner of a curious venture—the Mainzer Adelsverein, a society of German aristocrats determined to establish a “New Germany” in the Republic of Texas. The noble-led experiment didn’t quite go according to plan, but the cultural imprint stuck. Today, Fredericksburg hums with old-world spirit—and plenty of bratwurst and biergartens—set against a distinctly Texan backdrop.
Begin your visit with a stop at the Pioneer Museum Complex or the Vereins Kirche Museum to learn about the first German settlers. Then grab a pint at Altstadt Brewery before tucking in at the Albert Hotel, which opened this year on the limestone-building-lined Main Street.
Asheville, North Carolina
could pass for the Swiss Alps
If you’re looking for a reason to trade the Swiss Alps for a stateside escape, Asheville makes a compelling case. Here, the sweeping grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains rivals the dramatic slopes surrounding the Matterhorn. Farm-driven dining celebrates the region’s rich agriculture heritage, and a fiercely imaginative community—rooted in Appalachian craft and folk traditions—offers a distinctly American counterpart to Switzerland’s reverence for the “peasant painting” of Bauernmalerei. That winning combination is elevated by a dose of glamour at two iconic stays: the Biltmore and the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa. At the former—George Vanderbilt’s 1889 Gilded Age masterpiece—you can immerse yourself in old-timey opulence, with a dozen on-site restaurants and a winery offering the next best thing to Swiss après-ski: post-Biltmore-tour wine flights. Also impressive is the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa. You can’t beat patio cocktails at sunset overlooking the Blue Ridge in the distance.
