8 Secret European Villages...Not in Europe
Who wouldn't want to take an Insta-perfect holiday to a quaint European village? Pretty much no one; after all, there's a reason films like Under the Tuscan Sun, Before Sunrise and Midnight in Paris are so popular. But let's face it: The journey of self-discovery amidst cobblestone streets is so popular a fantasy that it's almost become hackneyed at this point. For something a bit more creative, visit one of the villages below, which, despite their European-like charm, are located nowhere near Europe.
1. Frankenmuth, Michigan
Michigan's "Little Bavaria" looks as though it's been plucked straight from an Oktoberfest postcard — even more so during the annual celebration at the end of September. Just 30 minutes north of Flint, the town is known for its cute covered bridges and its Franconian-style architecture, easily recognizable by the timber "X" patterns on the exterior of buildings. The city's German heritage is honored at a number of local restaurants and Frankenmuth Brewery (the oldest in the state) as well as regular festivals like Bavarian Festival, celebrating 60 years in June 2018. Catch an Allegiant flight to Flint and raise a glass of lager.
2. Florentia Village, China
Pick up a Prada purse or Zegna suit for a steal while strolling through piazzas and palazzos that look like they were designed by Florentine Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Florentia Village is part shopping mall, part dining destination and 100 percent Italophile dream. The northern Chinese town features a mix of designer shops and high-end restaurants in a recreation of a 16th-century Italian town, complete with fountains, a small-scale Colosseum and gondola rides, even though Roman amphitheaters and Venetian gondolas have nothing to do with the town's namesake Florence. Snag a flight deal to Beijing; Florentia village is 20 minutes away via high-speed train.
3. Solvang, California
Reach peak hygge without leaving the US in this historic Danish village, located just outside Santa Barbara. Behold traditional Danish–style architecture while soaking up the California sun. Snack on wienerbrod (Danish pastries) and butter cookies at authentic bakeries before visiting the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Early December is prime time to partake in the annual Julefest, Christmas-themed events. Get a cheap flight to LAX and take a meandering drive up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.
4. Bà Nà Hills, Vietnam
Sprouting up from the ruins of this former French colonial hillside getaway, Bà Nà Hills Resort has recently been transformed into a classic Gallic village. Surrounded by greenery and occasional mountain mist, this Francophile paradise features an array of French architectural styles, a Gothic cathedral and Le Jardin D'Amour, a complex of 9 gardens. Make sure to ride the 5,801-meter cable car up the lush mountain past trickling waterfalls and streams. Look for an inexpensive flight to Ho Chi Minh City, then jump on a domestic connection to Da Nang.
5. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Like a Little Lisbon across the Rio Plata from Buenos Aires, this idyllic town looks like it was built on the wrong side of the Atlantic. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, the village has earned itself a spot on UNESCO's World Heritage list for its Old World design, meandering streets and architecture, which is marked by long stone walls, wooden trellises and tiled roofs. Unlike other Latin American cities, Colonia developed around the topographical features of the landscape, rather than the checkerboard grid pattern required by Spain's "Law of the Indies." To get there, grab a nonstop flight to Buenos Aires.
6. Hahndorf, South Australia
Established in 1839 by a group of Lutherans escaping religious persecution, Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. With traditional Fachwerk (post-and-beam) buildings and a Gothic-style church with a bell tower imported from Germany, it looks like someone plopped a tiny Deutschland village in the middle of the Outback. The popular Adelaide Hills tourist town still offers plenty of German-inspired cafes, beer halls and businesses. Try to land a cheap flight to Melbourne, then drive, fly or take a train to Adelaide.
7. Provence Village, Paju, South Korea
Snag hand-painted ceramics, flowers and macarons at this full-fledged Provençal village, filled with pastel-hued, tile-roofed buildings, fountains and grand gardens. The shopping center and tourist destination features around a dozen restaurants — including a European bakery and cafe — as well as shops, galleries and a handmade perfume store. Fly premium economy flight to Seoul; Paju is about a 90-minute drive from the capital.
8. Cambridge, Ontario
Avoid the nerds crowds on the Game of Thrones tours with a trip to this Winterfell-like town. Downtown Cambridge (formerly Galt) is remarkably reminiscent of a Northern village in the series — or some Medieval escape — with an abundance of single-story stone cottages, quaint bowstring arch bridge and Middle Ages-inspired Gothic-style architecture. And it's just an hour away from Toronto.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.