Only Europe is Europe. Scenery and landscape aside, there is nothing on the North American continent to rival the ancient castles and cathedrals, the enduring civilizations and cultures of the European nations. No question about that.

But what if you wanted a real taste of Europe without getting on a plane?

If you actually know parts of Europe—France, Germany, the Lowlands, Scandinavia, and more—and also know corresponding regions in the U.S. and Canada, tell me this: where in North America do you find the nearest equivalent to those places? Where could someone experience a real sense of being abroad without leaving this continent?

Topics: travel, Europe, North America, virtual Europe, continental cities