Featured image: The Kentucky Castle
There is no true substitute for traveling abroad, venturing outside one’s comfort zone, and becoming fully immersed in a different culture. But for those seeking a continental state of mind without the long-haul flight or the price tag, there are several European dupes within driving distance.
From breathtaking architecture and design to world-class art and dining, these eight Southern destinations can help satisfy wanderlust—no SkyMiles necessary.
Alys Beach, Florida
On Florida’s Highway 30A, hugging the Emerald Coast, this 158-acre private community is known for its white stucco exteriors.
While the upscale homes and merchant buildings are primarily influenced by Bermudian architecture with influences from Antigua, Guatemala, and Moorish and Mediterranean elements, many residents and visitors feel transported to Greece.
Château Èlan Resort & Winery | Braselton, Georgia
Located about an hour north of Atlanta, this picturesque property spans 3,500 acres of vines, making it an ideal getaway for wine lovers.
Take a guided tour and tasting of varieties by award-winning Italian winemaker, Simone Bergese. The hotel’s newest addition, the Bordeaux Tasting Room, also offers sommelier-selected pours paired with chef-prepared tapas.
French Quarter | New Orleans, Louisiana
In the Vieux Carré, the name says it all. Nola’s oldest neighborhood was founded by the French in 1718. Three centuries later, relics remain in architecture, Mardi Gras, and Creole cuisine. After all, Louisiana’s favorite pastry, the beignet, came from France before becoming a local staple.
For fresh takes on tradition, trendy spots like MaMoum, a modern brasserie named for the place where many French-speaking Cajun families settled.
Hermitage Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee
Southerners needing some joie de vivre can find a piece of Paris in Nashville. Built in 1910, the historic Hermitage Hotel may only be steps from the city’s honky-tonks of Broadway and skyscrapers, but the breathtaking Beaux-Arts architecture feels many miles away.
Following a 2022 renovation, the Parisian influence continues into the gorgeous restaurant, Drusie & Darr, and chic all-day cafe, The Pink Hermit, both helmed by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Even the bathrooms are a marvel—and a popular selfie spot.
Also featured in: The Hermitage Hotel: A Landmark for Women, Then and Now
Hotel Domestique | Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Twenty miles north of Greenville, this 13-room inn may be tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but its European sensibility makes guests feel further afield. One of Hotel Domestique’s proprietors is the former professional cyclist George Hincapie, a key domestique for Lance Armstrong.
During his Tour de France training, Hincapie was drawn to Appalachia for its climate and terrain. Guests can rent custom-fit road bikes, then enjoy some R&R with the saltwater pool, yoga, spa, and farm-to-table dining. Or, simply rest in the luxe suites, complete with four-poster beds and Hermès toiletries.
Midtown | Atlanta, Georgia
As the largest city in the Southeast and the busiest airport in the world, metro Atlanta abounds with people from around the globe. For a European-inspired itinerary in the city’s Midtown walkable neighborhood, book a room at Hotel Granada, a circa-1923 apartment building that has recently been revamped as a 120-room boutique hotel.
The revamp celebrates the Spanish Colonial architecture in its interior design as well as the menus. Adjacent to the hotel, spend the day at the world-class Woodruff Arts Center, home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Art. Mona Lisa may not be in any of the galleries, but you can find her smiling atop the Louvre Sour cocktail at Brasserie Margot, a modern French restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. Pair the signature cocktail with steak frites, croque madames, foie gras, and more.
Palm Beach, Florida
With its lineup of global fashion brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Vilebrequin and its blend of Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue is reminiscent of shopping European high streets.
While the area boasts several Michelin stars and plenty of well-appointed accommodations, this year’s haute reservations may be at the iconic Vineta Hotel. Reopening this spring after an update led by Paris-based interior designer Tino Zervudachi, the century-old hotel promises to return to its full glory, evoking the feeling of the French Riviera or the Italian coastline—plus a new poolside restaurant with more Mediterranean flair.
The Kentucky Castle | Versailles, Kentucky
The Kentucky Castle (TKC) may not be as old as those in Ireland or Scotland, but the architecture—and its dramatic history—almost belies its age. Situated on 110 acres near Lexington, the site has repeatedly swapped hands and names since its construction 50-plus years ago. In 2023, a company headed by Wes Henderson, the co-founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, purchased the property for $19 million.
Today, the stone structure encompasses 18 rooms and a restaurant with food grown on the estate. And, like the castle’s counterparts abroad, there’s no shortage of whiskey. TKC serves as an elegant home base for exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including another famous fortress—the Castle & Key Distillery—just 25 minutes by car.
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