With its fairytale castles that look almost cropped out of a Disney film and stone-built cities that have barely seen the passing of time, it’s no wonder Europe is on the radar of (nearly) every American out there.
However, between the surging crowds and rising prices, we’re wondering whether now’s the best time to visit the Old Continent… lucky for Americans, they don’t need to cross an entire ocean to soak up all that culture: sometimes, all it takes is a (much shorter) 2-hour flight…
Or even a short border run away if you live in a Northerly state.
Over in Canada, there are 4 historical cities with stunning architecture that are the perfect alternative to a jam-packed Europe this fall:
Victoria, BC
Though British Columbia is best known for the bustling cosmopolitan hub that is Vancouver, its capital and main cultural center is, in fact, Victoria, a city settled amid the early European exploration of the West Coast, one that, as the name indicates, pays homage to the Gilded Age.
It is home to a plethora of colonial landmarks that have largely avoided destruction during Canada’s development boom of the 20th century. If anything, it looks somewhat out of place on a continent where modernism prevailed over tradition.
We’re talking a late Baroque, Renaissance-Revival Parliament Building that rivals London’s in beauty, a Neo-Gothic Christ Church Cathedral, evocative of Europe’s greatest medieval triumphs, and a Craigdarroch Castle, probably the epitome of Scottish baronial architecture.
All in all, Victoria is a great destination for basking in the waning glory of the former British Empire, and what better way to step back in time, and immerse yourself in the city’s rich History than by going on a spooky, Ghostly Walking Tour from $15.79? Learn more here.
Ottawa
We’re not sure who needs to hear this in 2024, but Toronto isn’t the capital of Canada: instead, it’s Ottawa, near Montreal that lays claim to the title, and despite only being founded in 1826, it is one of the country’s most culturally-significant cities.
With a skyline dominated by stately palaces, such as the Gothic-influenced Centre Block, the main building on Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, official residence of the governor general, and a fairytale-like Château Laurier, it could easily belong across the pond instead.
Besides the architectural mightiness, the offbeat Canadian capital is famous for its extensive canals, particularly the landmark Rideau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest-continuously operated canal system in North America.
Whether it’s landside or from the water, Ottawa has no shortage of beautiful sights to offer, and this Amphibious Bus Tour––a bus that converts into a boat––visits all of the major points of interest, from the wide avenues to the busy waterways, costing only $33.24 to book.
Sherbrooke, QC
More of a hidden gem of Canada, tucked away in southern Quebec, a short 40-minute drive from Vermont, Sherbrooke is the textbook definition of a fairytale town, existing in a different realm altogether than that of Toronto, Vancouver and the like:
For starters, you’re unlikely to see clusters upon clusters of skyscrapers dominating the skyline; instead, picture pedestrianized streets lined by casual cafes and art galleries, Gothic Revival churches, and storied Art Deco buildings that precede the modernist takeover in North America.
Some of the landmark monuments in quaint, storybook-like Sherbrooke that could easily belong in the Old Continent include the stained-glass decorated St. George’s Anglican Church, the City Hall, a striking 1930s Art Deco ensemble, and the Italianite-style courthouse, built as early as 1862.
Oh, and bear in mind, Quebec is French-speaking, so you might want to brush up on your French skills, however lacking, to be met with the best of Québécois hospitality––visiting any local restaurant, simple sentences like Bonjour! and Merci! and je prends la poutine s’il vout plaît go a long way.
Quebec City, QC
We’ve saved the best for last, and arguably the most European-looking city of all on this side of the pond: if Sherbrooke is like, just cute, we’ve definitely been saving words like ‘grand’ and ‘magnificent’ to describe the French-speaking province’s capital.
Welcome to Quebec City, one of only two cities in the New Continent that are still surrounded by 17th-century city walls––the other one being San Francisco de Campeche in Mexico––and a perfectly-preserved French colonial settlement:
We’re talking a cobblestone-laden Old Town, where winding streets lead to charming places flanked by French patisseries and lively bistros, Norman-style houses––evocative of Northern France––and of course, the Upper Town’s most striking monument, Canadian icon Château Frontenac.
And, you know, if you’re swapping overtouristed Paris with… here it comes, a magnifique, UNESCO-listed Quebec City, make sure you book this guided walking tour with a local to not miss all of the prettiest corners of town––starting from only $25.77!
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