(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Midwesterners who want to experience Europe without paying for an overseas plane ticket have a surprising number of options, according to travel expert Mark Wolters, thanks to so-called "travel dupes."
Travel dupes are lower-cost destinations that provide the same experience as the real, more expensive thing — and Wolters, of the Wolters World travel YouTube page, said travelers can soak up European culture in multiple Midwest cities.
“New Glarus, Wis., for their little Switzerland vibe; or Holland, Mich., for the Dutch-ness of the Netherlands; or Pella, Iowa, if you want to go a bit farther,” he said.
He told the WBBM Noon Business Hour that the most European city in North America is in Canada.
“Well I tell everybody, the most European in the entire western hemisphere is Quebec City,” he said.
Quebec City is five hours from Chicago by plane.
“When you go there, whether you go to the lower city — which really takes you back to 1800s France — or if you go a little higher, you have such a fantastic experience,” he said. “The food is straight out of France … It’s a little bit farther to go, but [it’s] well worth it.”
Those who are willing to fly can also visit the Greek island vibe found in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
“I know Greektown in Chicago has got some great restaurants, but really, you head down to Tarpon Springs, it’s really like you’re back in Athens having the original food,” Wolters said. “You’re sitting outside, in Greek-like weather, all year-round, versus, you know, Chicago’s not quite Greek-like weather all the time.”
Hear more travel tips during Travel Tuesdays on the WBBM Noon Business Hour.
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