Nothing is more envy-inducing than listening to a friend rattle off the list of cities they visited on a whirlwind Eurotrip, especially when your own chances of touring the continent are slim. Sure, you could go to Vegas for the gladiator getups and replica Eiffel Tower, but sauntering up and down the Strip will never feel like the real deal. Planning a trip to Athens, Florence, and Vienna might, though, even if you’re not in Europe at all.
All across the United States are namesake cities that deserve to be destinations in their own right. So put your passport away, gas up for a road trip, and reimagine the classic European itinerary right here in your own backyard. Eurail pass not required.