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With its almost fairytale castles cut from a Disney movie and stone cities that have barely seen the ravages of time, it’s no wonder Europe is on the radar of (almost) every American.
But between the growing crowds and rising prices, we wonder if this is the best time to visit the Old Continent… Luckily for Americans, they don’t have 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 flight if you live in a northern state.
There are in Canada 4 historic cities with stunning architecture that provides the perfect alternative to a crowded Europe this autumn:
Victoria, B.C
Although British Columbia is best known for its vibrant cosmopolitan center Vancouver, its capital and main cultural center is in fact Victoria, a city that settled in the midst of early European exploration of the west coast, a city that, as its name implies, is a tribute to the Gilded Age.
It is home to an abundance of colonial monuments that largely avoided destruction during Canada’s development boom of the 20th century. In any case, it seems somewhat out of place on a continent where modernism has the upper hand over tradition.
We are talking about a late baroque, Renaissance Parliament Building which rivals that of London in beauty, a neo-Gothic Christ Church Cathedral, reminiscent 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 to enjoy the declining 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 taking a haunted haunted walking tour from $15.79? More information 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 most culturally important cities in the country.
With a skyline dominated by stately palaces, such as the Center block with Gothic influencesthe main building on Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General, and a fairytale Château Laurier, could easily hear it across the pond.
In addition to its architectural grandeur, the unusual Canadian capital is famous for its extensive canals, especially the monumental Rideau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously operating canal system in North America.
Whether from land or water, Ottawa has no shortage of beautiful sights to offer, and this too Amphibious bus tour––a bus that converts into a boat––visits all the major sights, from the wide boulevards to the busy waterways, and costs just $33.24 to book.
Sherbrooke, QC
More of a hidden gem of Canada, tucked away in southern Quebec, a short 40 minute drive from VermontSherbrooke is the textbook definition of a fairytale town, existing in an entirely different realm than that of Toronto, Vancouver and the like:
For starters, you’re unlikely to see clusters of skyscrapers dominating the skyline; Instead, imagine pedestrianized streets lined with informal cafes and art galleries, neo-Gothic churches, and legendary Art Deco buildings that preceded the modernist takeover in North America.
Some of the landmarks in quaint, storybook Sherbrooke that could easily belong on the Old Continent include the stained glass-adorned St. George’s Anglican Church, the Town Hall, a striking Art Deco ensemble from the 1930sand the Italianate courthouse, which was built as early as 1862.
Oh, and remember that Quebec is French-speaking, so you may want to brush up on your French skills, however spotty, to get acquainted with the best Quebecois hospitality – visiting a local restaurant, simple sentences such as Bonjour! And Thanks! And je prends la poutine s’il vout plaît go a long way.
Québec City, QC
We’ve saved the best for last, and perhaps the most European-looking city of all on this side of the pond: If Sherbrooke is just cute, we’ve certainly saved words like “grand” and “magnificent” to describe the capital of the French-speaking province.
Welcome to Quebec City, one of only two cities on the New Continent still surrounded by 17th-century city walls – the other is San Francisco de Campeche in Mexico – and a perfectly preserved French colonial settlement:
We’re talking about a cobbled Old Town, where winding streets lead to charm places flanked by French patisseries and lively bistros, Normandy-style houses – reminiscent of northern France – and of course the Upper Town’s most striking monument, Canadian icon Château Frontenac.
And you know, if you swap overtoured Paris for… here it goes, a wonderfulQuebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make sure you book this guided walk immediately local not to miss all the most beautiful corners of the city – from only $25.77!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
