updated 3:00 p.m. ET May 19, 2008

Gone are the carefree days of yesteryear when strong-dollar wielding Americans indulged their Old World travel cravings at whim. Today’s would-be pond-hoppers are instead up against an evermore powerful euro that has wreaked havoc on the greenback’s value abroad, as well as rising fuel costs that have translated to sky-high transatlantic airfares. Still, these economic hurdles have done little to quell our hankerings for Europe's rich culture, history, architecture, and cuisine. Happily, there are alternative locales oozing with European flair conveniently spread across the Americas, where travelers can get a taste of Europe, without having to stomach the euro — or having to combat jet lag for that matter, with many of our picks within long-weekend striking distance.

1. Boston
One could easily argue that Boston, packed as it is with Revolutionary War sites (tea, anyone?), is the most quintessentially American city. Compared to other large U.S. cities, however, the cultural heart of New England practically flaunts its historical associations with the Old World. Founded by Puritan colonists from England in 1630, Beantown has grown into a graceful, immensely walkable city of narrow, crooked streets (many dotted by Irish pubs) — from the Italian-influenced North End to cozy Beacon Hill — with architecture encompassing Georgian, Romanesque, and Victorian styles. Saunter along the leafy banks of the Charles River as collegiate rowing crews glide by; squint a little, and you’ll swear you’re in Oxford. Geographical déjà vu may emerge again once the new wing of the city’s Museum of Fine Arts opens in 2010 (it was designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, who recently put his stamp on the British Museum in London).

2. Buenos Aires
The lively Argentinean capital is South America's answer to Paris or Barcelona, exuding European flair in everything from its leafy boulevards and grandiose architecture to Old World cuisine, while not missing a beat on the sexy Latin vibe that permeates it. The porteños (Buenos Aires’ residents) themselves boast a multinational European heritage, having largely descended from the city’s founding Spanish settlers and a successive wave of 19th-century Italian immigrants; in fact, Italian fare remains the most abundant food choice in the city. For a one-stop Paris sampler, stroll Avenida Alvear, where chic boutiques share real-estate with palatial manses, or tour the historic Avenida de Mayo, which was designed to rival Paris' Champs Elysées. If that weren't enough, almost everything the city has to offer can be had at an amazing price: Tuck into a meal with all the trimmings at an upscale restaurant for $30 or be tucked into bed at an elegant boutique hotel for $80. Take that, euro!

3. New Orleans
This spicy Southern city owes its unique flavors to a jambalaya of cultural heritages that have simmered to perfection for centuries. First and foremost, French influence abounds, resonating from the city’s original Gaulish settlers who left their mark on everything from cuisine (beignets and café au lait, anyone?) to such eponymous locales as the French Quarter, where street and business names still today recall la langue française. That said, the same area is equally marked by Spanish influences (after the city fell under Spanish rule for a brief period in the late 18th century), from romantic walled courtyards to wrought-iron balconies. Of course, African, Caribbean, and other ethnicities also added their own special ingredients to this zesty melting pot of a city, but there’s little doubt that La Nouvelle-Orléans is predominantly European at heart.

4. Paraty
Setting foot in the seaside Brazilian town of Paraty (also spelled Parati) is like stepping back in time to 17th-century Portugal. Not only are cars banned from the peaceful village's cobbled streets, but the simple, stucco buildings are almost uniformly colonial with their colorful doors and windows and softly rounded rooftops (such harmonious preservation is so rare, in fact, that UNESCO designated the entire town center a heritage site).

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Once a bustling port, thanks to the gold that was exported to Portugal from the mines of nearby Minas Gerais, Paraty was abandoned due to pirate raids in the 19th century, only to be rediscovered again in the '70s. Now, the area's history — not to mention its proximity to pristine beaches — have once again put it on the map.

5. Quebec City

Mathieu Belanger / Reuters The Chateau Frontenac is seen in Quebec City. Quebec City will celebrate its 400th anniversary of foundation in 2008.

Celebrating its 400th birthday in 2008, the first permanent French settlement in North America is celebrating its joie de vivre with a yearlong party along the St. Lawrence River. Wander the steep cobblestone streets of Old Town — the only city north of Mexico with its original city walls intact — and the sights (17th-century stone buildings with bright flower boxes), sounds (French is spoken everywhere), and smells (fresh baguettes!) will instantly transport you to France. And with all the money you’ll save by avoiding transatlantic airfare and hotel stays, you can easily splurge on all six varieties of foie gras at chef Frédéric Boulay’s sensational Le Saint-Amour restaurant. Fantastique!

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