Tropical destinations you can find right in the USA - Americans aren't exactly known for traveling internationally. Many feel as though there is plenty of beauty to see in the United States and that a trip overseas is an unnecessary expense. However, people still long for gorgeous beaches, colonial architecture, and lush wilderness. Don't worry, folks! There are plenty of must-see spots in the US that will make you feel as though you've stepped on foreign lands.

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Napa Valley, CA - Are you in California or the glorious wine country in Tuscany? It's hard to tell. The rolling hills and picturesque vineyards will make you feel like you've transported straight to Italy.

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Napa Valley, CA - The European aesthetic continues with Napa's medieval architecture. This can be found at the Castello di Amorosa Winery which is a 13-century style castle with a real-life moat, drawbridge, and dungeon.

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Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO - Save your money on a trip to the Sahara Desert and take a road trip to Colorful Colorado instead. This stunning landmark boasts the tallest sand dunes in the country at over 700 ft tall.

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Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO - These sandy peaks lie between the San Juan Mountains and San Cristo Mountains. Visitors come from around the country to sand-board or sand-sled down the impressive dunes. 

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Leavenworth, WA - In 1960 this Bavarian-style village beneath the Cascade Mountains was transformed into a replica of a German village to promote winter tourism.

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Leavenworth, WA - Around Christmastime, Leavenworth becomes a winter wonderland with caroling, traditional German folk dancing, and all the bratwursts and sauerkraut you can imagine.

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Kauai, HI - While it would be easy to refer to all the Hawaiian islands as exotic, Kaui has a magic all its own. It is the least developed island with miles of naturally preserved and untamed beauty, which only adds to its charm and mystery.

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Kauai, HI - Kaui is a nature lover's dream with endless hiking trails through lush forests. A large portion of the island is not accessible by car. If you want to move away from the hustle and bustle of Oahu, Kaui may be the island getaway for you.

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Santa Fe, NM - The classic adobe architecture throughout the city has withstood the test of time. The historic main plaza leaves travelers feeling as though they have been transported back to colonial Spain.

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Santa Fe, NM - As the oldest state capital of the United States, Santa Fe is overflowing with history. The Saint Francis Cathedral built between 1869 and 1886 remains a symbol of the city's Roman Catholic past.

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Chinatown, San Francisco - Though there are Chinatowns to be found across the United States, San Francisco is perhaps the most authentic, boasting the largest Chinese community outside of Asia.

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Chinatown, San Francisco - There is a taste of Asia to be found right here at home. On every street corner, there are endless amounts of Chinese cuisine, trinkets, and architecture that you can discover.

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Solvang, CA - For those itching to experience Danish culture but don't want to venture too far from home, head over to southern California.

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Solvang, CA - Founded by Dutch teachers in 1911, this small town in the Santa Ynez Valley showcases traditional Dutch architecture and shops. They don't call Solvang "Little Denmark" for nothing.

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Key West, FL - Why book a flight to the Caribbean when you can find pristine beaches with iridescent water right in southern Florida? This chain of islands offers a Caribbean vibe without leaving the continental US.

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Key West, FL - In downtown Key West you will find an array of colorful beach houses and all the delicious seafood you could ever want. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters with a snorkel session or even rent a sailboat.

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Ashville, NC - Believe it or not, you don't need to go to Europe if you're itching to see a castle. While the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina hasn't officially been dubbed a castle or palace, it sure looks like one.

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Ashville, NC - The French chateau-style mansion spread out across an 8,000-acre estate is home to 250 rooms, including a magnificently large bowling alley and library.

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Denali National Park, AK - If you think that picture-perfect wilderness is something you can only find in Iceland or New Zealand, think again!

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Denali National Park, AK - If hiking the Himalayas is on your bucket list, then maybe consider coming to Alaska first. This park is home to the highest North American peak at 20,310 ft.

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Big Sur, CA - Take in the captivating coastline in California commonly referred to as the "American Riviera." This stretch of shoreline is the closest you will come to experiencing the Mediterranean in the US.

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Big Sur, CA - Here you will find magnificent Pacific beaches bordering the Santa Lucia Mountains with towering seaside cliffs and waterfalls.

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Saint Augustine, FL - Founded by the Spanish in 1565, this colonial city in northeast Florida city is the oldest European settlement in North America.

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Saint Augustine, FL - One of the most historic monuments in the city is The Castillo de San Marcos. This 17th-century stone fortress is the oldest existing masonry fort in the continental US.

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Vail, CO - If you've always dreamed of spending a day exploring a quaint town in the Swiss Alps, then come experience the American version in Vail Village.

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Vail, CO - This town, based on the Swiss town of Zermatt, boasts beautiful Alpine-style buildings with the Rocky Mountains as a picture-perfect backdrop.

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Olympic National Park, WA - With awe-inspiring waterfalls, lush forests, glacier-capped mountains, and rugged beaches, this natural preserve in Washington has an other-worldly beauty.

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Olympic National Park, WA -

The park's lush rain forests seem part of the set of an Indiana Jones movie rather than a real-life place you can find in North America.

Source: (Trips to Discover)

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