These spots may feel a world away from the USA but they're actually right on its doorstep. From dinky German-style towns to cities with Spanish flair, we look at the surprising places that are closer to the States than you'd think.

Holland is a fitting name for this pretty Michigan city. You'll feel as though you've been whisked away to the Netherlands as you soak in Holland's windmills, tulips and Dutch-style architecture downtown. Dutch settlers came to this area back in the 1800s and the charming place fiercely guards this aspect of its history.

There are lots of ways to discover Holland's Dutch heritage. Windmill Island Gardens (open mid-April to early October) is the USA's answer to the Netherlands' Keukenhof. Take a snap outside the DeZwaan windmill, wander flower-filled gardens and spot sights like the Dutch carousel. Other highlights include the De Klomp Wooden Shoe and Delftware Factory which sells traditional Dutch wooden shoes and pottery.

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Fredericksburg proudly describes itself as having a Texas heart with a German soul, since it was established by German settlers in the 1840s. The city still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, with beautifully preserved German-style architecture and events such as Oktoberfest. 

The Historic District has sights such as the 19th-century Pioneer Memorial Library (pictured) and many German-style restaurants, bakeries and biergartens dotted around. Fredericksburg is also in the heart of Texas Wine Country, with wineries and the vineyards around its periphery.

Regarded as the oldest city in the United States, St Augustine has plenty to offer history buffs. The city was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and its age-old buildings offer clues to the past. Foodies will also appreciate the Spanish influence on St Augustine's culinary scene – here restaurants run the gamut from intimate tapas joints to elegant seafood spots.

Castillo de San Marcos is the city's best-known historic site. A hulking Spanish fort dating to 1695 (the oldest of its kind in the continental US), it offers visitors the chance to learn more about Spanish colonial rule during this turbulent time in history. Explore this National Monument by self-guided tour, experience living history with volunteers in period dress and watch musket or cannon demonstrations. Beyond the history, the breathtaking beach, balmy weather and narrow lanes offer an extra taste of the Mediterranean.

Touting itself as Little Sweden USA, this dinky place, tucked away in Kansas' Smoky Valley, is proud of its Scandi heritage. Swedish immigrants settled Lindsborg in the 19th century and still a sizeable percentage of its population is of Swedish descent. 

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A top attraction here is the herd of pretty Dala horses. A tradition in Sweden, Dala horses are intricately painted model horses, often given as gifts or erected as statues. In Lindsborg, brightly coloured, fibreglass horses, alongside other head-turning works of public art, can be found all over the place. The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which is principally dedicated to the Swedish-American artist, is another top stop for art-lovers. 

A curious find in the heart of the Cascades, Leavenworth offers a taste of Germany's Bavaria. In the 1960s, officials decided to give the destination a European-style makeover in a bid to attract more visitors. The plan was a success and Leavenworth's stunning mountain location, gabled roofs and German restaurants are incredibly charming.

The makeover really did go all out. German-style joints serve bratwurst and schnitzel. Then there's the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum (a museum dedicated to nutcrackers) and local breweries. The city also hosts a mammoth Oktoberfest celebration in autumn with beer gardens, dancing and music to enjoy.

If you look past the palm trees (and the multi-million dollar homes), this pocket of Los Angeles is not too dissimilar from Venice. In fact, that was exactly what developer Abbot Kinney intended when he constructed the man-made canals in homage to the Italian city. Now these beautiful waterways are protected as part of the National Register of Historic Places.

The best way to explore the area is to take a stroll along the canals, spotting mansions reflected in the water and arching bridges that could be pulled straight from a Monet painting. The district offers the perfect respite from Venice's bustling beach and boardwalk. When you've finished wandering, head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for some of the best shopping in the area.

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The USA has its fair share of beautiful ski destinations and many of them could pass for the charming towns of the Alps. One such spot is Vail, a Colorado town and ski resort set at the foot of namesake Vail Mountain. In fact, Vail's founders, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, reportedly modelled the place after destinations such as Switzerland's Zermatt.

It's said that Seibert even measured the width of Zermatt's streets so he could replicate them as closely as possible in his own skier's paradise. Today, Vail is a quaint haven for lovers of winter sports but, just like its European counterparts, it has also established itself as a year-round destination. In summer, its bucolic surroundings are ideal for hiking.

Helen in Georgia proudly touts itself as having all the charm of Bavaria, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gabled, half-timbered buildings fill the town, which has less than 550 residents and natural beauty in spades. 

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True to Bavaria itself, the town has plenty to offer lovers of the outdoors beyond its limits. There are many hiking trails through woodland and mountains, and thrill-seekers should also spend some time at Nacoochee Adventures, an adventure park with zip lines, high ropes and giant swings.

Some 45 minutes north of St Petersburg, the little-known Floridian city of Tarpon Springs is often compared to Greece. In the early 20th century, natural sponge beds were discovered in the waters around here. This led to the arrival of many Greek sponge divers and a community flourished. More than a century on, this Mediterranean influence is still tangible.

The city's principal attraction is the sponge docks. Along Dodecanese Boulevard you can find shops selling the natural sponges that brought Greek immigrants here in the first place and restaurants serving fresh Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Beyond the waterfront, the Tarpon Springs Historic District is another nice area for a stroll.

Considered a sacred destination and typically attracting thousands of pilgrims each year, Chimayó is situated some 30 miles (48km) north of Santa Fe. The town was settled by the Spanish in the 17th century and some impressive examples of the early architecture remain. The most impressive of all is the El Santuario de Chimayó (pictured), an adobe church that contains holy earth thought to have healing powers.

Chimayó is also still known for its weaving tradition, a custom which dates back to the early Spanish settlers, and shops and galleries are teeming with intricate woven goods. The famed orange-red Chimayó chilli, which is grown only here, is hung from shop porches.

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Another Bavarian bolthole, Frankenmuth is around a 1.5-hour drive north of Detroit. Established by German settlers from the Franconia region in 1845, the place is known as Michigan's Little Bavaria and it hasn't forgotten its German roots. Today Frankenmuth is packed to the gills with German-style timbered houses and Bavarian inns.

Festivals held throughout the year are a nod to Frankenmuth's German heritage. There's the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival and, of course, Oktoberfest, when the beer and bratwurst flow. There's also the annual World Expo of Beer which is Michigan’s largest beer-sampling event. But you can still celebrate the holidays year-round at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, supposedly the largest Christmas store in the world, which sells personalised painted ornaments and more.

The influence of Santa Barbara's early Spanish settlers is still alive and well in this California city, from the architecture to the traditional festivals. Take to the streets, drinking in the whitewashed buildings crowned with orange-tiled roofs, and you'll have to remind yourself that you're not in the Med. Among the city's most impressive buildings is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, with its striking clock tower and lush grounds.

Beyond this, the most famous sight of all is the Old Mission Santa Barbara (pictured), founded by Spanish Franciscans in the late 1700s. There's a museum, historic mausoleum and sacred garden here, as well as self-guided and guided tours. 

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As the name suggests, this is Miami's storied Cuban neighbourhood complete with incredible Cuban restaurants, bright street art and cool bars. The Calle Ocho stretch is the busiest part of town: here shops sell hand-rolled cigars and the rich smell of coffee wafts from traditional Cuban cafés. Look out for the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame whose plaques pay tribute to Cuban film stars, musicians and more.

Another must-visit in this neighbourhood is Máximo Gómez Park, also known as Domino Park, where mostly elderly locals gather for a coffee and a catch up over a game of dominos. Unsurprisingly there are also plenty of places to try Cuban cuisine in the area. Look out for sandwiches, traditional meat dishes and more alongside an array of Cuban-style cocktails.

Despite its location in the Santa Ynez Valley, less than an hour from Santa Barbara, Solvang is worlds away from most other Golden State destinations. Often described as a Danish village, Solvang was built up by early Danish immigrants and its half-timbered buildings, bakeries and windmills are all tributes to this heritage.

The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is a great place to learn about Solvang's history. The town also celebrates its heritage with the Danish Days festival every September. Since 1936, the event has included parades and traditional dance performances, plus Scandinavian arts, crafts, food and drink. You can feast like a Viking at the Viking Beer & Wine Garden, join a torchlight parade or even give axe-throwing a go.

A fully fledged destination in itself, The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas was of course modelled on the northern Italian city. While it doesn't have quite the history or elegance of the real thing, there's no doubting the attention to detail at this Sin City property, which has a copy of everything from St Mark’s Square to Rialto Bridge.

The top attraction here is a ride on one of the gondolas. To make you feel as if you're truly in Venice, a gondolier will whisk you down the Grand Canal, warbling a tune as they go. Unlike in Venice, the glittering lights and slots of the strip will be waiting for you once on dry land again. 

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