Travel the World in the United States

By Victor Block

Erik and Ingrid Olson were excited to be exploring their family's Norwegian heritage. They were visiting a late-19th-century village and checking out log homes, a Lutheran church, a one-room schoolhouse and other traditional structures. A museum added to their immersion in local lore with collections of documents, history books and artifacts.

What made the Olsons' journey into their Norwegian roots especially convenient is that they were able to do so without leaving the United States. They were spending time in unusually named Thief River Falls, Minnesota, at the Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village.

That attraction -- and town -- are among sites throughout the country that offer authentic experiences echoing those around the world. If you're longing to get the feel and enjoy the food, festivities and other attractions of another country and culture, it might be easier than you think. Several places in the United States offer the look and feel of the Old World and other destinations.

Thief River Falls got its name from an Ojibwe phrase for "secret-earth river" that was mistranslated by French traders as "stealing river." More than half of its residents are of Norwegian descent, making it one of the most ethnically concentrated towns in the United States. Each year they celebrate their legacy during a Norwegian Heritage Week festival.

Strong hints of another Scandinavian country greet visitors to Solvang, California. It was founded in 1911 by immigrants from Denmark, and their homeland is reflected in thatch-roofed half-timbered buildings, windmills, flower-lined streets and stores that offer traditional goods. Bakeries sell delectable treats with Nordic roots, such as aebleskiver -- sphere-shaped snacks made from fried batter.

Speaking of windmills, there are more than 1,000 of those unique structures in the Netherlands and one in Holland, Michigan. The DeZwaan, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States, overlooks 36 acres of gardens, dikes and canals. Its name is Dutch for swan or graceful bird.

The town of Holland hosts the annual Tulip Time Festival, when millions of those flowers are in bloom. A parade, carnival and Dutch dancers high-kicking in wooden shoes add to the excitement. Shops and vendors sell traditional snack treats that would be at home in Amsterdam.

Mention of flavorsome food often conjures up thoughts of France, where fine cuisine has long been considered an art form. While much of the New World was colonized by the English, Louisiana became French territory in 1682. The French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans was the original walled city, and the district has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The French Creole dialect spoken by many people adds to the feeling of being in Paris.

Austria is another European country that has been high on many a traveler's bucket list since "The Sound of Music" motion picture introduced Americans to its towering Alps range. After the first winter snowfall, the soaring peaks and lowland pastures they overlook resemble a Christmas-card scene. Mount Rainier in Washington state dwarfs Austria's highest summit and is snow-capped throughout the year. In spring and summer a blanket of colorful wildflowers emerges, much like that in the Alps.

The Alps extend to Bavaria in Germany. Their stunning landscapes, along with historic sites, captivating castles and beer are among reasons that make it the most-visited state in that country. German immigrants who established Frankenmuth, Michigan, in 1845 brought with them many of their traditions that include architecture, cultural touches and food. Restaurants serve sauerbraten, spaetzle and other familiar favorites. The town also hosts the annual Expo of Beer, which offers 200 to 400 tap beverages and donates all proceeds of the event to charity.

Germany, France, Italy and several other continental countries have regions that produce some of the best wines in the world. Their sun-drenched countrysides are dotted with sprawling vineyards that add to the beauty of the settings, and California's famed Napa Valley resembles those European landscapes. The valley floor is one of the world's premier wine destinations, with vast expanses of fields planted with grape vines, chateau wineries and wine-tasting rooms. The beauty of the vineyards is matched by the Technicolor extravaganza of flower gardens.

That applies, as well, to traditional Japanese gardens, which are inspired by ancient art and designed to avoid artificial ornamentation and highlight the natural landscape. Visitors to the collection of such gardens in Seattle, Washington, which has strong cultural links to Japan, could easily imagine themselves transported to that country.

The Japanese Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum showcases painstakingly created miniature scenery, and a winding road leads visitors to a variety of lovely viewpoints. The Kubota Garden, an enclave of hills and valleys, streams and waterfalls, combines authentic Japanese concepts with Northwest species. Visitors enter the tranquil Yao Garden at the Bellevue Botanical Garden through a traditional Japanese gate established to recognize the sister-city relationship between Bellevue and Yao.

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WHEN YOU GO

visittrf.com

solvangusa.com

cityofholland.com

neworleans.com

nps.gov/mora

frankenmuth.org

visitnapavalley.com

visitseattle.org

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Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.