• After riding the rails around the world, I was eager to try Japan's bullet trains.
• My trip from Osaka to Tokyo was smooth and comfy, but I felt motion sickness for the first time.
• I couldn't enjoy the scenery, but the efficiency of travel made it worth the downsides.

I love traveling by train because doing so often offers me a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

So, on a recent trip to Japan, I was excited to book a journey on the country's famous Shinkansen, a bullet train that can reach top speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour. My one-way ticket was about $81.

Although I felt a bit sick during my two-and-a-half-hour trip from Osaka to Tokyo, I would jump at the chance to ride the Shinkansen again. Here's why.

Japan's train system is famously reliable.

Japan's extensive train network is renowned for its on-time performance. It's one of the most punctual train systems worldwide, with an average delay of just a few seconds.

Punctuality was important during my trip as I had planned a very packed schedule for my 10 days in Japan.

Whereas I would be nervous about scheduling a longer Amtrak train ride here in the US — where delays can be somewhat common — I had no such concerns in booking my 500-kilometer (311-mile) Shinkansen journey.

The atmosphere on the train was very peaceful.

While boarding our train car, I was struck by how tranquil it felt.

There were no loud phone calls, no seat-kicking toddlers — just the sounds of hushed talking and some scraping noises as we placed our carry-ons above our seats.

It felt very different from the experiences I've had on American trains, which are generally much noisier.

Each train car had designated spots for storing larger luggage, although these must be reserved in advance.

To avoid the hassle of hauling our larger luggage onto the train, my family chose to just bring onboard our small carry-on bags.

We used a luggage delivery service to transport our larger suitcases from our hotel in Osaka to our destination in Tokyo. This allowed us to have an easy, hassle-free travel experience.

If we'd wanted to bring our large bags, we would've had to reserve our car's oversized-luggage spot ahead of time.

I enjoyed the legroom, which far exceeds what I've had while flying economy.

I was surprised by how roomy the seats were, especially because I didn't pay to upgrade to the more luxurious first-class train car.

My tween son even opted to keep his carry-on bag at his feet (instead of in the overhead storage area) and said he didn't feel cramped.

Many travelers (including me) brought prepackaged bento boxes on board.

Stores in the train station in Osaka were selling a large selection of bento boxes that travelers could enjoy during the journey.

I chose a beef option that effectively curbed my hunger. However, as the train sped up, I began to feel some motion sickness that left me unable to finish my meal.

I was disappointed by the views and found the train's motion to be too fast to enjoy the scenery.

Before my trip, I had read lots of tips for seeing Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast the day I traveled, limiting visibility.

My attempts at looking out the window only exasperated my already growing motion sickness. The scenery whizzed by at breakneck speeds, making it hard to take in what I was seeing.

I didn't feel like I was missing much though, as most of what I did see looked rather industrial.

The efficiency with which I arrived in Tokyo negated the downsides of traveling via bullet train.

This was not the most scenic train ride I've ever enjoyed, but the speed with which I arrived in Tokyo was unmatched. Taking a bus or car from Osaka to Tokyo would've taken around three times longer than this train ride.

However, this trip marked the first time I experienced motion sickness. I was sensitive to the high speeds and had trouble enjoying the views — which are normally my favorite part of a train journey — as the scenery whizzed by too fast.

Even so, my trip was comfortable, smooth, and relatively affordable.

I still prefer more leisurely rides, but I'd love to travel this way again, though maybe I'd pack something to help me deal with motion sickness.

• My family loves the ferry system in Washington, thanks to its affordable pricing and stunning views.
• Recently, we took a budget-friendly ferry ride from Olympic National Park to Whidbey Island.
• Wildlife sightings during the $21 car-ferry ride were better than ones on our whale-watching tour.

Washington is one of my family's favorite travel destinations.

We've visited the state several times, and we keep returning to explore more of its beauty. On each visit, we include a ferry journey to see scenic barrier islands in Puget Sound.

Here's why we love these ferry-based expeditions — and why a recent one to Whidbey Island really blew us away.

Over the years, my family has enjoyed stunning vistas from Washington's ferries.

When my son was younger, we used rides on Washington's ferries as sightseeing excursions.

On a clear day, the ferry between Seattle and Bainbridge Island offers unmatched views of the city's skyline.

Its price tag — about $10 per adult, kids are free — also makes it much more affordable than seeing the city on a land-based tour.

On a recent visit to Olympic National Park, we took a ferry to an island with great views and access to outdoor adventures.

Now that my son is a tween, he loves more active adventures.

While planning a recent hiking trip through Washington's Olympic Peninsula, we decided nearby Whidbey Island would be the perfect place to extend our stay and enjoy even more sightseeing and other outdoor activities.

To get there from Olympic National Park, we would take a ferry that allowed us to take our rental car with us.

The ferry ride from Olympic National Park to Whidbey Island only cost us $21.

To get from the park to Whidbey Island, we took the ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville.

I booked the ferry passage online for my three-person family and our rental car and was pleasantly surprised to see that our one-way trip was only $21.

Driving onto the ferry was a smooth, well-organized process that only took a few minutes.

Once parked on the ferry, we weren't confined to our car.

Once our car was all set, we headed up to the ship's deck area.

The ferry's great indoor and outdoor sightseeing options allowed us to view birds, seals, and other wildlife. We also enjoyed watching Washington's rugged landscape pass us by.

The ship also had a small snack shop, where my son purchased chips and a sports drink.

We had a great time once we docked, too.

After about 30 minutes, we docked at Whidbey Island, which also proved to be a great spot for sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

First, we explored downtown Coupeville's cute boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

From the town pier, we spotted even more seals swimming close to shore. At one point, we passed a printed guide showcasing whales in the region next to a bell to ring if any were spotted.

After eating some fresh seafood, we drove about 30 minutes to Deception Pass State Park.

While on the island, we continued to immerse ourselves in nature.

The island's picturesque state park also offered ample wildlife viewing opportunities.

At Deception Pass State Park, our one-day parking pass was only $10. My family had lots of time to explore, birdwatch, hike, paddle, and soak up the scenery.

Lastly, we did a pricey whale-watching tour that paled in comparison to our affordable ferry ride.

Wildlife sightings on land or a ferry are never guaranteed, so I'd also booked us a $300 whale-watching tour.

Our tour was on the "mainland," so we drove up the bridge on the north end of Whidbey Island to get to the boat. It took us to San Juan Islands, an archipelago known for its orca-watching opportunities.

Unfortunately, we only saw one orca during our four-hour excursion.

It was beautiful, but the whale's distance from us, combined with the numerous other tour boats in the area all vying for a prime viewing position, made the experience feel crowded and sort of artificial.

After this tour, I realized we preferred the more natural and spontaneous feeling of encountering wildlife during our ferry ride.

We actually saw more animals from the ferry than we did on the tour. Even if we hadn't, we would've still gotten to enjoy beautiful scenery as we sailed through Washington.

Spotting animals in the wild can be unpredictable, so I'd rather take my chances on a laid-back, inexpensive ferry instead of pricey excursions where tourists compete for the best views.

• I planned a girls' trip from the US to Montréal so we could enjoy European vibes at a lower cost.
• Flights from Orlando to Montréal are short, and the US dollar goes pretty far in Canada right now.
• We loved the city's scenery and vibrant art scene, which made it feel like a worthy dupe for Paris.

Cobblestone streets, adorable bistros, scenic river cruises, impressive basilicas, and artsy enclaves — this isn't France, it's Montréal in Canada.

Recently, I planned a girls' weekend trip to the charming French-Canadian city, which some visitors have nicknamed the "Paris of North America."

We really felt like we were in Europe, and best of all, our getaway was budget-friendly, thanks to inexpensive, quick flights and the favorable US-to-Canada currency-exchange rate.

Here's why Montréal is my new go-to spot for an international vacation, especially when I'm craving a more affordable alternative to Paris.

Montréal was fairly easy to get to from Florida on a budget.

One of the best parts of this trip was that our flight costs could be quite low, and we didn't have to spend much time traveling.

This time, I booked a Breeze Airways flight from my home in Orlando to Plattsburgh, New York, which is just south of Quebec, for $135 round trip (or about $68 each way).

From there, we took a car (we paid about $160 to rent one for three days) and drove about 90 minutes into Montréal.

I also could've flown directly from Orlando to Montréal on discount carriers, such as Breeze and Allegiant Air, or a major airline like Air Canada. I've seen one-way flights as low as $80 and round-trip ones under $200.

Either way, travel costs felt like a great deal. I've seen similar flights to Paris cost five times as much, and it would take me at least four hours longer to fly there instead of Montréal.

Old Montréal's stunning architecture feels European and begs to be explored.

Despite being just a three-hour flight from Orlando, Montréal's delightful cobblestone streets and European-style buildings felt worlds away from Florida's modern cityscapes and sandy beaches.

Because it's fairly walkable, the city was easy to explore on foot — and its architecture made the experience feel enchanting.

The city's café culture is huge, and the food scene is top-notch.

Adding to the charm is the café culture found here, with outdoor bistros serving up everything from decadent French cuisine to casual Canadian classics like poutine.

Plus, Montréal has some excellent bites. It was even dubbed one of the best food cities in the world in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.

We indulged in a luxurious wellness experience and shopped at local boutiques.

We enjoyed shopping at the many local boutiques in town, where our money went further than it would've in Paris. The US dollar goes far in Canada right now — $1 US is worth more than $1.40 in Canada.

This made the many shopping opportunities even more appealing, and it also helped us feel comfortable splurging a bit on a few experiences.

One of our highlights was the soothing hydrotherapy experience at the floating Bota Bota, a historic river ferry that's been converted into an upscale spa.

We loved our cruise along the St. Lawrence River.

It might not be on the Seine, but a river cruise along the St. Lawrence River was a great way to see the city.

Although nothing tops floating past the Eiffel Tower, we loved seeing many of Montréal's own unique landmarks, including the tallest observation Ferris wheel in Canada.

Getting around town was easy, as the city has a Metro system.

In addition to wandering the charming streets on foot and cruising past scenic sights along the river, we had access to the city's extensive Metro transit system.

It has many French influences, and I especially liked its easily identifiable signs that matched the iconic ones seen throughout Paris.

Montréal has its own Notre-Dame, complete with a nighttime light show.

Europe is renowned for its majestic churches, but don't sleep on Montréal's Notre-Dame, which is stunning inside and out.

Featuring striking Gothic Revival-style architecture, the Basilica hosts a nightly light show that uses projection mapping to bring the interior to brilliant life.

Its beauty certainly rivals the Notre-Dame in Paris.

Plus, the city has a wealth of museums, gardens, festivals, and more.

My friends and I spent hours getting lost in the breathtaking Montréal Botanical Garden, located next to the Olympic Stadium that hosted the 1976 Summer Games.

We enjoyed several other local exhibits but still barely scratched the surface of the city's many cultural and artistic offerings.

I think this chic, cultured city is an amazing destination "dupe" for Paris.

The Canadian city reminded me of Paris in many ways and I liked that I could visit at a much easier-to-swallow cost.

So, although few things can top a trip to the "City of Light," I'd return to Montréal's charming streets whenever I crave the allure of Europe at a more approachable price point.

• I'm a frequent cruiser who's been on over 50 voyages, and I never book balcony rooms on ships.
• Most balconies fit two people, so my family of three can't even comfortably sit on them together. 
• Balcony rooms also tend to be expensive, and I'd rather spend money on other amenities.

When my son was a toddler, he climbed on a chair and tossed a TV remote off of our hotel room's balcony. It happened so quickly that I didn't have time to stop the remote from falling 10 stories into the bushes — even though I was inches away from him.

Thankfully, I was able to grab my kid and lock the balcony door before he did any real damage, but at that moment, I swore off booking rooms with balconies at hotels and on cruises for good.

Now, I've been on more than 50 cruises, and my son has grown into a responsible, risk-averse tween. But after staying in a wide variety of room types, I've felt no desire to give balcony rooms another try for a host of reasons, most of which aren't safety-related.

Balconies aren't nearly as idyllic as I imagined

When my son was little, I dreamed of tucking him in for a nap and slipping out to my cruise cabin's balcony to read a good book and enjoy the fresh air. However, there were problems with this plan. 

For starters, his bed was right next to the balcony door on many cruises, making it all but impossible to slip in and out of the room without waking him. Also, I had no way of hearing him call for me when I was on the balcony with the door shut.

As he grew older, I still found cruise balconies to be impractical, but for different reasons. They generally only have enough room and seating for two, meaning my family of three was unable to comfortably sit on the balcony together. 

When my husband and I had the room to ourselves, the ship's movement meant it was often too windy to spend time in our outside space. Every time we opened the balcony door, it created a wind tunnel in our stateroom that sent objects flying through the air.

Sometimes, our neighbors smoked cigarettes or talked loudly from their adjacent balconies, interrupting what would've otherwise been a peaceful, private experience.

Many cruisers prefer to explore the ship rather than sit on a private balcony

Throughout my decades of cruising, I've noticed that many of my fellow passengers don't seem to use their balconies to the fullest, either. Many people prefer to be out of their rooms enjoying onboard amenities or lounging by the pool, leaving their balconies mostly empty.

On a somewhat recent voyage aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, I paid close attention to the ship's rooms with interior balconies. They face inward, making it easy to peep at how often passengers use them.

I saw people briefly step out on them before leaving their rooms to explore, but for the majority of my seven nights on the ship, these balconies appeared eerily vacant. Although they offered perfect views of onboard entertainment, I hardly saw anyone spending time on them. 

However, I did see passengers use the interior balconies to hang-dry wet towels and swimsuits. That certainly seems practical, but it hardly seemed like a worthy use of this costly space.

Of course, I was only observing the interior balconies, and cruisers with ocean-facing balconies might use their outdoor spaces more frequently.

Balcony rooms are usually some of the priciest on the ship

Though pricing for balcony rooms varies between cruises, they're almost always one of the more expensive cabins on a cruise.

On some ships, booking a balcony room can cost hundreds of dollars more than the base-level accommodations, and I can think of a lot of ways I'd rather spend money on vacation.

I understand the appeal of balconies and love the views they offer. However, I can usually get the same views for less money by booking a porthole room. Plus, I've found I look out of the portholes more often than I ever stepped onto my balconies.

This story was originally published on April 3, 2023, and most recently updated on January 8, 2025.

• I recently got the Capital One Venture X card, which comes with a hefty annual fee.
• It has great travel benefits, but I've had mixed experiences with my complimentary Priority Pass.
• I haven't been able to use many airport lounges with it, but it and the card are still a good value.

After years of seeing Capital One's catchy "What's in your wallet?" commercials, I finally looked into its credit cards.

As a frequent flyer, I found its Venture X card to be the most appealing option due to its variety of travel perks, but I hesitated to apply for it because of its fairly high annual fee of $395.

I finally gave it a shot when I realized it comes with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which usually costs a few hundred dollars.

At the time of writing, I've had this card for just over a month and have used it for two vacations, with more scheduled in the weeks to come.

Here are my initial reactions to the benefits — particularly the Priority Pass membership, which felt so desirable it convinced me to get the card in the first place.

The Capital One Venture X card won me over with its cash-back and travel perks

By signing up for the Capital One Venture X card, I immediately got a lot of perks, including a $300 annual travel credit and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit.

These benefits alone help defray the $395 annual fee, and the card also comes with:

• 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on all other purchases

I also got an initial bonus of 75,000 miles after I spent $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of owning the card.

For my family, the card's biggest draw is the aforementioned complimentary Priority Pass membership, which provides unlimited access for me and two guests to select airport lounges worldwide.

My family of three spends a lot of time in airports, and waiting in a lounge is far more appealing than vying for crowded seating close to the gate.

The Priority Pass membership gets me access to many lounges, but there are limitations

Once I got my Priority Pass membership, I used its easy-to-navigate app to see which lounges I could access.

I was delighted to find my pass got me into lounges in all three terminals at my home airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO).

However, I learned most airline-specific lounges, such as the Delta Sky Club, don't accept Priority Pass.

I was also surprised by the lack of Priority Pass lounge options in some larger cities with major international travel hubs — I found no lounge options when I had layovers at Salt Lake City International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Los Angeles International Airport doesn't have lounges guests can access with Priority Pass, either.

I also realized that even if lounges are available, they may not be close enough to my flight to be worth visiting.

For example, while I was flying out of Montréal, the only lounge I could use was in a terminal quite far from the one my plane was departing from.

Still, over 1,700 lounges around the globe do accept Priority Pass. I'm hopeful I'll be able to take advantage of my membership as I visit more airports.

Despite its drawbacks, Priority Pass is still a good solution for my lounge-loving family

On my recent trips, I've struggled to find available lounges outside of my home airport. However, I still think Priority Pass is great for my family.

Having access to airport lounges in Orlando, our home base, is a great perk on its own, as I've previously paid as much as $50 per person per visit for this benefit. Now, we all get into the lounge for free.

I enjoy having comfortable seating, ample charge ports, and a quiet place to relax before boarding a plane. My son loves stocking up on the complimentary lounge snacks, which saves me from having to buy him pricey — and generally mediocre — airport food.

Knowing there's a comfy airport lounge waiting for me at MCO the next time I travel helps make my journey feel almost as fun as the destination.

Plus, with my Capital One Venture X card, I also earn travel rewards for every dollar I spend. Although I've only had my card for a few weeks, I've already racked up miles I can redeem for future flights.

• There are still things I hate about cruises, even after more than 50 sailings.
• Cruises can require lots of planning and limited port time, which kills spontaneity.
• Loyalty programs can make it hard for those of us without status to make reservations.

After more than 50 sailings, it's clear that I love cruises and keep coming back for more.

However, even as a cruise enthusiast, there are still some things that drive me nuts about this form of travel.

From pricey upcharges for specialty dining to limited port time, here are my top gripes with modern cruising.

Trying to get poolside lounge chairs and seats at crowded events can feel like an Olympic sport.

Although it's understandable that cruises are limited by space and can only provide so much seating in each venue, the lack of chairs in many ships' most popular areas continues to be a source of frustration for me.

On every cruise I've been on, you've got to get up pretty early in the morning if you want a deck chair by the pool.

Passengers stake their claim on loungers with towels and personal items — often before sunrise — meaning that if you snooze, you lose your opportunity to soak up the sun.

Finding a seat can also prove challenging at popular onboard events, like trivia, where I've often seen participants resort to sitting on the floor.

Planning is often required if you want to make the most of your trip.

Gaining access to other in-demand cruise activities can be an equally daunting task.

Although I enjoy the Broadway-style shows found on most modern cruise ships, these incredible performances naturally draw big crowds.

To manage them, many cruises require travelers to reserve their seats weeks before a ship departs — if you miss the booking window, you could be out of luck. I've found spots can fill up quickly for popular shows.

A similar process is common for specialty dining venues at sea. In many cases, coveted extra-cost eateries have run out of reservations long before I boarded the ship.

Whenever I did snag a sought-after reservation, I hated having to plan the rest of my day around one meal.

On cruises, I prefer a more laid-back spontaneity, and having to book things so far in advance spoils my sense of freedom.

Loyalty programs can create a system of "haves" and "have-nots."

One way to secure early access to the popular bookings I mentioned above is to earn status.

Major lines have loyalty programs that reward repeat cruisers with perks, including the ability to book offerings earlier than other travelers.

Unfortunately, this can create an unbalanced system and make it tough to want to experiment with different cruise lines.

Even as a seasoned cruiser, I don't have amazing loyalty perks with most lines because I've sailed with so many different ones.

My highest status level is with Disney Cruise Line, so I tend to book its ships whenever possible so I can have a leg up in securing my top choice of port adventures, dining options, and more.

I'd love to branch out and try other cruise lines, but the barrier to entry for a first-timer can be steep.

Cruises offer limited time in each port, which can make some experiences feel rushed.

There's nothing I love more than leisurely days spent soaking up the culture of the place I'm visiting.

From sipping coffee and people-watching at a café to wandering through a town center, I adore taking in a destination's simple pleasures as much as its major tourist attractions.

However, this type of unhurried exploration is rarely possible on a cruise. When I set off to explore a port, I know I must be back on the ship at a certain time. That deadline looms over my head throughout my visit.

Time is of the essence when you're only docked for a few hours, and I feel pressured to make the most of my limited sightseeing time.

Although this frenetic pace is not my ideal way to see a new city, I've learned to embrace it somewhat and treat my cruise stops as a sampler — a highlight reel of what that locale has to offer.

This helps me determine which cities I want to come back to in the future to explore more thoroughly.

• After years of budget flights with bare-bones amenities, I'm increasingly springing for upgrades
• I often take my tween with me — but when we travel he now expects lounge access and premium seats.
• As a parent, I'm trying hard to keep him grounded with transparency about prices and gratitude.

After boarding a plane on a recent trip, the flight attendant greeted us over the intercom with some humorous words: "Welcome aboard Spirit Airlines. And to those of you who swore you'd never fly us again, welcome back!"

I laughed. My tween son, however, groaned. He'd been disappointed ever since I told him we'd be flying with the budget airline.

And I get it — the flight attendant's statement was an accurate assessment of my feelings about Spirit, which I've sworn off numerous times only to be lured back by attractive pricing and convenient schedule options.

But, like my son, I would much rather be in seats with ample legroom and in-flight amenities.

After decades of scrimping on the journey and instead splurging on the destination, I've found myself upgrading my travel experience and prioritizing comfort more than ever.

These days, I'll pay for lounge access at the airport and invest in premium seating — and, as my frequent travel companion, my 11-year-old is reaping the benefits as well.

But I'm noticing my tween protesting and moaning on the occasions when I choose not to spend extra for these luxuries.

Sometimes I worry that I'm spoiling him too much by exposing him to fancy upsells at such a young age, but I'm also working hard to keep him grounded.

I'm teaching him what upgrades cost and how to balance upscale and affordable experiences

The first time I took my son into an airport lounge, he was hooked.

Chugging down mocktails and loading his pockets with gummy bears, he declared that he never wanted to be stuck sitting on a stiff bench in the dusty terminal ever again. And who could blame him?

Soon, I found myself shopping for credit cards with pricey annual fees that included lounge access, but I stopped short of signing up for any.

Instead, I sat my son down and showed him the costs associated with the lounge lifestyle. Seeing how this figure impacted our overall vacation budget really helped put things in perspective for both of us.

Now when we splurge on lounge visits, we offset the added vacation cost by doing less expensive activities, like hiking, at our destination. Or we save this experience for trips with especially long layovers.

Handling upgrades this way shows my tween that indulging can be great, as long it's done in moderation.

Exploring the world is important to me, but I want my son to understand his privilege

This year, my family took our longest flight yet from Florida to Japan.

Craving comfort for this journey, I splurged for United Premium Plus, which offers recliner-style chairs, bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, and premium dining options.

It was well worth the $300 per person I paid for the upgrade, and it made a noticeable difference in our enjoyment during travel.

After this upgraded experience, it's no surprise that my son is having a hard time going back to flights on budget airlines.

But having the ability to travel at all is a privilege, and I've worked hard to make sure that my son understands that our lifestyle, even when flying economy, is a luxury.

Traveling is important to me, and by exploring the world, my tween is exposed to a wide variety of cultures and sees firsthand a vast disparity of living conditions. This provides additional opportunities for us to discuss — and for him to reflect on — his fortunate circumstances.

I want our family vacations to be relaxing and fun for everyone, including my tween

Hearing my son request lounge access or premium seats feels entitled, but I do think everyone's preferences should be taken into consideration when planning a family vacation.

For me, choosing to pay more for flight upgrades my tween will enjoy is no different from when I splurged on pricey trips to Disney parks when he was little. And because these upsells benefit me, too, I'm even more inclined to agree to them.

I think it's only natural that as my son grows up, his travel wants and needs will continue to evolve. The bigger he gets — and the smaller airline seats become — it makes sense that physical comfort is something that's top of mind for him.

Ultimately, as a parent, I want vacations to feel relaxing.

If travel upgrades leave my family feeling well-rested and ready for adventure when we land, then investing in them is just as valuable as the excursions we book at our destination.

So, even if traveling in style is spoiling my tween, I'll continue to upgrade us whenever it's within our budget.

• I recently traveled to three American towns that seem to mimic the alpine style of Bavaria.
• Frankenmuth, Michigan, and Helen, Georgia, had some beautiful architecture and views.
• Having visited Germany several times, only Leavenworth, Washington, felt like the real deal to me.

In the past year, I spent time in three of America's most popular Bavarian-inspired towns: Frankenmuth, Michigan; Helen, Georgia; and Leavenworth, Washington.

Each offered me a fun chance to stroll an alpine village in the US without needing a passport.

I loved exploring these European-style towns, but as someone who's visited Germany several times, only one made me truly feel like I was back at Oktoberfest.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, offered wintery vibes but lacked an alpine landscape.

I grew up in Michigan and visited the delightful German-inspired town of Frankenmuth several times in my youth.

After not visiting in years, I went back last December and found that the city is still very darling with Bavarian-style architecture and a glockenspiel that signals the time regularly.

It snowed during my visit, and the light dusting of white atop seasonal holiday décor greatly enhanced my feelings of being in Europe.

Unfortunately, the area doesn't have mountains, which made it feel a bit less immersive.

The town is home to the "World's Largest Christmas Store," which is worth a visit any time of year.

Christmas ornaments may have originated in Germany, but Frankenmuth has a lot to offer for those looking to deck their halls this holiday season.

The town's Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is more than 7 acres and calls itself the "World's Largest Christmas Store." It has thousands of items for sale in its endless rows of ornaments and décor.

Helen, Georgia, has a backdrop of rolling hills and pleasant year-round climate.

Northern Georgia is home to the alpine town Helen.

Here, I found a hillier landscape that better evoked feelings of Bavaria. The town's cobblestone streets and beer halls made this an enchanting getaway spot.

Helen's relatively warm year-round weather drew me there in early spring. I enjoyed beautiful, sunny weather that was more appealing than what's found in more northern towns like Frankenmuth at that time.

With daytime highs topping 70 degrees Fahrenheit during my stay, Helen is also much warmer than Munich in April.

It's close to wineries and outdoor adventures, which enhanced my stay.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen offers a variety of outdoor adventures ranging from waterfall hikes to tubing.

The area is also home to many wineries, which made it a great option for my annual girls' trip.

Leavenworth, Washington, felt bigger than I expected, and its theming was on point.

Breathtaking mountain scenery — check.

Charming Bavarian-inspired buildings — check.

German eateries slinging up hefty liters of beers — check.

When it comes to enjoying authentic year-round Oktoberfest vibes in the US, there's nowhere that beats the charm and European-style beauty of Leavenworth.

Set in the Cascade Mountains, the town offers a rugged landscape just begging to be explored.

I visited in summer, when hiking and careening along the town's alpine coaster was on the agenda — but the region also offers great skiing in the winter.

Even though Leavenworth is technically smaller than Helen and Frankenmuth by square miles, it felt the largest to me because of its many offerings.

Plus, the heart of the downtown area is free from vehicle traffic, making it very walkable.

Of the villages I visited, Leavenworth is the only one that made me feel like I was in Europe.

I fell in love with this adorable town as I walked its pedestrian-friendly streets, passing a statue of a lederhosen-clad bear and restaurants filled with cheerful accordion music.

I really feel like Leavenworth transported me back to my past visits to Bavaria.

My husband and I enjoyed skipping between beer gardens and munching on giant pretzels — just like we did on our honeymoon in Munich.