Why I no longer believe European travel is superior to American travel

Hey guys, I’ve been traveling for years and have been to most European countries and many US states. At 30, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing a lot of the world’s best cities, nature, and food scenes. <br><br>For a while, I was obsessed with European travel. I believed that no matter how much I explored the US, I could never find the charm, history, and culture that Europe had to offer. The older I get and the more I travel the US, the more I’m starting to realize this assumption has been greatly exaggerated. <br><br>I know a lot of people here are stubborn about this issue and can be very passionate about it, so I’ll just share my perspective as an American that has traveled extensively throughout both continents. <br><br>Why you should travel within the US: <br><br>•Much more diverse geography - the US has almost every geography imaginable. Beaches, mountains, active volcanoes, islands, swamps, etc. From the natural wonders listed above, to the coastlines, lakes, forests, and desert landscapes - the US is home to some of the world’s most incredible earth formations. <br><br>•Much more diverse food - contrary to the common assumption that American food is trash, I’ve had some of the world’s best food within the US. We have amazing Mexican food by way of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. We have amazing Italian food in New York City, Chicago, and Boston. We have incredible BBQ throughout the country, Southern fried chicken and comfort food, probably the world’s best burgers, amazing Tex-Mex, and of course, LA is home to a massive Asian food scene. I mean, I’ve had amazing Asian food in Paris and London, but I don’t think either city’s Asian food is as diverse or better than what you can find in the US. <br><br>•Much more diverse people - the US is a melting pot of different cultures. You can walk into a McDonald’s and hear people speaking multiple different languages, probably more so than any other country. <br><br>•Much more laid back and welcoming people - I don’t want to generalize an entire continent, but I’ve found that, on average, people are more chill and friendly within the US than they are in Europe. I’ve had amazing experiences with people in Europe, but I do think the average European is more closed off to outsiders, and is definitely less patient and more quick to judge. In the US, it’s not uncommon for complete strangers to randomly strike up conversations with us, ask us where we’re from, tell us about our local city, and offer us recommendations. I think you get a lot more of that treatment within the US than you do in most European cities. 2 months ago, I was on a road trip in Montana, and an older man approached me at the gas pump and randomly gave me a map of the state he had created himself, with handwritten recommendations for the ten best breweries in the state. He gave it to me and said, “Oh I’m heading back home. None of these places are near me and I don’t drink anymore, so you might as well have it.” That was a very sweet and ten minute conversation I had with someone I had never met. You don’t get that type of treatment from strangers overseas, and certainly not at gas stations. <br><br>•Much more safe - European cities are definitely a lot safer now than they are used to be, however I still feel much safer walking European streets at night than I do walking around US cities. I’ve been mugged by knife point twice in Paris, and once in Barcelona, but I’m not sure I’d ever do night walking in cities like Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Baltimore, where there’s shootings and muggings happening on a daily basis. In the US, it’s also much easier to accidentally walk into rougher neighborhoods, and a lot of cities have highways that run through the center. None of this is the case for most of Europe and certainly not European capitals. <br><br>•Much more adaptable to English - by and large, most Europeans speak perfect English. This makes it very easy for us to get around, navigate European cities, and receive excellent service at restaurants and hotels. Most people in the service industry speak English and there’s usually always an English option for everything. However, for those of us who don’t speak a second language, this is a huge plus for safety, ease of travel, and overall experience. <br><br>Why I still love European travel and why you should still go, especially as an American: <br><br>•Much more history - no matter how much you explore the US, you can’t really appreciate how new our country and cities are until you see European buildings, castles, and fortresses that are thousands of years old. Paris is a great example - the Eiffel Tower aside, Paris is home to buildings like Notre Dam that are over 800 years old, which is 600 years before Columbus even discovered the US. To be able to walk the streets, visit the cafes, and hang out where history was unfolding thousands of years ago is truly something special. <br><br>•Much more density and walkability - European cities are much more condensed and walkable than US cities. You can walk to entire districts within a short walk, it’s much easier to get around without a car, and public transportation is much simpler to understand and navigate. I also find the streets of European cities are much more vibrant and fun to explore. I don’t know a single US city where you can walk entire districts without a car, and public transportation is much more complicated and inefficient. <br><br>•Much more youthful and vibrant - generally speaking, the average age of people in European cities is much younger than it is in the US. I don’t know a single European capital that doesn’t have multiple universities and nightclubs, and many European cities are definitely more lively past 10PM. <br><br>•Much more fun to get lost - European cities are much easier to get lost in, and it’s ten times more fun to explore because of how unique and intimate the streets are. They’re much better for photography, and there’s always so much to see. <br><br>•Much more unique - every European city has its own unique vibe and culture, which is something you won’t find as easily in the US. They’re all so different from each other, and European cities really have a magic to them. European cities are also so much more historical and cultured, with thousands of years of art, music, and architecture that shaped the world. From the cathedrals in Italy, to the museums in Paris, to the opera houses in Vienna, to the monasteries in Greece, it’s an experience unlike any other. <br><br>Anyways, I’m not saying the US is now superior to Europe. I’m just saying I don’t think European travel is as superior to American travel as everyone makes it out to be. The US is an incredibly unique, diverse, beautiful, and underrated country to travel in and I think that Americans should definitely explore their own country before always prioritizing Europe. <br><br>Feel free to share your own perspective!