New York City → Toronto, Canada

Best for: Top tier skyline, world-class arts, and diverse food scenes

Dreaming of New York City but want fewer honking taxis and more maple syrup? Toronto, Canada is the perfect non-US travel destination for those who love skyscrapers, culture, and world-class theatre. It also has overpriced coffee, endless construction, and a population that almost walks fast enough to compete with New Yorkers.

Toronto vs. New York City: What’s Similar?

• Broadway vs. Mirvish Theatre District – Toronto’s Mirvish Theatres offer top-tier Broadway shows without the Times Square chaos.
• Central Park vs. High Park – Swap NYC’s iconic green space for Toronto’s High Park, complete with cherry blossoms in spring.
• Diverse neighbourhoods – From Little Italy and Chinatown to Kensington Market, you’ll feel right at home—except the people are polite.

Why Choose Toronto over NYC?

• It’s cheaper, safer, and cleaner – No offence, New York, but Toronto generally has fewer ‘what-is-that-smell’ moments.
• CN Tower beats the Empire State Building – Okay, maybe not in fame, but in views and experience, it’s unbeatable (and taller!)
• Day trips to Niagara Falls – Just a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls is waiting to humble you with its sheer scale—alongside a suspiciously high number of souvenir shops selling plastic ponchos.

Los Angeles → Vancouver, Canada

Best for: Film industry glamour, outdoor adventures, and feeling smug about your lifestyle choices

Fancy Los Angeles but could do without the smog, soul-crushing traffic, and the constant existential crisis that is Hollywood? Welcome to Vancouver, Canada’s answer to LA—except with milder weather, a functioning public transport system, and mountains you can actually see without squinting through pollution.

Vancouver is also where half of your favourite TV shows and movies are filmed, meaning you’ll be experiencing déjà vu at an alarming rate. Walking around downtown, you’ll quickly realise that Vancouver has pretended to be New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and even futuristic dystopias in countless productions—all while being cleaner and considerably less chaotic.

Vancouver vs. Los Angeles: What’s Similar?

• Hollywood vs. Hollywood North – Vancouver’s film industry is thriving, and the city is frequently used as a stand-in for, well, everywhere.
• Beaches – LA’s beaches might be famous, but Vancouver’s come with mountain views and water that is actually clean (even if it is freezing).
• Wellness-obsessed locals – If LA’s organic everything is your thing, you’ll fit right in. Vancouverites will judge you for using a plastic straw, question your hiking habits, and insist you try kombucha—possibly all in the same conversation.

Why Choose Vancouver over LA?

• Less traffic despair – Unlike LA, Vancouver lets you get across the city without scheduling in two hours of existential dread.
• Grouse Mountain > The Hollywood Sign – You can actually do something when you get to the top rather than just stare at it. Hike up for the views, or cheat and take the gondola—no one will judge you (okay, some people will).
• Day trips to Whistler – Because if you’re going to endure a Canadian winter, you may as well do it in one of the best ski resorts on the planet—or at least sip a latte in a chalet and pretend you ski.

Miami → Panama City, Panama

Best for: Year-round sun, skyscraper views, nightlife that doesn’t require surviving Florida

With a glittering skyline that rivals South Beach and a tropical climate that ensures you’ll always be slightly sweaty, Panama City is the perfect Miami alternative—minus the Florida-brand chaos.

Not only does it have a thriving nightlife scene, but you also get a dash of history with Casco Viejo, a charming old quarter with colonial-era streets, rooftop bars, and a very high chance of encountering someone trying to sell you Panama hats (which, fun fact, are actually from Ecuador).

Panama City vs. Miami: What’s Similar?

• Skyline & luxury living – Just like Miami, Panama City is packed with high-rise condos, rooftop bars, and luxury yachts that probably belong to tax-avoiding billionaires.
• Nightlife & beach clubs – Swap Miami’s club scene for Panama City’s rooftop bars and oceanfront lounges, where the party starts late and never really ends.
• Tropical climate – Expect year-round heat, humidity that makes your hair betray you, and palm trees that look suspiciously postcard-perfect.

Why Choose Panama City over Miami?

• More affordable – Live the Miami lifestyle, minus the Miami price tag. You can still live the champagne lifestyle, but with cheaper drinks and luxury hotels that won’t require selling a kidney.
• The Panama Canal – Because watching massive ships squeeze through an engineering marvel is oddly fascinating (and something Miami definitely can’t offer).
• Easy access to paradise – Panama City is just a short hop from pristine beaches like the San Blas Islands—unlike Miami, where you’re stuck with overcrowded beaches and questionable ocean water.

New Orleans → Havana, Cuba

Best for: Live music, historic charm, and a party scene with actual culture

New Orleans is fantastic—if you enjoy humidity, drunken tourists in plastic beads, and jazz bands competing with blaring sirens at 3 a.m. But if you’re after a city with soul, music, and a nightlife scene that doesn’t revolve around regrettable daiquiri decisions, Havana is calling.

In Cuba’s capital, you get live music on every street corner, vintage cars straight out of a film set, and a culture so rich it makes Bourbon Street look like a cheap imitation. Plus, the city’s stunning Spanish colonial architecture hasn’t been completely drowned in neon lights and corporate branding—which is more than we can say for the French Quarter these days.

Havana vs. New Orleans: What’s Similar?

• Live music – Whether it’s a jazz club in NOLA or a salsa band in Havana, both cities have an electrifying music scene that takes over the streets.
• Iconic cocktails – Swap your hand grenade drink (of questionable origin) for a perfectly made mojito or daiquiri at one of Hemingway’s old haunts.
• Rich history & architecture – Like New Orleans, Havana is packed with historic buildings, grand plazas, and an old-world charm that refuses to be modernised.

Why Choose Havana over New Orleans?

• Blast from the Past – It’s like stepping into a time capsule – Havana is one of the few places where you can ride in a 1950s convertible, sip a cocktail in a centuries-old bar, and listen to live music—all in one evening.
• Beaches > The Mississippi River – Let’s be honest, you’d rather sip a drink by Havana’s Malecón with an ocean breeze than stand anywhere near the Mississippi’s murky waters.
• Dancing instead of stumbling – Havana’s salsa clubs put Bourbon Street to shame. It’s less about getting wasted and more about actually knowing how to move.

Boston → Quebec City, Canada

Best for: Old-world charm, historic architecture, and actually feeling like you’re in Europe

Boston loves to remind you that it’s one of the oldest cities in the U.S.—which is adorable, really, considering Quebec City was thriving when Boston was still a handful of Puritans yelling at each other about sin. If you want charming cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and a city where history isn’t overshadowed by sports rivalries, Quebec City is your perfect Boston alternative.

Wandering through Old Quebec feels like stepping into a historical French city—except instead of Revolutionary War reenactors shouting about freedom, you’ll find chic cafés and people who insist on speaking French, whether you like it or not.

Quebec City vs. Boston: What’s Similar?

• Colonial-era history – If you’re into historic buildings and famous battle sites, both cities deliver—except Quebec City actually still has its 17th-century fortifications.
• Cosy pubs & european streets – Boston has Beacon Hill and Union Oyster House, but Quebec City has Petit-Champlain and auberges straight out of a French novel.
• Intellectual air of superiority – Both cities are obsessed with their own significance, but Quebec City does it in two languages.

Why Choose Quebec City over Boston?

• It has an actual Château – Boston has the Fairmont Copley Plaza; Quebec City has Château Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world. You decide which sounds more impressive.
• Better bread, no contest – Sure, Boston has clam chowder, but Quebec City has proper French pastries, croissants, and enough boulangeries to make you consider emigrating.
• Festivals that don’t require a baseball hat – Boston has the Red Sox. Quebec City has the Winter Carnival, complete with an ice palace, snow sculptures, and a parade where people voluntarily drink Caribou (a warm, fortified wine cocktail).

Washington, D.C. → Mexico City

Best for: Grand architecture, world-class museums, and history that doesn’t revolve around Congress arguing

Washington, D.C. is where you go if you enjoy political drama, monuments dedicated to long-dead men, and museums where school groups roam like feral packs. If that’s your thing, fine. But if you’d rather explore a capital city with deeper history, a thriving cultural scene, and tacos that will ruin you for all other food, it’s time to book a flight to Mexico City.

Mexico City is bigger, older, and—let’s be honest—far more interesting than D.C. It’s home to ancient Aztec ruins, grand colonial palaces, world-class art museums, and a nightlife scene that doesn’t involve politicians making bad decisions on camera.

Mexico City vs. Washington, DC: What’s Similar?

• Grand architecture & historic landmarks – D.C. has the White House and Lincoln Memorial; Mexico City has the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Chapultepec Castle, and the Zócalo—one of the largest city squares in the world.
• World-class museums – The Smithsonian is impressive, sure, but Mexico City boasts the Frida Kahlo Museum, the National Museum of Anthropology, and enough art galleries to make your head spin.
• Politics & culture – Just like D.C., Mexico City dominates the national conversation—but with better murals and considerably fewer think tanks.

Why Choose Mexico City over Washington DC?

• The food scene is actually exciting – Mexico City has street tacos, gourmet restaurants, and more flavors than your palate can process.
• Ruins that make America look young – D.C.’s oldest buildings date back a couple of centuries; Mexico City has pyramids that predate the U.S. by over a thousand years.
• Parks that offer more than a jogging path – Swap the National Mall for Chapultepec Park, which is twice the size of Central Park and comes with a castle, museums, lakes, and zero risk of running into a protest march.

Hawaii → St. Lucia

Best for: Tropical paradise vibes, volcanic beaches, and avoiding crowds of American honeymooners

Hawaii is stunning—if you don’t mind overcrowded beaches, overpriced everything, and the nagging feeling that you’ve accidentally stumbled into a tourist brochure. But if you’re after a tropical getaway that feels exclusive rather than overrun, St. Lucia delivers all the natural beauty without the American price tag (or the queue for a poke bowl).

With jungle-covered volcanic peaks, postcard-perfect beaches, and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is Hawaii minus the hassle. And unlike Maui or Waikiki, you won’t have to fight through rental car traffic jams just to reach a scenic overlook.

St. Lucia vs. Hawaii: What’s Similar?

• Volcanic landscapes – Like the Big Island, St. Lucia is home to dormant volcanoes, dramatic cliffs, and thermal springs—except you’re not sharing them with a hundred other tourists.
• Unreal beaches – Hawaii’s beaches are famous, sure. But St. Lucia’s black sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and secluded coves offer a more peaceful, and somewhat less Instagrammed experience.
• Adventure & luxury – Whether you want to hike the Pitons, sail along the coast, or lounge in a five-star resort, St. Lucia gives you the best of both worlds

Why Choose St. Lucia over Hawaii?

• Luxury for less – In St. Lucia, your beachfront villa won’t cost the same as a small mortgage.
• Less cruise ships – Unlike Honolulu, you won’t be dodging hordes of tourists fresh off a cruise ship.
• Better rum – Sure, Hawaii has Mai Tais. But St. Lucia’s rum punch is stronger, cheaper, and will still be on your mind weeks after you return home.

Napa Valley → Okanagan Valley, Canada

Best for: Great wine, stunning vineyard views, and avoiding the Napa crowd that ‘just got into wine‘

Napa Valley—where wine tasting comes with an inflated price tag, long reservation waitlists, and an air of smug exclusivity. If you’d rather enjoy exceptional wine without needing to prove your worth to a sommelier, Okanagan Valley is your answer.

Located in British Columbia, this underrated wine region offers award-winning vineyards, lakefront scenery, and a tasting experience that won’t require remortgaging your house. Plus, unlike Napa, you’ll find actual locals who drink the wine—not just influencers faking an appreciation for tannins.

Okanagan vs. Napa: What’s Similar?

• Wine production – Okanagan is home to dozens of wineries, producing everything from robust reds to crisp, refreshing whites.
• Gorgeous vineyard views – Like Napa, Okanagan’s wineries sit among rolling hills with postcard-perfect landscapes that make your glass taste even better.
• Foodie scene – While Napa has its Michelin stars, Okanagan boasts farm-to-table restaurants and local markets that will make your taste buds weep with joy.

Why Choose Okanagan over Napa?

• Wine tasting without the ego – Okanagan wineries offer affordable tastings, and — gasp — some even let you in without a reservation.
• Scenic drives without traffic – In Okanagan, you get stunning lake views instead of an endless queue of Teslas battling for parking.
• More than just wine – When you need a break from swirling and sniffing, Okanagan offers lakeside hikes, paddleboarding, and even skiing in winter.