32 College Towns That Feel Like a European Vacation Without Leaving the U.S.

29. Winter Park, Florida – Mediterranean Elegance Near Orlando

Just outside Orlando, Winter Park offers a surprisingly sophisticated European ambiance, centered around Rollins College. The college itself boasts beautiful Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, setting the tone for the town. Stroll along tree-lined Park Avenue, known for its upscale boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafés reminiscent of Italian or French resort towns. Enjoy scenic boat tours through the chain of pristine lakes, admire the Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, and soak in the relaxed, cultured atmosphere that feels worlds away from theme parks, offering a taste of refined Mediterranean lakeside living.