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Forget overhyped spots, try these destination dupes, say travel experts
When OG holiday hotspots get too crowded, switch to a destination dupe. These places offer a similar vibe, and are often cheaper too
Season 3 of The White Lotus drops tomorrow. Everyone’s already flocking to Koh Samui, Thailand, where it is set, to play out their own vacay dreams. It means that hotel rates will be through the roof, the sights will be even more crowded, and the idyll you expected will be nowhere in sight.
South-East Asia has plenty of beach destinations that make for chill alternatives. But what about destination dupes for other overrun holiday hotspots? We asked in-the-know travel editors and writers Joanna Lobo, Kiran Mehta, Salil Deshpande and Ritika Basu on which locations they’d switch out and why. “Each place has its own culture, customs, history and vibe,” admits Mehta. “As long as you’re realistic about the similarities and differences, a dupe works.”
Swap Alaska for Tasmania
The island state in Australia is where to catch the Southern Lights, if you can’t make it to the US or Nordic nations for the Northern Lights. Tasmania has low levels of air pollution, Mehta says, so the skies are clear. In-the-know enthusiasts who visit often say the lights often appear brighter. Visas are relatively easier to obtain too.
Swap Copenhagen for Helsinki
Both cities are charming, but Helsinki is cheaper, smaller, less crowded. It also has great museums, historical monuments and Nordic cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, local produce (and a healthy obsession with fresh herring). “Unlike India, where the best stuff is exported, in Helsinki they actually eat the best stuff,” says Lobo.
Also, while Copenhagen is fast paced, Helsinki gets people to slow down. It’s walkable and has great public transport. Plus, it was named the world’s most sustainable travel destination in 2024 by the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index. And the thrift stores have not yet been picked clean by bargain hunters. “It’s a worthy dupe,” Lobo says.
Swap NYC for Philadelphia
Thinner crowds, fewer scammers, lower prices, a thriving art scene, an impressive skyline and a solid dose of American history. Basu recommends Philadelphia as the first stop for someone flying into the US too – flights land on time and the immigration check is quicker. While NYC has the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Philadelphia has the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Museum of the American Revolution. It also has some of the best street art in the world, in addition to the Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. And while New Yorkers catcall and pickpocket, Philly has open streets, a clear grid plan and safer neighbourhoods.
Swap the Great Barrier Reef for Belize Barrier Reef
The Australian natural treasure has been over exploited by tourism. Its fragile ecology is under threat from the climate emergency. Mehta recommends going to Belize, in Central America, to snorkel instead. Belize is said to have healthier coral reefs and diverse marine life including nurse sharks. Just try not to disturb any threatened or endemic habitats.
Swap Bali for Nusa Lembongan
A 45-minute ferry ride from Bali lies one of Indonesia’s smallest and least touristy islands. You can easily walk to the coastline and see the sights and find great spots almost everywhere. “It’s where I had the best food in Indonesia,” says Lobo, referring to the local dishes and the local respect for dietary restrictions. There are water activities such as surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving as well. Oh, and gorgeous beaches for all those photos.
Swap Kyoto for Tohoku
Tohoku, a three-hour train ride from Tokyo, is quiet and home to ancient temples, but not the constant stream of geisha-mad tourists. It also has a great season of cherry blossoms, so bloom chasers tend to go to Hirosaki Park, instead of Kyoto’s crowded Arashiyama. There are also quiet hot springs, good skiing resorts and Zen gardens, says Basu.
Swap London for Oxfordshire
OK OK, it’s not exactly the big city. But it’s certainly easier to have a good time without constantly rushing or looking over your shoulder. Stunning museums and churches, a beautiful countryside, tiny villages, open pasture and hardly any people. Rudyard Kipling, Lewis Carroll and JRR Tolkein did some of their writing here. Some parts of the Harry Potter movies were shot here. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton went on dates at Turf Tavern. “The bar scene here has a better vibe than in London,” says Lobo. It’s a university town, so it’s home to great libraries and bookstores.
Tread lightly
Be as wary of dupes as you would be of the original locations, says Deshpande. Smaller, quieter destinations often can’t handle a burst of viral fame and crumble under an onslaught of demanding visitors. “We are then back to the same conversation, looking for a dupe for a dupe.”
It’s easier, then, to stay with your original pick but go off-season. Europe in winter or autumn, Japan just before or after cherry blossom season. Everything’s cheaper, relaxed and fun – what a vacation should be.
From HT Brunch, February 15, 2025
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