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Destination Dupes Are The Travel Trend You Need To Know For 2024
Why not swap Santorini for Paros, Lisbon for Palermo, or London for Liverpool?
Affordable alternatives flood TikTok feeds, where there are 5.9 billion views for #dupe, and they've especially taken the beauty industry by storm, with everything from the perfect make-up dupes to wallet-friendly alternatives to the Dyson Airwrap.
Now, the trend is coming to the world of travel thanks to Expedia's top travel trend for 2024, which will see holidaymakers opting to jet off to slightly more unexpected – often more affordable – destinations across the globe. For example, if you’re planning a romantic escape in 2024, you might want to check out the gorgeous Greek island of Paros rather than heading to a better known (often overcrowded) spot like Santorini. If there’s a city break on the cards, the destination dupes trend encourages branching out somewhere like the capital of Sicily, Palermo, instead of European hotspot Lisbon, or switching up London for the vibrant charm of Liverpool.
And for those venturing further afield, there are some great long-haul destination dupes to consider too. People are heading to Perth instead of Sydney to discover a less familiar part of Australia, or to Taipei instead of Seoul for an adventurous journey to Taiwan.
Expedia has reported a notable uptick in searches for destination dupes over the part year, with huge increases in flight searches for these lesser-known spots. In the interest of getting in on the action before they become overrun with tourists, here are 10 of the best dupes to book now.
Paros – destination dupe for Santorini
A hidden gem of the Aegean, Paros is a place of beautiful, secluded bays and the most delicious seafood. It’s also gained a reputation for being one of the friendliest of the Greek islands.
Perth – destination dupe for Sydney
Perth is the largest city in Western Australia, but its vibrant street art scene and abundance of creative restaurants give it a village feel. It also combines soft sandy beaches with pretty parks.
Palermo – destination dupe for Lisbon
In the inspiration stakes, you can’t beat Sicily’s capital, Palermo. Dramatic scenery provides a beautiful backdrop for a heady mix of grand design and irresistible grittiness.
Liverpool – destination dupe for London
Everyone loves London, but don’t overlook Liverpool in the north west of England. Famously, this is the hometown of The Beatles, and the cultural legacy is alive and well in the city today.
Curaçao – destination dupe for St. Martin
This Dutch Caribbean island is known for its blissful beaches and expansive coral reefs that teem with marine life, but also for the beautifully bold architecture in its capital, Willemstad.
Quebec City – destination dupe for Geneva
Set your sights further afield than Switzerland and head for Quebec City in Canada, full of cobbled streets and architectural masterpieces (the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Memphis – destination dupe for Nashville
The beat of blues music on Beale Street, the sweet scent of smoky pork ribs, the lure of fascinating history: Memphis has got it all for an authentic trip through American history.
Taipei – destination dupe for Seoul
Friendly and vibrant, the capital city of Taiwan blends Chinese culture with Japanese, American and Southeast Asian influences, luring travellers with a kaleidoscope of cultural intrigue.
Sapporo – destination dupe for Zermatt
Sapporo is located in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. With ski slopes, neon nightlife and a thriving food scene, it’s a popular winter destination.
Pattaya – destination dupe for Bangkok
Just 150km southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya was historically known as a city for nightlife, but there’s a rapidly growing family-friendly scene in this beautiful city and its nearby beaches.
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