Destination dupes are this summers hottest low-budget vacation hack, travel experts say heres how it works
If you can’t go with the flow, go with the faux.Rather than breaking the bank, visiting voguish vacation locations, a staggering 63% of pennywise sightseers are taking cost-friendly trips to “destination dupes.”“With travel prices soaring, many Americans are rethinking how and where they vacation,” explained study authors for CouponFollow, a discount travel hub, in a recent report. “Instead of chasing the usual bucket-list destinations, they’re turning to designation dupes,” said the experts, “affordable alternative locations that deliver similar charm without the hefty price tag or large crowds.”Insiders surveyed 1,000 U.S.adults, ranging in age from 18 to over 55.
The poll revealed that frugal folks have saved an average of $2,262, exploring less popular lands, like Liverpool and Croatia, as reasonable substitutes to haute hotspots such as London and Italy, respectively. So long, Lake Cuomo, hello Schitt’s Creek. The money-saving movement is picking up steam among travel enthusiasts worldwide, as chichi cities like Venice have started hitting tourists with entry fees, and residents in Barcelona have begun attacking outsiders. So, to avoid the drama and the trauma, tightwads are doing the dupes. The top knockoff spot of 2025 is the Azores.It’s a group of volcanic islands belonging to Portugal that’s become the next best thing to a costly escape to Hawaii, per CouponFollow. Taking the second-place slot for the best second-rate stay is Liverpool, England.
Rather than blowing big bucks to visit London, jet-setters can soak in Liverpool’s similarly rich cultural scene, historic landmarks and vibrant nightlife. Third in the ranking is Croatia as a make-do swap for Italy.The humble country reportedly offers stunning coastlines, historic architecture and Mediterranean charm with fewer crowds and more cash-conscious accommodations — which is of utmost importance to globetrotters. “The biggest factor driving this trend was affor...