THERE are few things worse than booking a holiday only to arrive at your destination and find that it’s completely overcrowded.
However, there are ways in which you can avoid places that have become far too touristy – including researching “dupe” destinations.
GettyGreek islands are popular holiday hotspots but some have fewer tourists than others[/caption]
A “dupe” is a duplicate and is basically a place that will offer a very similar experience to the one you’re hoping to visit, without the need to battle other tourists for space on the beach, or at attractions.
What’s more, because they’re lesser-known places, they’re often quite a bit cheaper to visit as well.
Data put together by holiday company Expedia revealed which places travellers are eyeing up beyond the most popular destinations in order to discover great alternatives.
To inspire you on your own search for dupes, they’ve put together the top five destination dupes which are less crowded and lesser-known alternatives to overcrowded and overpriced vacation spots.
Expedia insists they are “just as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations you might have been to before”.
Paros (dupe for Santorini)
The island of Paros in Greece has been referred to as “the new Mykonos” and doubles up well for island hotspots like Santorini.
Others have pointed out that your money will go much further than it would on other more popular Greek islands.
Paros is sandwiched right between Mykonos and Santorini, and is arguably as beautiful as the pair.
Travellers can get there by plane from Athens, which takes 45 minutes, along with a one-hour flight from Mykonos or a two-hour flight from Santorini.
AlamyParos is a quieter and more affordable destination than Mykonos and Santorini[/caption]
Perth (dupe for Sydney)
For most people taking a trip down under, Sydney is top of the list, but Expedia insists that Perth is just as good.
The city has year-round warm weather and has been nicknamed “the sunniest capital in Western Australia“.
Although it doesn’t have the harbour bridge or the opera house, Perth does have its own highlights, including the Swan River, the Perth Bell Tower and its own harbour, Elizabeth Quay.
It’s also home to the oldest tree in the world, which can be found in its 400-hectare botanical garden, Kings Park.
GettyExpedia recommends visiting Perth in Australia instead of going to Sydney[/caption]
Liverpool (dupe for London)
Although it’s possible to have a cheap weekend in London, your money will go much further in Liverpool, with plenty to discover.
Its rich musical heritage can be explored in the Beatles museum, while the Royal Albert Dock is home to places like the Tate Liverpool and other heritage sites.
It has amazing bars and is a perfect city to visit for sports tourists, with Liverpool and Everton two of the most famous football clubs in the UK.
AlamyA trip to Liverpool could be just as enjoyable as a visit to London[/caption]
Palermo (dupe for Lisbon)
The Portuguese capital is loved for its food, its seaside location and its history, but all of that and more is on offer in Sicily’s Palermo.
Buildings like the Cattedrale di Palermo share architectural similarities to Portugal, with Moorish, neoclassical and Arab Norman influences.
It’s also well known for its food, with street food tours among the best-rated things to do in the city.
What’s more, beaches like Spiaggia di Mondello have beautiful turquoise waters and stretches of white sand, making it a perfect seaside getaway.
GettyPalermo has similar architecture to Lisbon but has fewer visitors[/caption]
Curaçao (dupe for St Martin)
The North East Caribbean island of St Martin is popular for beaches like Mullet Bay and Tintamarre, meaning it attracts a lot of visitors.
Instead, Expedia recommend a trip to Curaçao, just off the coast of Venezuela.
Not only does it have some amazing beaches of its own, its harbour is home to beautifully coloured buildings, many of which are restaurants and bars.
Kleine Knip beach won a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award earlier this year, with people online describing it as “absolute paradise”.
AFPCuracao’s beaches are just as nice as St Martin’s according to Expedia[/caption]
Meanwhile, this UK city also doubles up as New York and other American places in films.
And this UK town has also been compared to a Greek island.
GettyPalermo in Italy is one of the travel company’s top five dupe destinations[/caption]