Looking for Something Different? Try These Destination Dupes

Rabbie
Posted on 4 Jul 2024

The thing about working in travel is... we get to go deeper. It’s our job to travel, to explore, to discover. Not a bad life, hey? So, when it comes to finding the must-visit locations, we like to take the time and think a little deeper. Of course, we love the classics. Rome. Paris. London. Tokyo. Sydney. New York. Edinburgh. You name it. But the thing about this world is... there are endless places to discover. This is what we love about our job – that we could keep finding new places until the end of time. We truly believe that. 

New places. New stories. New people to meet.  

And in our travels and explorations, we’ve come across some spectacular places. Some big, others small. Some bold, others unassuming. And that got us thinking... what if you want to travel but want to avoid those really big, bold, popular places? Perhaps because you’ve already been there. Perhaps you don’t like big crowds or very expensive destinations.  

Popular is popular for a reason, but we’re here to spark your curiosity and share some surprising places with you that might be great alternatives to these beloved places. 

Coming up in this blog:

• Aveiro, Portugal
• Matera, Italy
• Polignano a Mare, Italy
• The La Rioja region of Spain
• Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle, Ireland

Love the canals of Venice but looking for something quieter? 
Try the canals of Aveiro, Portugal 

Aveiro is affectionately known as the ‘Venice of Portugal’ and as you wander its quaint, bubbling canals, taking in the colourful moliceiro boats, the shade of a palm tree dancing over your skin as you savour the sweet delicacy of your Ovos Moles de Aveiro, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped onto a movie set.  

Visit Aveiro on the 3-day Porto, Aveiro & Passionate Portugal tour from Lisbon.

Love the rock formations of Cappadocia but looking for something undiscovered? 
Try the Sassi of Matera, Italy 

The surreal beauty of Cappadocia has been described as ‘unique’ and ‘otherworldly’... but that secret has long been revealed. And lately we’ve been obsessed with magic of a different kind... the ancient city of Matera. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it’s no wonder it’s drawing attention. Explore the UNESCO ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone ravines, known as Sassi, and the labyrinth of alleyways packed with restaurants and shops and smiling faces. 

Visit Matera on the 6-day Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy from Rome.

Love the bustling seaside city of Dubrovnik but looking for something a bit quainter? 
Try the Polignano a Mare, Italy 

Dubrovnik is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, filled with rich history and breathtaking architecture, and we absolutely love it there. But wandering the cobbled, white-washed streets of Polignano a Mare in the south of Italy, we quickly realised how special this place was. If you’re looking for something a bit slower and quieter, but with the same striking beauty and history dating back to prehistoric times, you can wander the streets of this beautiful town. Pop into the shops, grab a delectable bite to eat, or even go swimming in the caves under the cliffs at the charming beach. 

Visit Polignano a Mare on our 6-day Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy tour from Rome.  

Love the flavours of a good Chianti from Tuscany but looking to try a new vintage? 
Try the La Rioja region of Spain 

The Ebro River passes gracefully through the La Rioja region, a vital source of water for the surrounding vineyards of this stunning landscape. Framed by mountain ranges and rolling hills, the Mediterranean climate combined with the variety of soil types makes for the perfect greenhouse for La Rioja wines. Whether you’re keen to try the plum and tobacco flavours of Rioja Reserva or the cherry and oak flavours of Rioja Crianza, oenophiles will certainly discover new favourites. 

Visit La Rioja and Haro on our 4-day Bold & Beautiful: La Rioja & the Basque Country tour from Madrid.

Love the gelatos of Italy but can’t seem to get enough? 
Try the Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle, Ireland 

Sean and Kieran Murphy. The two names you should know so you can thank for the introduction of Murphy's Ice Cream to Ireland. Back in 2000, they opened their first shop in Dingle with the goal of making the best ice cream in the world. Today, their ice cream is beloved by many who visit Dingle, Dublin, Killarney, Galway, and Cork.

It might have something to do with the milk used from the rare, indigenous breed of Kerry cow... not to mention their great team and delectable flavours, such as Arán Donn, or ‘Irish Brown Bread’. Supplied by the breadmakers at McCambridge’s, Murphy’s pops the bread into the oven with muscovado sugar for 8 hours to caramelise, only then is it ready for their iconic ice cream. 

Visit Murphy's Ice Cream on our 5-day Escape to the South West tour from Dublin.

So, how about it? Curious to see what else is out there waiting for you? Perhaps you’ll discover something you’d never expected. Visit places and meet people and see things that none of your friends ever have. And perhaps this will spark a curiosity in you to find your own destination dupes – just make sure to share them with us!