World's best destination dupes as travellers swap cramped hotspots for quiet towns - including 'the Maldives of Europe'

Daily Mail​

13-05-2025

Fed up of overcrowded holiday hotspots?
You might be in need of a destination dupe.
As some of the world's top destinations become ever more crowded and pricier, many people are seeking out alternatives.
Whether you want to escape the crowds in Barcelona or find somewhere even more remote than Iceland, find out where the experts recommend you travel instead...
Swap Iceland for the Faroe Islands
Iceland's tourism industry has surged over the last few years and the country even reinstated its tourist tax in 2024.
But there's an easy alternative to the Land of Fire and Ice.
If you're looking for something 'more remote, dramatic and untouched,' the experts at Travel Counsellors recommend the Faroe Islands as the 'perfect' dupe.
They say: 'The Faroe Islands remain wild and uncrowded, offering true solitude and a chance to experience nature in near-total isolation with sheer sea cliffs, emerald-green mountains and fjords that plunge straight into the Atlantic.'
Switch Barcelona for Girona
Barcelona is Spain's most visited city and recent protests have put its overtourism issues under the microscope.
If you're looking for something less crowded, Skyscanner recommends heading to nearby Girona instead.
The travel experts say: 'If a city is defined by its landmarks, green spaces, museums, cultural offerings and food experiences, then Spain's northeastern city of Girona has it in spades.'
'It's considerably cheaper and less crowded than Barcelona, which means you can splurge on lunch and dinner.'
Ditch Provence for Transylvania
If you're on the hunt for something more 'tranquil' and less crowded than Provence (left), Transylvania (right) could be a good alternative
With its spectacular landscapes and thriving wine industry, it's not hard to see why France's Provence is a leading holiday destination.
But if you're on the hunt for something more 'tranquil' and less crowded, Transylvania could be a good alternative, according to the experts at the Travel Counsellors.
The destinations 'share many common features' such as 'rolling hills, medieval villages and stunning countryside', say the experts.
They add: 'Transylvania feels much wilder, with the Carpathian Mountains offering a dramatic backdrop. [It] can be enjoyed at a fraction of the price of Provence with its medieval castles, farm-to-table meals and local wines, just to name a few.'
Scrap the Maldives for Fuerteventura
The Maldives are many people's dream honeymoon destination but the islands' pristine beaches don't tend to come cheap.
However, holidaymakers looking for a cheaper option could head to Fuerteventura, in Spain's cheerful Canary Islands instead.
The beautiful island has some spectacular beaches which have earned it the nickname 'Europe's Maldives'.
Britons can also pick up return flights to Fuerteventura for under £100 making it a great bargain choice.
Leave Machu Picchu for Ciudad Perdida
Peru's Machu Picchu is considered one of the world's greatest ancient wonders but that means it tends to be extremely crowded.
The team at Travel Counsellors say: 'Ciudad Perdida in Colombia attracts far fewer crowds than Machu Picchu in Peru because of its relative inaccessibility - it can only be reached by a trek through the jungle, which takes several days.
'However, this makes it one of the last truly remote archaeological sites in the world.
'In addition, Ciudad Perdida is much older than Machu Picchu, having been built around 800AD, at least 600 years earlier.'