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Fox News
09-08-2025
- Fox News
Little-known 'secondhand travel' trick helps tourists score luxury vacations for less
A little-known travel method is helping frugal tourists score luxury vacations for less. The trend, "secondhand travel," might sound unappealing, but in reality, it's all about capitalizing on already-organized plans. It involves "buying" other people's canceled trips at a discounted rate while also letting sellers recoup some of their nonrefundable costs from their vacations. That allows the buyer to score a vacation for 20%-30% off – making it a win-win for both parties. As a bonus, the "secondhand traveler" may not even need to plan anything, since the trip is often already organized. Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going, a travel company headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, told Fox News Digital the trend's name is a bit of a misnomer, since the vacation that's being resold hasn't been used. Some platforms, like Roomer, have been selling unused hotel rooms for years – but the concept of secondhand travel is new to most Americans. "I still wouldn't say they are fully known by the traveling public," she said. The most common types of resold vacations include hotels or all-inclusive stays. "And, due to the nature of them, these types of trips are best for those with flexible schedules who can leave within a week and aren't truly tied to a destination … [F]or most people, [that] can be difficult." Nastro said Transfer Travel and Sparefare are two online marketplaces to search for secondhand bookings. The most common types of resold vacations include hotels or all-inclusive stays, Nastro said, many of which just require a quick name change. "You are locked into whatever you purchase, which doesn't allow for any cost comparisons after the fact, which can help you save," she said. "The options may be limited to specific areas for when you are looking to travel, so you don't have the freedom to really choose where you are going and staying." The biggest hurdle to selling your trips is airfare – and Nastro cautioned people to be "absolutely sure" before listing on these sites. "Changing names on airfare can be difficult, and some airlines don't allow this practice outside the 24-hour window regardless," she said. "So before any flight is put onto a platform, make sure your airline will allow for changes." "Speak to multiple people at the airline before putting your flights up on one of these sites," Nastro added. But if you're thinking of using the method for your next family getaway, secondhand booking can be rather limiting. It might be preferable for single remote workers who have more flexibility in terms of dates and times, the expert advised. "The options may be limited to specific areas for when you are looking to travel, so you don't have the freedom to really choose where you are going and staying," she said. "Additionally, you are likely going to find more options near major cities, not near more remote destinations or national parks." Her big advice for bookers? Shop around these sites to ensure that the 20%-30% discounts are actually the best deal available. "For example, I shopped around a NYC hotel during the same dates advertised and was able to find a cheaper rate at the same hotel on an OTA [online travel agency] — which also gave me 24 hours to decide if I wanted to cancel," she said. "Just as if you would shop around at other hotels, shop around on other sites and with the hotel directly to ensure this rate is really worth it."
Forbes
24-07-2025
- Forbes
Get To Know These Stunning Vacation Alternatives To The Amalfi Coast
The Capo Vaticano coast. getty With startling pictures of over-tourism in Europe turning up again this summer, seeking alternative destinations to such wildly sought-after spots as the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como now seems essential for a tranquil holiday in Italy during peak travel months. 'Overcrowding has become more problematic in certain popular coastal regions of Italy as there is no room to grow,' says Joyce Falcone, owner of Italian Concierge, which specializes in custom luxury vacations in Italy. 'The Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Portofino have the same topography which is the sea on one side, and the mountains on the other,' she says. 'I was on the Amalfi Coast the first week of July this year. Daily temperatures were 38 C (100 F ). The roads were overcrowded and often traffic was stalled. The restaurants and harbors were filled, parking was a challenge, and hotels were operating at [peak] capacity in the heat.' She says her clients have been looking farther afield for summer holidays—to Puglia, often with requests for multi-generation family trips, and to islands like Sicily, Ischia, Procida, the Aeolians, and occasionally to Calabria. While the Amalfi Coast will always be a draw, Falcone says it's best to visit May to early June, or mid-September to the end of October, and to plan well in advance to obtain the room category and hotel you prefer. But if you're looking for seaside alternatives to the Amalfi Coast during high summer with a range of splendid beaches, small and large towns, excellent locavore cooking, and important cultural sites, consider these stunning and sunny coastlines in southern Italy. The Agrigento Coast The Scala dei Turchi on the Agrigento Coast. getty The glories of Ancient Greece, sandy beaches, translucent seas, and towns ranging from the obscure to the well-known are among the attractions of the Agrigento Coast, a historic stretch of seaside in southwestern Sicily. The best-known destination, Agrigento, once an important Greek city founded in the sixth century BCE, is home to the Valley of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered to have the most signifIcant Hellenic ruins in Sicily. 'The Agrigento Coast is very wild and diverse, but at the same time sophisticated,' says Alberto Ciarallo, founder of Cognoscenti Travel, specializing in high-end tours of Sicily. Since starting his company he's encouraged clients to 'venture beyond their usual plans' to visit less-discovered parts of the island, which includes the coastal areas from Palermo to Agrigento. Greek temples at Selinunte, getty For summer itineraries, Ciarallo organizes private excursions, like a visit to the Valley of Temples at night to avoid the crowds and heat and to see the historic monuments 'under the stars.' He also recommends a visit to Selinunte 'where you can enter one of the classical temples and have fantastic views of the sea.' His other recommendations include late afternoons an at insider beach club and dinner at the Michelin two-star restaurant La Madia in Licata. His top recommendation he says is to explore the coast from the sea with a private sailboat and 'to swim in the green-blue waters that are typical of this side of the island.' Capo Bianco. getty The Agrigento Coast has an impressive natural landmark that Ciarallo also recommends, the Scala dei Turchi, one of the most dramatic beach settings in Italy. Marked by a massive white limestone cliff, where surface erosions have formed striations and ledges resembling steps, this monolith was named (incorrectly) for the Saracen pirates who once used it as a perch to attack the area in the 1500s. An additional Greek-era archaeological site of note is Heraclea Minoa, with a theatre dating from the fourth century BCE. This ruin is located near the scenic Capo Bianco; both sites are about 33 kilometers from the hillside town of Sciacca, which has an active fishing port and is known for artisanal ceramics. A pool overlooking the sea at the Verdura Resort. Courtesy of Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel Hotel news: The Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel, has been a luxury presence on the Agrigento Coast since 2009. The 230-hectare seaside property just underwent a major refurbishment, a project overseen by Olga Polizzi, design director for the company. The redesign includes new restaurants (L'Osteria and Nagori), two new cocktail bars, and a piazza-style gathering spot with shops near the resort's 16th-century Saracen tower. Other amenities include two kilometers of private beach, two 18-hole golf courses. and a spa which recently introduced a longevity and wellness program. The Ostuni Coast Ostuni. getty Ostuni is a popular hilltown—for both travelers and European ex-pats—in the northern reaches of Puglia's in-demand Salento region. Here, Middle-Age settings come in stark-white splendor; you won't find somber, medieval brown tones at this destination, where building facades were covered long ago in limestone whitewash to deflect the heat. It's a perfect not-too-big, not-too-small town with well-priced shopping, restaurants offering panoramic views, churches with architectural significance, lively piazzas, and back-streets with small trattorias and artisan ateliers. Ostuni, which swells in summer from a population of 30,000, is about 8 kilometers from the sea, a divide that prevents some of the congestion you find in towns fronted by a gorgeous seaside. The Ostuni Coast, also referred to as Marina di Ostuni, has some of the best beaches in the region. Ostuni's main square, Piazza della Libertà. getty 'A good portion of Puglia is flat, relatively speaking, and has space to host beachgoers in the summer months,' says Joyce Falcone of Italian Concierge. 'The Adriatic's gentle surf and accessible coastline makes it a good choice for families.' Falcone points out that the region has a straight highway parallel to the Adriatic Coast and easy access to beaches and coves. 'Therefore, Puglia has less problems with crowding.' She recommends both Ostuni, with its 'historic pedestrian core and spiral to the top pathways,' and Otranto, south of Lecce, 'a peaceful seaside town' with outstanding Byzantine mosaics, when visiting the Salento. A coastal area near Ostuni. getty Beaches along the 20-kilometer Ostuni Coast are known for their cleanliness (there are five Blue Flag designations) and Maldive-like transparent waters with stretches of soft sand alternating with secluded bays and rocky outcroppings. Some ancient watchtowers still stand guard along the shore. Hotel news: Ostuni a Mare, a spacious seaside resort in the exclusive beach village of Rosa Marina on the Ostuni Coast, opened for the first time this year under the management of Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana, the hospitality group known for Borgo Egnazia, the luxury hotel complex and celebrity favorite that hosted G7 leaders in 2024. At the start of the season, the 202-room property debuted a refreshed hotel with 48 new suites in various categories, a modernized lobby and reception area, outdoor bar and updated beach restaurant. The four-star retreat also introduced some attractive rates: €300 for a superior double in high season (€220 in low season). An overview of the resort's three pools. Courtesy if Ostuni a Mare, Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana. There are extensive grounds planted with maritime pines and wild olive trees, and a choice of three swimming pools. The resort's white-sand Rosa Marina beach club (with Blue Flag ranking, lifeguards, loungers and umbrellas) is a short walk from the hotel, but guests can also take a trolley to get to the sea. Il Portile, a seafood-centric restaurant, lies adjacent to the beach. Back at the hotel, Il Pergolato, flanking one of the pools, has an open-air setting and a Mediterranean menu. The beach club at Ostuni a Mare. Marrio Porrovecchio, Courtesy of Ostuni a Mare, Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana Although Ostuni is a short drive away, there are various on-site activities for guests who want to stay at the resort, says Giuseppe Pace, the general manager, including painting lessons (outdoors), fabric decoration workshops, cooking classes, bike tours to the explore the area, along with Pilates and yoga classes. Excursions can also be arranged for visits to Ostuni and other towns and to the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve. Costa degli Dei The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola, a symbol of Tropea. getty Costa degli Dei, or Coast of the Gods, is an exceptionally beautiful stretch of seaside in southern Calabria that's long been popular with Italian vacationers. (The name likely comes from ancient mythology and the 'heavenly' views found along the 55-kilometer shoreline.) The area's best-known town, Tropea, with a buzzy summer atmosphere, has frequently been called the next Positano, although the two resorts are quite distinct 'Tropea is certainly gaining popularity, but there's not nearly as much international attention as for the towns of the Amalfi Coast,' says Francesco Montillo, a cookbook author and travel planner for her company, Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures, who was born in Calabria. In addition to the town's position 'hovering on cliffs above the sea,' Montillo says there's much to swoon over. 'Amazing picture-worthy spots, shopping for handmade and local products, restaurants, cafés and even some nightlife. There are little alleys to get lost in and lovely churches to visit, much like in the streets of Positano.' It's also far less expensive than the Amalfi Coast, she notes. The Capo Vaticano coastline. getty Tropea does get very busy in July and August, especially for the Ferragosto holiday (August 15). While Montillo feels Tropea is manageable in summer, she recommends Capo Vaticano, a coastal area about 20 minutes by car south of Tropea, and Scilla Marina, near the Strait of Messina, for those seeking quieter havens. Capo Vaticano has long sandy beaches, a cove-carved shoreline and transparent waters. Scilla also has a striking seaside. 'It's far smaller than Positano or Tropea, and not nearly as commercial,' says Montillo. 'One goes for the views not to shop.' Chianalea in Scilla. getty Hotels: Visitors to the area will find the most lodging options in and around Tropea. For a pampered, intimate stay (there are only 12 rooms), the five-star Villa Paola in Tropea is an option. The villa, transformed from a 16th-century convent, offers a vantage point overlooking the town and coast, especially enjoyable from one of the terraces and infinity pool. Rooms combine antique pieces with minimalist decor and locally produced terracotta-tile floors. Mediterranean Hospitality, the group that manages Villa Paola, also has a resort at Capovaticano. This large property with 123 rooms has a well-equipped beach club with a pool, three restaurants, including one by the sea, and a Thalasso Spa. Sleek modern rooms with sea views look out to the Aeolian Islands. Villa Paola in Tropea. Lisa Leone, courtesy of Mediterranean Hospitality Management & Consulting Srls
