July 17, 2025, by Maartje

Holiday Dupes Vol. 2 | Skip the Crowds and Choose These Unique Destinations

Suitcase stories
July 17, 2025, by Maartje

Holiday Dupes Vol. 2 | Skip the Crowds and Choose These Unique Destinations

Of course, we're fans of Mallorca, the southern French coast, and just about any Italian spot where the sun shines and you can drink Aperols, but this summer we're going for places that haven't yet been discovered by the masses. We call it fooled. Vacation fooledA cool term that originally referred to "fake." Counterfeit. FakeNowadays a dupe Especially for the cool(er) version of the (overpriced) original. We thought it could also be applied to vacations. Read the results below.

Read here too The Best Vacation Dupes, Volume 1 

Patmos instead of Crete

Patmos instead of Crete

Okay, you have to put in a bit of effort to get to this Greek island, but that effort will be more than rewarded once you're there, promiseThe easiest way is to fly to Kos or Rhodes and hop on a boat, or take an overnight ferry from Athens. The island has a mystical vibe and has been attracting creative types for years, which translates into a wonderful selection of boutiques and galleries. Furthermore: beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and plenty of hiking opportunities for the more active.

You eat at Vaggelis en Vine. Pantelis for lunch, cocktails at To Thalami and natural wines the A! Spiropatmos for ceramics and jewelry and art at Kapopoulos Fine ArtsAnd then there are the wonderful accommodations you'll find on this island! Like this one Airbnb, this pearl or the beautiful Pagostas. And if we win the lottery, we'll book this crazy villa by interior designer John Stefanidis.

Albania instead of Italy

Albania instead of Italy

Albania

A relatively hidden gem in Europe: Albania. Go soon, before mass tourism takes hold. With idyllic beaches, rugged mountains, and historic cities, Albania offers something for every traveler. An added benefit of an undiscovered hotspot: you'll pay considerably less for your holiday and truly experience that authentic charm.

Which places in Albania are you really supposed to visit? Definitely sleep in the amazing Riverside Komani Lake, where you have a fantastic view over the lake, take the boat to Shale River, wine tasting in the area of Weight and chill on the most heavenly beaches in Ksamil. These places probably don't ring a bell right away, but after Googling these places, Albania will definitely be on your wish list.

Whatever you do, don't fall for the myth that Ksamil in Albania is the "Maldives of Europe." We read it in LINDA, ELLE, Libelle, and practically every (Dutch) publication. So we went to see it, and it was awful. Read more here.

Bornholm instead of Copenhagen

Bornholm instead of Copenhagen

We love beautiful Copenhagen, that's for sure. But Denmark has so much more to offer. Take the island of Bornholm, for example, closer to Sweden than Copenhagen, with rugged cliffs, white beaches, and lush greenery. Holidays here consist of cold dips in the sea, cycling along the coast, and hopping from one island to the next for the best views. Danish pastries.

Speaking of food: Bornholm is a foodie island. From the Michelin-starred restaurant Gift to wines with Razapaz and fresh cinnamon rolls Svaneke Brød, you can easily eat here all day long. Art lover? In God home en Swaneke There are studios and galleries full of Danish design. You can spend the night in a cozy cottage or a boutique hotel like Nordland.

Panarea instead of Sicily

Panarea instead of Sicily

Okay, okay, we can't resist: another Italian gem on this list. And what a gem! Panarea is the smallest (and most chic) of the Aeolian Islands, off the coast of Sicily. No cars, no mass tourism, just authentic white houses and a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea that you'll never tire of. It's luxurious, but in a very relaxed way. You take a boat to secluded coves, order a granita at L'Elicia Gelateria, eat the best spaghetti alle vongole at From Pina and drinks a appetizer as the sun sets behind Stromboli.

You can swim at Cala Junco, perhaps the most beautiful bay of the Aeolian archipelago. Hotel Raya to sleep and the cocktails, although this villa is also high on the list (we can already see ourselves sitting with a glass of wine and that view) or this super cute AirbnbTraveling to Panarea is done via Sicily by boat, and well, if you have to make a stopover there: these are our best tips for Sicily.

Okay, okay, Puglia is also so nice and beautiful! Read on: the Pearls of Puglia

Cadaqués instead of Barcelona

Cadaqués instead of Barcelona

High on the list: Cadaqués. No expansive white sandy beaches in this charming whitewashed village, but excellent restaurants and a lovely artsy, laid-back vibe. No wonder Dalí spent most of his life here.

We found there your (see pictures above) crazy (adults only) boutique hotel for a few days splurge with the two of us, and ever since, returning to Cadaqués has been high on our wish list. And even if you're staying elsewhere, Cadaqués is where you want to be. What to do? Definitely make a reservation at the restaurant. Sizes, where you eat seafood right by the sea. Share en Gluttony for your portion fine dining, Gritta for a pizza or pasta. Sleeping with kids (or not of course) is done if possible at the beautiful Hotel Casa Nereta or in this lovely Airbnb.

Read more about Cadaqués here

More tips