Go Here Instead: 10 Alternatives to Popular Travel Destinations

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time to set some new travel goals. If we learned anything from our most recent Year in Travel report, it’s that Aussies like what they like. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s also so much more in the world to see, do and experience.

To help you expand your horizons, we’ve rounded up 10 alternative travel destinations for some of your most-loved locales. The search for your next vacation spot starts now.

• Instead of Cancún, Mexico... relax in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Instead of London, England... roam around Paris, France
• Instead of Fiji... travel to Phuket, Thailand
• Instead of Singapore... journey to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Instead of Melbourne, Australia... spend time in Wellington, New Zealand
• Instead of Mauritius, East Africa... go on a trip to Bali
• Instead of Vancouver, BC... visit Seattle, WA
• Instead of Auckland, New Zealand... head over to Sydney, Australia
• Instead of New York City, NY... check out Chicago, IL
• Instead of Johannesburg, South Africa... make your way to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Of all the destination dupes listed in this blog post, Cancún and Punta Cana probably have the most similarities. They’re both known for their glorious weather, white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and all-inclusive hotels. 

So, why should you go to the Dominican Republic instead of Mexico? For starters, Punta Cana is more affordable and less crowded. Cancún has been almost entirely developed for tourism (its “Hotel Zone”, for example, is packed with big-name resorts, shopping malls, restaurants, bars and nightclubs). Punta Cana, on the other hand, has been developed with quiet luxury in mind; its resorts are smaller and more intimate, and its beaches are more secluded. The plane ticket will cost you more, but it’s relatively cheap once you’re on the island.

The Dominican Republic is also home to some pretty incredible golf courses. If you’re interested in swapping party time for tee time, this is the perfect place for your next vacation.

Another Cancún destination dupe: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Why not trade one capital city for another? If you love going to London, England for the fascinating history, iconic landmarks, world-famous museums, unique neighbourhoods and amazing shopping, then Paris, France is the destination dupe for you!

London has Big Ben, the Thames and 32 distinct boroughs to explore; Paris has the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and 17 amazing arrondissements to stay in. London has Buckingham Palace, the Tate Modern and Regent Street; Paris has the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées. And as an added bonus, each destination has an easy-access Metro system to help you get around. Sure, London has more pints of beer than glasses of wine… but that’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make.

Tourists also have the option of visiting both of these cities in a single trip. All you need to do is book a less-than-three-hour Eurostar train ride to get from one to the other.

Other London destination dupes: Edinburgh, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland (each is a capital city, btw)

Fiji and Thailand may seem as if they’re a world apart, and to be fair, they kind of are — there are 9,224km between these two destinations. But you’d never really know it from looks alone, as both islands are surrounded by Kool-Aid-blue waters and screensaver-worthy shores.

Depending on where you decide to stay in Phuket, it’s pretty easy to have the exact same type of laidback vacation as you would in Fiji. That said, there are a lot more things to do in Phuket — so it’s a great dupe if you want to change up your holiday routine (while still getting some beach time). Visit an elephant sanctuary or gibbon rehabilitation centre, scuba dive or snorkel with tropical fish in the Andaman Sea, explore ancient temples and national museums, and feast on delicious Thai cuisine. 

It’s hard to compare any place to Singapore, but Kuala Lumpur comes pretty close! Each city is a popular stopover destination in Asia and has a lot to offer — particularly when it comes to food, shopping and attractions. 

Despite these similarities, however, Kuala Lumpur feels more like a hidden-gem destination. Singapore is a sprawling city-state with so much to discover that it can sometimes be hard to escape the hustle and bustle. Kuala Lumpur is smaller and gives travellers opportunities to see more of Malaysia, from its mountains to its beaches and islands. You can spend one day marveling at the Petronas Towers, feasting on delicious street food and haggling at the Petaling Street Market… and the next you could be hiking and drinking tea on a day trip to the Cameron Highlands. 

If you’d rather explore a dynamic city than relax on a beach, Melbourne is probably on your travel bucket list. This is where coffee, culture, creativity and cuisine collide in Australia, meaning you’ll never run out of things to do on vacation. In fact, it has one of the most enviable events calendars in the country. No matter what time of year you visit (it’s a great all-season destination!), it’s easy to stumble upon a music, film or food festival.

Wellington has a similar feel — especially on Cuba Street, where many of the city’s best coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, record stores and boutiques can be found. Try visiting in March for the annual CubaDupa festival, which brings even more entertainment to this pedestrian zone. No wonder it’s been dubbed “the coolest little capital”.

Like Melbourne, Wellington is also great to visit year-round. Surrounded by mountains and ocean, there’s no shortage of things to do, from riding the cable car and wandering through a botanic garden to hiking, sailing and experiencing movie magic at the local Wētā Cave shop.

Other Melbourne destination dupes: Montreal, Quebec (this Canada spot has a similar art and culture scene, and also hosts F1) and Hobart, Tasmania

Ready to take your tropical vacation to the next level? Trade Mauritius for Bali. Both islands are located in the Indian Ocean and boast breathtaking beaches and lush, rolling hills. And like Mauritius, Bali is known for having spectacular luxury resorts — making it an ideal spot for honeymoons and other romantic trips.

Bali is also a great destination dupe if you’d like to pepper a little extra culture and heritage into your beach getaway. Don’t get us wrong: there are a lot of gorgeous holy places in Mauritius. But there are more than 10,000 (!!!) ancient temples to visit in Bali, including Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Besakih — the latter of which is perched on the side of a volcano.

If you were planning on visiting Mauritius for the snorkelling, it’s worth knowing that Bali’s underwater playground is just as impressive. Whether you dive below the surface at Tulamben Nusa Penida or Menjangan Island, you’ll discover coral reefs and colourful marine life.

Vancouver, Canada has five sister cities around the world… and surprisingly, Seattle, Washington isn’t one of them (probably because the relationships are technically based on legal and social agreements instead of similarities). But if sister cities were determined according to vibes these two Pacific Northwest destinations would absolutely be related.

We’ll be honest: the “vibes” we’re speaking of also include high prices and an extended rainy season — but there are a lot of things that make up for this! Like Vancouver, Seattle is located on the coast and surrounded by mountains (after all, the cities are only a two-and-a-half hour’s drive from each other). That means there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had. 

And once you’re done skiing, hiking, kayaking or paddleboarding, you can head back into the city for some good food. Both have great dining scenes and Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market certainly rivals Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market, especially if it’s fresh seafood you’re after. 

Natural beauty, Māori history and culture, world-class restaurants, hip shopping districts, welcoming locals, sweeping harbour views — is there anything Auckland doesn’t have? Not really, no. And you know what? We feel the exact same way about Sydney. 

The capital of New South Wales is nearly identical to Auckland, but bigger in almost every way. Take the size of them, for starters: at 12,368km2, Sydney is almost 12 times larger than Auckland. Not to mention, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House are far more iconic than Auckland’s Sky Tower (don’t miss your chance to see both AU landmarks from the water on a sightseeing cruise).  

Simply put, this is a great dupe if you want to experience more of the things you already love: delicious food and drink, stunning beaches, museums and art galleries, and endless fun.

Other Auckland destination dupes: Wellington, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia

If there’s one thing that both New Yorkers and Chicagoans love, it’s nicknames. Each destination has several monikers, including The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, The Capital of the World and The City of Dreams for New York, and The Windy City, Second City, Chi-Town and City in a Garden for Chicago.

Of course, that’s not the only thing that makes Chicago one of the destination dupes on this list. Its fine dining and late-night food options (hello, Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza), legendary baseball stadium, lively theatre district, historical sites and skyscrapers — the first in the world was built here — ensure you get pretty much the same vacation experience you’d get in New York… perhaps even a better one!

Tourists who choose Chicago over New York can enjoy fewer crowds, less garbage (trash is placed out of view in alleys instead of on sidewalks) and cheaper prices. In other words, it’s great for budget-conscious visitors who want an affordable and exciting city escape.

Another New York destination dupe: São Paulo, Brazil (it has just as much economic clout and culture as NYC, but feels more off the beaten path) 

While some people travel to immerse themselves in new cultures, others travel to escape from their everyday responsibilities. In Johannesburg, you get to do both. On the one hand, there’s a ton of history and heritage to discover — and on the other, there’s a vibrant nightlife scene to experience.

The same can be said for Dubai. With its fabulous architecture, luxury hotels and thrilling attractions (don’t miss the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park, the observation deck at the Burj Khalifa or the “underwater” restaurant Ossiano), the city is guaranteed to fill up your travel tank with glitz, glamour and gusto. At the same time, there are ancient souks and Emirati traditions to delve into; gain insight into Islamic religion and culture at the Jumeirah Mosque or check out the beautifully restored Al Fahidi neighbourhood.

Another Johannesburg destination dupe: Berlin, Germany

Ready to break out of your routine? By visiting these alternative travel destinations, you’re guaranteed to get the experience you love — plus the thrill that comes with going somewhere new. It’s the best of both worlds! Check out our irresistible deals or chat with a consultant to start planning your next vacation.