

Destination dupes are the latest travel trend that involves visiting lesser-known, affordable places that offer a similar experience to popular destinations. One of the benefits of traveling to a destination dupe is that travelers get to discover a hidden gem, avoid crowds, and save money in the process.
There are many similar destinations around the world to choose from, so check out our list of the seven top destination dupes below.
Discover Amsterdam In Aruba
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Aruba has a massive Dutch influence, which can be found in its architecture, charming streets, and culture. Couple that with water activities such as snorkeling or scuba diving, and you have a vacation to remember. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in all that the island has to offer.
Find Costa Rican Wildlife In Mexico
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
Costa Rica may be known for its tropical wildlife, but Playa del Carmen offers the same experience with less flight time. The Mexican town is located on the coastline of Riviera Maya and the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, is a great place to take in the wildlife scenery, like spider monkeys, coatis, howler monkeys, all different kinds of birds, marine wildlife in its riverways and so much more.
Trade In The Greek Islands For This Caribbean Island
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Experience Greece in the Caribbean when you visit South Andros island in the Bahamas. It’s one of the larger islands and has the world’s third-largest barrier reef. However, it’s still relatively less crowded than other vacation hot spots. Check into Caerula Mar Club for a relaxing stay.
Can't Make It To Venice? Discover The "Venice of America"
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Fort Lauderdale is often referred to as “Venice of America” thanks to its 165 miles of beautiful, tropical navigable waterways and riverwalk. The city is also known for its award-winning art museums, small shops, delicious dining, and the beautiful string lights in the streets of Las Olas. Check out Hyatt Centric Las Olas located near galleries and fine dining or W Fort Lauderdale for sweeping views of the Atlantic and Intracoastal.
Explore Spanish Culture Without The Passport
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If you’re looking for a Spanish destination with no passport required, than look no further than Puerto Rico. The beautiful island has a Spanish influence that can be found in the food, architecture and culture. By staying at Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico in Rio Grande, travelers can get a taste of the island’s beauty in their backyard. The expansive resort is set on the famed sandy shores of PR and framed against the backdrop of the El Yunque rainforest.
Uncover The Best Wine Without The High Price
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Who needs Bordeaux, France when California wine country is a short flight away? Discover Napa Valley and all it has to offer, including the best vino and picturesque views of sprawling vineyards and rolling hills. The Meritage Resort & Spa is a premier vineyard property that offers world-class luxury with exceptional hospitality. Guests can choose from on-site tasting rooms, elevated dining options, a locally sourced artisanal market, relaxing spa and more.
Take In Coastal Views Without The Crowds
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If you want Amalfi Coast without the crowds, then explore Turkey’s Datça Peninsula (aka the Turkish Riviera). Travelers will be surrounded by stunning views of volcanic mountain ranges, neighboring Greek islands, and crystal-clear waters. D Maris Bay is a luxurious, secluded resort with five private beaches, several indoor and outdoor pools, an array of water excursions, and world-renowned dining.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
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I Tried It: 3 Low-Maintenance Wigs That Will Elevate Your Look This Season
There's nothing like the feeling you get when your hair is done. It can instantly boost your confidence and put you in a great mood. I've never been a stranger to hair trends and I often experiment with the latest braided styles and colors.
But there are moments when I just don't feel like doing my hair. I'm natural and a lot of times I will braid or twist my hair up and cover it with a scarf or turban. However, when I crave a different look without the hassle of styling, I reach for a wig.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with wigs. Sometimes, I struggle to get them to lay flat and don't get me started with the bonding glue process. So when it comes to wearing wigs, I like to keep it nice and breezy around this b--- (word to Katt Williams), especially in the summertime.
That's why I jumped at the chance to try these three versatile wigs from Luvme Hair. Each one offers a unique look and is surprisingly low maintenance, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy that wearing wigs should make life easier. Let’s dive into the three styles below.
Headband Wig
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This was the first wig I tried on, and I instantly fell in love with it. So much so that it took me weeks to even consider trying the other two. I’m partial to colored hair, especially blonds, browns, and reds, so I was skeptical about the jet black hair. However, I think the color, combined with the curl pattern, worked surprisingly well for me.
One of the things I really liked about this wig was that I didn’t have to braid my hair down first. I could simply throw it over a low ponytail, which is the epitome of a low-maintenance style. The headband has combs inside and velcro on the ends, ensuring a secure fit.
Half Wig
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I had never worn a half wig before, so I faced some challenges. I cornrowed the bottom half of my hair where the wig would sit, but I believe this made it more difficult to use the combs. It might just be me though. I straightened the top part of my hair to blend it with the wig, which looked cute for about five minutes.
Firstly, I have a brown/blonde color mix on the ends of my hair, and the half wig is black. So, I had to hide some of the color (I didn’t have time to dye the wig). Secondly, straightening my hair myself is always a hassle because it never lasts long. Add to that the summer humidity, and you get a hot mess. Despite all this, I managed to get some cute pictures before things got out of control, and that’s all that matters, right?
Would I consider this a low-maintenance hair style? Yes and no. I think it’s unrealistic for me during the summer, especially since I enjoy summer activities. However, when the weather cools down, I’ll definitely rock it, dyed, of course.
Bob
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Now, this is the wig I was nervous about. I never had a bob and I didn't think I would like it. But once I put bobiana on, my mind instantly changed. I finally understood why the gworls rave about the bob so much. It was giving boss. It was giving grown woman. It was giving the bob means business. Iykyk. It was the ultimate statement.
I will say when I first put it on, one side of my wig just would not lay flat. It took some trial and error, but I finally managed to get it to look good. With the bob, I highly recommend braiding your hair down first as small as you can so it can lay as flat as possible. I really liked the ash blonde color, which is perfect for summer. The length also makes it a great low-maintenance style for the season, so you don't have to worry about the hair making your neck sweaty.
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