A one-stop swap

These Northern Ireland attractions are perfect examples of the ‘destination dupe’ trend

WITH most of us striving to save money wherever we can, that doesn’t mean you have to forego your travels. Affordable alternatives are central to the ‘destination dupe’ trend.

Tourists are uncovering alternative places that are a little unexpected, great value for money, avoid the crowds and still deliver the holiday vibes we all dream of.

Tourism Northern Ireland has looked at some global holiday favourites and found local alternatives and counterparts that allow you to enjoy similar experiences much closer to home, at a fraction of the cost and many less than two hours from Dublin.

St George’s Market Belfast, Co Antrim Dupe for: Time Out Market, Lisbon, Portugal

TIME Out Market in Lisbon champions the very best of the city’s traders, restaurants and artists.

St George’s Market in Belfast does exactly the same thanks to its fresh, local produce, live music and electric atmosphere. Open Friday through Sunday, the market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and caters for visitors of all ages.

Finn Lough Forest Domes Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh Dupe for: Ridgeback Lodge, Canada

PEOPLE travel far and wide to experience spectacular night-time stargazing in bubble domes, like those on offer at Ridgeback Lodge in Canada, but why go so far when the same experience and spectacular views are just up the road?

Finn Lough in Co Fermanagh serves up uninterrupted views of the starry skies from a luxury bubble dome while its hot and cold therapy treatment cabins will leave you feeling renewed after your private audience with nature.

The MAC, Belfast, Co Antrim Dupe for: Tate Modern, London

WHY waste time with flights and queues at the Tate Modern when you can satisfy your cultural cravings with a road trip to Belfast.

The MAC is home to an eclectic programme of inter- national art exhibitions, live theatre and dance.

Jam-packed with diverse things to see and do, this award-winning, accessible cultural hub — based in Belfast’s iconic Cathedral Quarter — is a fantastic space that can be enjoyed by all ages and interests.

Marble Arch Caves Co Fermanagh

Dupe for: Hida Cave, Japan IF you’re longing to experience the natural beauty of the limestone Hida Cave in Japan but can’t yet afford it, instead visit Northern Ireland’s limestone caves in Co Fermanagh.

Delve deep beneath the lush green fields above and marvel at the labyrinth of waterfalls and lofty chambers that make up the Marble Arch Caves.

Take a guided tour and try the first-of-its-kind VR experience to get a cutting-edge ‘deep time’ understanding of the cave system’s 340million-year history.

Morelli’s, Portstewart, Co Derry Dupe for: Florence, Italy

WHILE Florentine innovator Bernardo Buontalenti may be recognised as the inventor of gelato, a flight to Florence isn’t required to enjoy some authentic Italian ice-cream and incredible scenery.

Instead, step into awardwinning Morelli’s in Portstewart to experience an amazing array of ice-creams, sundaes, delicious cakes and pastries as well as a full hot and cold menu. Morelli’s is the perfect stop-off on the Causeway Coast for a sweet treat and jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Ballintoy, Co Antrim Dupe for: Dachstein Skywalk, Austria

THRILLSEEKERS longing to venture to dizzying heights and cross narrow footbridges for perfect panoramic views need look no further than Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on the Causeway Coast.

Much like the Dachstein Sky Walk in Austria, don’t look down, as you traverse this narrow rope bridge, blowing in the breeze and hanging high above the Atlantic Ocean. First erected by salmon fishermen more than 350 years ago, thousands of people now cross the bridge each year.

Mourne Wall Mourne Mountains, Co Down Dupe for: Great Wall of China

WHILE the Great Wall of China can be seen from space, adventurers need not travel that far to walk alongside a feat of human engineering that traverses valleys and mountains. Instead, travel to the Mourne Mountains in Co Down and marvel at the ingenuity of the Mourne Wall.

The wall passes over 14 of the 15 mountains it scales and, if you’re lucky, you might bump into one of the fifthgeneration stonemasons repairing it using the same techniques their forefathers used to build it.

For more experiences and locations in Northern Ireland, visit discover northernireland.com