If you ask most young women whose life they’d most like to borrow, many would probably say Dua Lipa. She’s successful and talented, with excellent taste in books, a sharp political awareness, and an enviable travel itinerary…at least judging by her Instagram. She seems to be in a different country every other week, earning the online nickname “Dua Lingo,” as she posts snapshots of incredible meals, good wine, and whatever brilliant book she’s currently reading. Even Dua has joined in on the joke, quipping, “You know an airport hates to see me coming.”
On what many are speculating was a hen party recently, she captioned an Instagram post: “Funmaxxing is an internet slang term describing the practice of intentionally maximizing enjoyment.” If anyone embodies the concept of funmaxxing, it’s Dua Lipa, and plenty of her followers want a taste of that lifestyle. Part of the fanfare around how she travels is the sense that she’s immersing herself in new cities, seeking out beloved local restaurants, and embracing the pleasures of eating and exploring well. Rather than only retreating to private resorts or staying hidden away from the crowds, she seems to travel with a genuine enthusiasm. Of course, most of us don’t have access to the same resources as Dua Lipa, but that doesn’t mean we can take inspiration from her approach to travel.
Funmaxx Dua Lipa-inspired destinations
Southern Albania
Dua Lipa is British-Albanian, and so it’s no surprise that Albania is one of the key destinations for anyone looking to Eurosummer like the singer. In 2025, after performing at the festival, Sunny Hill, she posted about being home in time for an incredible sunset, overlooking the Albanian Riviera. In 2024, Conde Nast Traveler named it as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, and having spent a week there last summer on a holiday with friends, I can see why. Located north of Greece and south of Montenegro, the coastline rivals that of more popular destinations like Greece. Plus, there’s something for everyone, whether that’s a mountain hike or a beach party, and the cuisine is so underrated. I didn’t have a single bad meal and immediately Googled Albanian restaurants in London when I returned home. To holiday like Dua, head to the Ionian coast to one of Southern Albania’s gems, like the private peninsula of Kep Merli, beside the UNESCO World Heritage Site Butrint. Or, if you’d rather a trip nearer a town or city for nightlife, Ksamil and Saranda aren’t far, and they too offer breathtaking waterside views.
