It is summertime so we are all subjected to persistent social media posts regarding how crowded Venice is, or how the lines to access Santorini from the ferry in 95 degree weather are nuts, or airports are packed, etc. While these images do look like Hell on earth, are we shocked some of the most popular summer destinations in the world are in fact popular?

Look, I totally understand your desire to see the Mona Lisa in an empty room, but that is not going to happen at 2pm on a Saturday in July. I am not going to try and talk you out of summer travel as I understand the weather is desirable (besides the European heatwaves and wildfires but I digress), children are off from school and usually work is a little more laid back in the summer.

However, all those factors above are true for everyone which is why popular destinations are packed. Below is a list of ways you can make summer travel a little more bearable. 

Stay Out of the Cities

Every summer we hear how Italy is packed with tourists from around the world. However, there are many wonderful parts of Italy that aren’t nearly as crowded. No, I am not telling you to skip Tuscany in favor of Calabria. Not a knock on Calabria, but tourists want Tuscany for the vineyards, Renaissance stuff and the food. However, you do not need to stay in the city of Florence with everyone else to experience these things. There are lovely quiet villas all around Italy you can rent each located near small towns with some of the best wines you will ever have. Stay at a villa that is quiet, get all the selfies of open scenery for Instagram and enjoy yourself. This solution would work in other parts of Italy, France, Spain Etc.

Don’t Go Inside!

I have a secret to tell you. You can see the Eiffel Tower without waiting in line to go to the top, you can see the Acropolis without waiting in line to get inside, and the Sagrada Familia is stunning from the outside too. I know it is ‘sacrilegious’ to not go inside any of these places, but really, come back in the winter at 8am to do that. Do you really want to wait in line for hours to go inside and be crammed with other tourists in the summer heat?

Skip the Tours

You don’t need to go on walking tours in 90-degree heat. I have 2 history degrees and don’t care enough to do that.

Do a Tour

Wait, what? I know I am contradicting myself, but if you must go inside every church you have never heard of or cared about until you landed somewhere in Europe, do one of those skip the line day tours you can easily book on viator.com. It will still be crowded, but at least you won’t be waiting outside in the sun all day.

South America is Underrated

Our summer is their winter, except in most places down there the temperature is still mild. The beaches are just as pretty (if not prettier) than their Mediterranean counterparts with significantly less people.

Shoulder Season

If you want to enjoy Europe for the summer climate, try going in May or September. It is still warm in the warm places and while there are still crowds, they are quite smaller than peak July or August.

 

Summer travel is necessary, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. Manage those expectations and if you are seeking a quiet and relaxing holiday than perhaps Rome in July is not for you? Think about your goals for your trip. If quiet and serenity is what you seek, summer travel to popular destinations may not be ideal.

Bon Voyage,

Andrew