Four tips for surviving summer in Europe

You know what I'm going to say: find some other time to travel. Europe in summer can be notoriously unpleasant, with a tide of overheated tourists irritably surging through narrow streets, pushing their way through museums and booking out all the good restaurants.

Let's say, however, you don't have a choice. That it's a matter of now or never. Don't stress. You can still have a good time in Europe in summer. Just follow our four essential rules below.

Don't make your itinerary too ambitious

The worst thing about Europe in summer is the sheer number of people travelling. That doesn't just make it tricky to snap a selfie at the Trevi Fountain – it means everything takes longer. You are much more likely to get stuck in traffic on your way to the airport, or struggle to push your suitcase through the crowds to your hotel. Why put yourself through it more often than you have to? Be kind to yourself: pick one or two destinations and enjoy them thoroughly.

Choose your destination carefully

If you are thinking that a beach break would be nice – perhaps a weekend on the French Riviera, or even a day trip to Capri – know this: thousands of other people have had that same idea, and most of them will be there before you. Venice, Paris, Rome? Packed with uni kids on their first big adventure. For your summer sojourn, look instead for a destination that lies off the usual tourist route. Instead of Croatia, try Montenegro. Instead of Santorini or Mykonos, head to Naxos or Kythira. Desperate to do Italy? Skip the big cities for a week in Umbria exploring gorgeous towns such as Orvieto, Spello and Perugia.

Book ahead – way ahead

Flights, hotels, trains … everything is more expensive in peak season and the longer you leave it, the more expensive it gets. Lock your bookings in as soon as you have your dates, so there is one less thing to worry about it. While you're at it, if you have any restaurants you know you want to try, book those too. And if you are walking around and you spy a restaurant you would like to have dinner at later in the week, don't leave it to chance – book it right then and there. Wandering the streets at dinnertime looking for a restaurant with a free table is a miserable way to end the day.

Embrace the siesta

The siesta may have been invented in southern Europe as a way of avoiding the midday heat but rising early, staying up late and having a lunchtime rest is a great way to avoid the horde no matter where you are. Starting your sightseeing early gets you ahead of the crowds; for major monuments, look at after-hours tours when there is room to spread out. A quick after-lunch nap will ensure you don't tire yourself out. Also, remember to stay cool. Carry a water bottle – many major cities have plenty of public fountains – and when all else fails, treat yourself to an ice-cream.