Crowd-free alternatives to our favourite European destinations

Originally a 19th-century villa, this neoclassical beauty is a classic Lake Como stay, where there are still plenty of low-key towns, villages, and beaches to explore away from the typical tourist trail in summer. Backed by forested mountains and facing the calm waters of the lake, the hotel has kept its historic bones intact – ornate chandeliers, classical columns, frescoes, and ceiling roses – paired with modern furnishings and comforts for the best of both worlds. The grand dame hotel sits on the doorstep of Menaggio for strolls, people-watching, and days spent gently moving through time. Morning hikes, boat trips around the lake, and visits to immaculate villas from another era, such as Villa Carlotta, are all within easy reach.

The atmosphere at Foxhill Manor feels like staying at your most stylish friend’s country retreat in the Cotswolds. Located on the Farncombe Estate above Broadway, the Grade II-listed manor has just eight suites, each individually styled with roll-top baths and antiques, alongside sweeping views across the gardens and rolling countryside. Spend balmy summer days enjoying long picnics beneath mature trees, playing tennis and croquet, wandering through wildflower meadows, or heading out to nearby villages and cosy pubs. The English countryside feels especially idyllic in summer.

While crowds pour into the Cyclades, the immensely beautiful Peloponnese region of Greece remains relatively under-the-radar during summer. The area has some of the best beaches in Greece, as well as historic stone-built villages that feel entirely distinct from the white-and-blue vernacular of the islands. Beneath the Byzantine ruins of Mystras – a fortified town now operating as an open-air museum – sits Euphoria Retreat, a wellness hotel set within quiet, fertile countryside. The cooler mountain air, authentic surrounding villages, and serene pools and gardens make Euphoria an ideal alternative Greek summer escape.