10 tips to escape the heat while traveling

While most of us go on summer vacations hoping to bask in the sun, in recent years rising temperatures have led to unpleasant (and sometimes dangerous) heatwaves both at home and abroad.

Much of the Mediterranean is now struggling with extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40C in Italy, Spain and Greece. In Athens, the Acropolis was forced to close the day before. More than 4000 people had to be evacuated due to forest fires on the Spanish island of La Palma, writes Yahoo.

Tourists were given 10 tips on how to escape the heat during a trip:

• Use the freezer and stock up on frozen drinks. They will come in handy in the first few hours of your trip. At the hotel, you can put towels in the freezer and use them to refresh yourself after a walk in the sun.
• Keep your room window closed tightly to prevent the heat from entering your temporary home.
• Adjust your vacation routine so that you don't have to be in the sun during peak hours. It's better to go to the beach or sightseeing early in the morning.
• Choose your clothes carefully: avoid wearing dark colors that absorb heat, and be sure to bring a hat.

• Book your visits to attractions and restaurants for a time when it's not so hot outside.
• Ditch the beach on a hot day and head to a museum or art gallery instead, as there's great air conditioning anywhere that houses priceless paintings.
• If you are on vacation in a city, you can look for a park or botanical garden. There might also be a body of water.
• When booking a hotel room, ask if it has air conditioning.
• Make sure that your body does not suffer from dehydration and control the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Choose your vacation destination carefully: find out about the weather at the time of your trip and the climate.