Venice's appeal is showing few signs of waning, with last year's tourism figures revealing a staggering 750,000 day-trippers descended upon the Italian floating city between April and mid-July. Despite the city's best efforts to manage the chaos, peak weekends in May saw nearly 30,000 visitors per day squeezing through its narrow streets and across its iconic canal bridges.

This relentless popularity has forced local authorities to launch a crackdown, with the controversial entry fee system expanded to cover 60 peak days. Tourists must now cough up €5 (£4.40) for advanced bookings, while those making last-minute plans are hit with a €10 (£8.70) daily access fee - a move aimed at thinning the herd and protecting the city's fragile foundations from so-called "hit-and-run" tourism.

Yet, for those tired of battling selfie sticks and paying premium prices for a coffee, there are dozens of European alternatives where the waterways are just as enchanting, but the atmosphere is far more relaxed. These gems offer the same bridge-crossed romance without the €300 (£261) potential fines or the claustrophobic battle to reach the Rialto.

Gavin Lapidus, company director at eShores, has suggested that you don't need to battle the crowds to find canal-side magic. He has offered France's Annecy as the ultimate alternative - the so-called "Venice of the Alps". This medieval gem swaps the claustrophobic Rialto for a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lake waters, offering all the romance of Italy at a significantly lower price.

Tucked away within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, Annecy is the prefecture of the Haute-Savoie department and sits at the northern tip of Lake Annecy, roughly 26 miles south of Geneva, Switzerland.

Annecy offers a fresher, more relaxed alternative to the Italian hotspot. While Venice is sweltering and packed by June, Annecy remains pleasantly mild, with temperatures hovering between 22C and 26C. You can wander through the historic Old Town and alongside the Palais de l'Île without the elbow-to-elbow struggle, enjoying a "fresher feel" by the lakeside that Venice's humid lagoon, Mr Lapidus revealed.

"This medieval French gem offers the same enchanting waterside charm as the Italian hotspot, but with a dramatic mountain panorama that takes your breath away," the travel expert told the Express. "Wander through its historic old town and along the crystal-clear lake without fighting through tourist crowds or emptying your wallet."

"Beyond the canals, discover charming weekly markets where local artisans showcase traditional Savoyard crafts and delicacies," he added. They are usually held in the Old Town (Vieille Ville) along Rue Sainte-Claire on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings between 7am and 1pm. The Friday and Sunday markets are larger, featuring clothes, while all feature local cheeses, sausages, and fresh produce, according to the Lake Annecy Tourist Office.

When it comes to costs, travellers can expect significant savings by choosing the French Alps over the Italian lagoon, with flights typically costing £25 less and hotel stays saving holidaymakers between £30 and £40 per night. Even daily expenses are lower in Annecy, where dining out generally costs around £5 less per person for a standard meal compared to Venice's premium prices.

According to Mr Lapidus, the perfect three-day trip begins with an immersion in the historic Old Town to visit the iconic Palais de l'Île museum, followed by a second day dedicated to a tranquil lake cruise and a relaxing spa afternoon. On the final day, visitors can browse the local markets before heading up the hill to explore the historic MuséeChâteau d'Annecy.

To get the most out of a visit, the travel expert recommends travelling in late spring or early autumn for the calmest waters and clearest mountain views. He also advises hitting the Old Town Market early on a Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday to beat the locals to the best produce, though he warns that even in this "dupe" destination, the top-rated Michelin-starred tables still require booking well in advance.

Getting to Annecy from the UK is remarkably straightforward, with the most popular route being a flight into Geneva, located just 30 miles across the border. Major carriers like British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 operate frequent direct flights from across London and regional hubs, including Birmingham and Manchester, with the flight time of roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes.

From Geneva Airport, you can hop on a direct bus or take a scenic 45-minute drive to the heart of Annecy. For those preferring a rail adventure, the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, followed by a high-speed TGV service, can whisk you to the "Venice of the Alps" in as little as seven hours.