I've traveled to some of Italy's most popular destinations. Here are 7 things I wish I'd known before visiting during tourist season.

The heat is real.

Throughout most of Italy, July and August can get quite hot, and air conditioning isn't as readily available as it is in the US. Many bigger hotels will have AC, but some smaller hotels and rental properties won't.

To avoid the intense afternoon heat and exposure to the midday sun, it's best to plan activities, hikes, and tours earlier in the morning. Make sure to have plenty of water on hand, too.

Popular tourist spots can get really crowded.

There's a reason tourists all flock to the same spots. But when it's difficult to move or take a photo in places like Rome's Trevi Fountain, it's not very enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend skipping them altogether, but rather just going during off-hours.

I like to visit popular tourist spots first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. I also try to see the busiest destinations during the week instead of the weekend.

I also recommend getting creative and finding alternative spots to snap famous photos. For example, you can capture Florence's Ponte Vecchio from one of the other bridges or from above while sipping an Aperol Spritz from a rooftop bar.

Most places close mid-afternoon for a few hours.

Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, typically from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Shops (including some grocery stores) generally shut down for a few hours as well, usually sometime between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

This is a good time to take a siesta yourself, or if you're staying somewhere with a pool, cool off with a dip.

You’re better off taking public transport instead of driving.

Having driven several times in Italy, I recommend sticking to public transportation, especially during tourist season. Not only is driving in other countries stressful, but many of the Italian cities and villages have ZTL zones, restricting non-locals from driving in the historic centers.

Parking is typically available right outside these zones, but spots are limited during the busy season. To avoid possible fines, I recommend taking public transportation instead.

Many popular places can be reached by train or bus, whether visiting Venice, Naples, or the smaller cities like San Gimignano in Tuscany or Polignano a Mare in Puglia.

The best restaurants are tucked away from the main tourist attractions.

The food in Italy is fantastic. However, the most authentic culinary experiences come from wandering down the side streets away from the main attractions.

One of the best slices of pizza I've had in Rome was just a few blocks from the bustling Piazza Navona and the Pantheon at Antico Forno Roscioli.

A solid general rule is to avoid restaurants with photos of the dishes displayed outside and a maitre'd trying to convince you to dine there.

Don’t do too much in one trip.

My travel mindset is always to maximize my time in a place and see everything I can, but that often leads to rushing around and not truly experiencing a destination.

In Italy, I try to slow down and adopt the local mentality to truly savor what I eat, drink, and see. After several trips, I now gravitate toward spending more time in one location instead of cramming in a million different spots where I switch hotels every night.

Venture off the beaten path.

Italy's most-popular cities are worth a visit, but I recommend building in time to explore some of the lesser-traveled spots. Lucca, Pitigliano, and tiny Castiglione d'Orcia are all beautiful alternatives or add-ons in Tuscany.

On the coast, Camogli on the Italian Riviera is a great addition to a Cinque Terre itinerary. If you're visiting Lake Como, the smaller village of Varenna is the perfect base in lieu of the more well-known Bellagio or Menaggio.

On the Amalfi Coast, villages like Positano draw the most crowds, but Atrani or Praiano will get you more bang for your buck, away from masses of other tourists.