I'm an American who's lived in Italy for 10 years. Most tourists ruin their summer trips by making these 8 mistakes.

As a local, I know there are some things you should never do when visiting Italy in the summer.

Molly Fitzpatrick

When tourists think of Italian summers, they likely picture balmy beach days, lazy lunches, and sunset spritzes. However, they often forget that the season also brings huge crowds, high temperatures, and plenty of logistical challenges.In my experience, the difference between a dreamy summer trip and a frustrating one often comes down to how well you plan for those realities.Take it from me — when I first moved from the US to Rome, I made some of the same missteps I now see many visitors make. But now that I've lived in Italy for 10 years, I know all about the things tourists should avoid doing when traveling in the summer months.Not resting after lunchThe afternoon break — known as riposo — isn't as ubiquitous as it used to be, especially in big cities. However, it still happens in many parts of Italy.In general, many small businesses close for a few hours around lunchtime, typically from 1 p.m. to about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m, to rest and enjoy a meal. Plus, many restaurants close to get ready for the dinner rush.To avoid a sweaty, exhausting afternoon, I recommend sightseeing in the morning, grabbing some lunch, and then honoring the local tradition of taking the hottest part of the day off to rest before heading back out in the early evening.Trying to eat dinner too early