July and August are the high season in many destinations, and you’ll often find advice to avoid certain locations during this period. I’m not so sure.

I’ve visited all sorts of popular places during these months and had sensational trips. Cooler spots like Norway, Iceland, Hokkaido and New Zealand come immediately to mind, but there’s no need to confine yourself to them. I once went to London specifically in August in order to access royal sites like Buckingham Palace, which is closed to the public most of the year.

Rome, Florence and Venice, though infamously crowded in peak months, can be hugely rewarding to revisit. If you’ve already seen iconic attractions like the Colosseum, the Uffizi and St. Mark’s Square, you can delve into wonderful lesser-known gems and neighborhoods, thus avoiding the masses while still enjoying the warm weather.

On this side of the Atlantic, many hotels in New York City offer low-season rates in July and August, the sun comes out in Seattle, and though Mexican coastal resorts can be uncomfortably hot, interior cities like San Miguel de Allende are surprisingly mild, thanks to their higher altitude. So take any advice to avoid travel in July and August with a grain of salt. It can be great fun if you’re a little strategic.