Find our travel expert recommendations below
August is a busy old month for travel, with the summer crowds out to play and the streets flooded with summer cheer. Unfortunately, this pushes prices up, so booking early is highly advisable, or waiting until the end of the month when you might find some excellent last-minute offers. Look carefully enough though, and you will find some hidden gems that steer clear of the masses, whether this means flying across to the other side of the world or simply choosing to explore home turf instead.
UK
With the entire country in holiday mode, you couldn’t pick a better month than August to explore the UK. Steeped in history, blanketed in rolling countryside and packed with culture, the UK has a lot to offer for such a tiny island. Explore vibrant cities such as London, Edinburgh or Manchester, where events, festivals and parties transform the streets into a month-long summer celebration. Elsewhere, the British countryside is in full bloom, with postcard-perfect regions such as the Cotswolds or the Lake District offering peace and serenity in blissful surroundings.
Portugal
Although August is one of the more popular times of year for a holiday to Portugal, the warm weather by the sea makes it worth it. Famous for its beautiful beaches, take a trip to Cascais and ride the waves, or enjoy a dolphin-spotting tour in a RIB, or simply bask in lazy days by the water under the sun’s warm rays. In summer, brightly-coloured flowers begin to emerge, complementing the pastel-coloured buildings in the pretty towns.
Ecuador
It’s winter in the southern hemisphere, which in Ecuador brings dry, sunny days and pleasant temperatures. This makes for perfect conditions for trekking in the Andes, or spotting wildlife in the Amazon rainforest. You can also time your visit for whale season in Puerto Lopez, a remarkable spectacle in which thousands of humpback whales migrate from Antarctica in search of warmer waters. Make sure you allow enough time to visit the handsome city of Quito too, a colonial settlement elevated in the Andes and surrounded by snowy volcanoes and verdant cloud forest.
Spain
Like much of the Mediterranean, Spain in August is still experiencing a glorious summer. The sea is at its warmest, having been simmering for months after endless days of sunshine, and beach bars and clubs are at their buzziest. You’ll find some of the best and most undiscovered beaches hugging Andalucía’s Costa de la Luz, or head far north to the Basque Country, where a tapas crawl to try the famous pintxos shouldn’t go amiss.
Eastern Canada
Canada's cities come out to play in August to enjoy the blissful, balmy temperatures that swoop the land. The arty neighbourhoods, gourmet cafés and attractive parks in cosmopolitan eastern cities such as Toronto and Montreal are bustling. Nearby, you can take a trip out to see Niagara Falls, or opt for a countryside getaway in the gorgeous Algonquin National Park or Muskoka Lakes - perfect for hiking, kayaking and wildlife spotting.
For more suggestions on where to go in August, make an enquiry online today or give our experts a call on 020 7337 9010
