Probably 6 Of The Best Places To Travel In August.
The warm and sunny days of late summer spell peak season for many destinations, but fewer crowds and great deals still exist — if you know where to go.
Thanks to PATRICIA DOHERTY JULY 16, 2018
Although July is said to be the most popular month for summer vacations, August is a close second. There’s still time to plan a trip in August, or even a staycation if time or resources are limited this year.
Our suggestions this month include a few cooler spots for those who long to escape the summer heat as well as warm weather destinations with beaches, pools, and plenty of sunshine.
A little education along with pleasure never hurt anyone, and learning is fun in a museum focused on comedy, science, or food. We have picks for the whole family and others that are more romantic; destinations that are affordable in August and some the most luxurious of traveller's will love.
Related: These Are the Hottest Destinations for a Summer Vacation in 2018
If whale watching, swimming with undersea wildlife, and nature walks interest you, August is a great time to travel across the U.S. and beyond.
If parties, music, and concerts are for you, you might want to head for one of the world’s largest summer events in Budapest.
For the adventurous, we suggest white water rafting or guided mountain climbing. From small town U.S.A. to historic European cities to tropical islands and beaches, your perfect August vacation awaits.
1. Manhattan Beach, California.
Perfect summer temperatures in the mid-70s, white sand beach, and lots to do make this South Bay beach town a great spot to visit in August — or any time. There’s a walkable downtown with shops featuring apparel, collectibles, souvenirs, and home furnishings, along with restaurants ranging from pizza and burgers to upscale dining. Its pier offers spectacular sunset views and a small aquarium, and the Strand, a 22-mile-long beachside paved path, welcomes joggers, bikers, and strollers. The August schedule includes the International Surf Festival, volleyball tournaments, concerts, and Shakespeare in the Park to supplement the swimming and sunbathing. Conveniently located minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, Manhattan Beach offers a range of lodging. The newly re-designed Westdrift Manhattan Beach, with loaner bicycles, a nine-hole golf course, pool, and restaurant, is an inviting convenient location.
2. Maui, Hawaii.
August is family vacation time, and Maui has something to keep everyone in the group happy. There are sandy beaches for swimming and snorkeling, waves for boogie boarding and surfing, calm bays for stand-up paddle boarding, breezes for windsurfing, and sunshine for lounging and tanning. Golfers have their choice of resort or public courses, all with views that will make them forget their bogies. Historic Lahaina Town, once a great whaling port, is now a bustling center of restaurants and shops. The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is called “The Valley Isle” because its central area is located between two mountains, Haleakala (a dormant volcano) and the West Maui Mountains. Visitors can explore miles of beaches, visit upcountry pastures and farms, or just relax by the hotel pool. The Montage Kapalua Bay offers a range of experiences that include lei making, ukulele lessons, and children’s Paintbox programs. The Champagne Hale at Cliff House is the resort’s special place to enjoy sunset with a glass of bubbly.
3. Florence, Italy.
A wonderful city to explore any time of year, Florence is bustling even in August when the weather is warm and many Italians and other Europeans head out of town for vacations. Its museums, cathedrals, piazzas, and ancient streets welcome visitors, and cultural events and festivals entertain under the stars. Gelato tastes even better in summer, and sipping chilled prosecco or an icy spritz in a breezy piazza or overlooking the Arno is a delightful August pastime. An urban beach along the river near the Ponte Vecchio offers a view of the Uffizi as well as lounge chairs, umbrellas, and entertainment. Fiesole is a bus ride away, and summer brings evening concerts and shows. It’s easy to visit other Tuscan towns from your base in Florence either on your own or with a group tour. City Wonders’ Florence and Tuscany tours are a convenient way to explore, and their skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tour makes visiting the museum a breeze. Splurge on a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze — the lobby feels like a museum and the grounds like a slice of Tuscan countryside paradise, including a luxurious pool to save you from the summer heat.
4. Ottawa, Canada.
August is a popular season for tourists in Canada’s capital. Temperatures are in the mid-70s, just right for taking in the sights. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers voyageur canoe tours with views of the city along with a history lesson about the canal’s construction nearly 200 years ago. Children will enjoy the Agriculture and Food Museum, where they can visit farm animals. The all-new Canada Science and Technology Museum boasts digital experiences for the whole family, a Children’s Innovation Zone, science demonstrations, and special exhibitions. For outdoor adventures, the Ottawa River on the northern edge of the city is a top whitewater rafting and fishing area. At Dows Lake Pavilion, visitors can rent canoes, paddle boats, kayaks, and standup paddle boards. As a culinary destination, Ottawa is diverse, with French, Italian, Chinese, seafood, and locally grown foods prepared by skilled chefs at restaurants ranging from casual to upscale.
5. Budapest, Hungary.
August is a time of festivals, concerts, and parties in this ancient city on the Danube River. The month-long Vajdahunyad Castle Summer Music Festival from July 2-Aug.16 features symphonies, jazz, and more. Visitors love the celebration of St. Stephen’s Day that begins on Aug. 19 with concerts and food stalls, culminating on Aug. 20 with a spectacular fireworks display and air show. The largest festival, Sziget, on Obuda Island from Aug. 8-15, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world for performances by an international roster of popular music talent, a circus, boat parties, films, and cultural events. Known since ancient Roman times for its thermal springs, Budapest is home to many spas and pools, some for medicinal purposes, but most for pleasure. The huge Szechenyi Baths include 15 thermal baths and three swimming pools, with parties on Saturday evenings during summer. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Budapest offers history, culture, exceptional food, and lots of summer fun.
6. Tahiti, South Pacific.
Exotic and inviting, Tahiti is about eight hours by air from Los Angeles, halfway between California and Australia. August’s weather is warm and dry, and temperatures range from high 60s to mid-80s. Diving and snorkeling are popular activities, with an array of spectacular sea life, including sea turtles, rays, sharks, and colorful fish in the clear waters around the islands. Surfing the waves, or watching the best surfers in the world at the Tahiti Pro Teahupoo Men’s Surfing Championship Tour from Aug. 10-21 is the perfect excuse for days on the shore. Humpback whales spend their summers around the islands, feeding, giving birth, breeding, and thrilling devoted whale-watchers. Tahiti encompasses 118 islands spread over five archipelagos. The nearby island of Huahine, less traveled than Tahiti and Bora Bora, offers lush forests, quaint villages, and a taste of old Polynesia. Maupiti, a tiny secluded island, is home to white sand beaches and magnificent rocky peaks. At the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort, stay in a villa perched over a quiet lagoon.
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