August is a bittersweet month, depending on who you ask. Parents are rejoicing at the fact that back to school is around the corner and that usually means one last opportunity for a family vacation. Children, on the other hand, are getting ready to return to a routine and say goodbye to summertime freedom. Those without children get to take advantage of this as well since most destinations begin to quiet down towards the end of the month. Whatever your situation, August is a great month to visit many destinations all around the world. With the help of a few travel bloggers, I’ve put together a list of the best August travel destinations suitable for everyone!
Head to Sri Lanka in August to witness the largest number of wild elephants in the world coming together in an event dubbed ‘The Gathering’. Sri Lanka has the highest density of wild elephants in Asia, making it one of the best places to elephant watch in the world. Gathering in numbers of up to 300, elephants visit the Minneriya National park tank, an old reservoir, one of the last places during the dry months to hold water. It’s truly a sight to behold and is easily one the greatest spectacles on earth. It takes place in Minneriya National Park or its neighboring park, Kaudulla (the elephants can travel over into the neighboring park through an ‘elephant corridor’).
Rent a safari jeep, driver and guide cheaply (we paid $40 plus a tip for all four of us).
After your elephant safari, head to the East Coast of Sri Lanka for some world-famous surf. Whilst the Yala monsoon batters the South West Coast, the East Coast is entirely protected with consistent waves perfect for surfers of all levels. Kick back and relax at popular Arugam Bay or head up the coast and find peace in solitude on the beach at Hilltop Cabanas, Lighthouse Bay, where you can rent a treetop cabana overlooking the ocean for peanuts. Read More…
Singapore is a great country to visit at any time of year. It lies pretty close to the equator, so the climate is typically tropical with high temperatures year-round. There are also festivals, exhibitions, lush nature to explore with wild parties consistently throughout the 365-day cycle. There are many reasons to visit Singapore in August, but first and foremost is the weather. Consistency is your word of choice when describing temperatures in August. Historically, Singapore averages between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius. It’s the start of the wet season, so the rain is not as bad as December, but the evening showers are a welcome reprieve from the heat.
Weather aside, there’s a lot of festivals and cultural exploration to do in August. It’s usually when the annual open-air film festival, Films at the Fort, takes places. The festival is based at the gorgeous restored natural amphitheater in Fort Canning Park. August is also both national and gay pride month Singapore. LGBT rights are at the forefront with the IndigNation festival being held throughout the month. Design lovers are also in luck with a wildly popular Pasar Malam (night market) called Singapasar. The focus is on locally designed and made products. Singapasar is all about national identity and pride and usually falls over National Day, which is on August 9. There are also parties all of the Little Red Dot to celebrate the big day, including a firework display of epic proportions.
Other festivals and markets include the Epicurean Market for foodies, the Singapore Coffee Festival for lovers of the bean, and the Night Festival and Civic District Outdoor Festival for artsy types. While there is a lot happening, there is a slight break in tourist traffic in August, so it’s actually a nice time to visit and not be bombarded by crowds. And you might even score cheaper accommodation. Read More…
''Summer in Georgia and especially in Kutaisi, Batumi, Tbilisi, etc might be very hot but it's still a great time to visit the country.
August is surely the best month to visit the Black Sea coast - swimming, sunbathing and all that jazz. I've been in Batumi in summer and it was great, plus, the sunsets are amazing!
The capital city is always good for a visit, there are so many cool and fun things to do in Tbilisi! You can swim in a waterfall in the heart of the city and in Tbilisi Sea. There are also cool parties happening outdoors in places such as the Turtle Lake. In August is also being held the biggest Georgian music festival - GEM Fest and I'm going this year!
August is also the perfect time to visit Georgia because August is one of the best months for hiking and Georgia has lots of hiking trails to offer. '' Read More…
Edinburgh is known as a festival city, with 11 official festivals and countless others taking place throughout the year. It's a fantastic place to visit at any time of year, with an abundance of history, beautiful sites to explore, and plenty of cultural activities, but August definitely has to be one of the best times to visit Edinburgh. Five of the official festivals run simultaneously, and the whole city takes on a festival feel as the population more than doubles for the month.
The most well-known festival is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which has a huge range of acts, basically, anything goes at the Festival Fringe! Prices for shows are usually affordable or free (although expect to pay a donation on exit!).
Alongside there’s the Edinburgh International Festival, with invited acts coming to perform in venues across the city, the Edinburgh International Book Festival where you can hear renowned authors doing readings and giving talks, as well the Edinburgh Art Festival, and of course, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where military bands come from around the world to perform on the Esplanade in front of the majestic Edinburgh Castle. Seriously, there’s something for everyone in Edinburgh in August! Pop-up bars and venues open across the city, including beer gardens and street food stalls, and the Royal Mile is crammed with buskers and acts enticing you to come to their show. When you’re ‘festivaled out’ you can enjoy the usual delights, Edinburgh has to offer or take a day trip elsewhere in Scotland. Be sure to plan your trip in advance as accommodation can be scarce and prices rise! Read More…
When the warm weather hits, nothing is better than summer in Montreal. The entire city is taken over by dining on terraces, open-air markets and more festivals than any one person can visit.
Montreal is North America’s number one host city for international events. This means Montreal is in festival season the entire year, but the major festivals take place during the summer months. You can almost find a different festival every day during the month of August. Some festivals you will not want to miss in August are the Montreal Fireworks, Pride week, Osheaga or take the chance to visit a Montreal nightclub during the day in a park for Piknic Electronik.
Want a festival that caters to your love of food? You won’t want to miss the Great Montreal Poutinefest. Foodies will also want to visit ‘First Fridays’ at the Olympic Park for Montreal’s monthly food truck gathering. With the largest number of restaurants per Capita in Canada, there is no shortage of restaurants to satisfy any food craving you have.
For those who want a bit more culture, Montreal is the place to be. The OSM Classical Spree Festival offers affordable, sometimes free, classical concerts. If traditional theatre is more your thing, Repercussion Theatre will be hosting Shakespeare-in-the-Park with various Shakespearean plays performed throughout various Montreal’s parks.
Prefer to experience the local culture? Take a stroll through Jean Talon market or spend a Sunday at Jeanne-Mance park for Montreal’s weekly drum circle in the park ‘Tamtams’. Downtown Montreal has culture on every street day and night.
While there, make sure to visit the Old Port of Montreal. Rent a bike or take a stroll along the historic port that stretches over two kilometers along the St-Lawrence River. You can climb a pirate ship or sit and watch the water and boats. No matter what you choose you will not be bored. Read More...
If you plan to take your holiday in August and want to travel to South East Asia, then Penang Island in Malaysia must be on your itinerary. For some good reasons. Located only one hour from Kuala Lumpur, Penang is easy to reach by flight, train or car. Over the years it has become a top food destination in South East Asia that attracts not only overseas visitors, from all over the world but also thousands of South East Asians who flock to this unique Unesco World Heritage site to enjoy its fabulous food.
While food is the main attraction, the island is well-known for its rich cultural and colonial heritage. With dozens of celebrations embracing artistic, cultural, culinary and religious feasts, August is the best month of the year to pay a visit during the world-renowned George Town Festival. This is truly a unique opportunity to experience the extraordinary about Penang. You will immerse yourself in the spirit of the place and witness how people from the most diverse cultural and religious background have been living there together, in perfect harmony. The famous "Street of Harmony" with Hindu and Chinese Temples, Mosque, Anglican and Catholic Churches and more religious icons is just one example of the profound culture blend that reigns in Penang. That kind of cultural and ethnical diversity that nurtures and enriches the lives of its population day after day.
Food and street art and the beautiful colonial heritage buildings along with the friendliness of its amazing people are the pillars that make Penang stand out as the pearl of South East Asia. I love it and could go back over and over again. If you plan to visit in August here are my picks with the best things to do in Penang.
If you are like me, your bucket list is never ending and there is always a new and exciting place worth exploring. Part of planning a trip is knowing the best time to travel to a destination to ensure you get the best experience. Why not choose a destination that is tried, tested and true? Well, that’s possible thanks to the amazing travel bloggers that contributed to this post.
What is your favorite August travel destination?
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