By Have you left planning your summer holiday to the last minute? This is not necessarily a bad thing as you can get hold of some amazing deals. Here’s a list of places near and far, which you can consider checking out. Regardless of how much time you have, you’ll have an amazing holiday escaping from the hustle and bustle of daily life and discovering a new place.
Vancouver, Canada
With warm and sunny days, August is one of the best months to visit Vancouver. It has great weather, making it possible to explore the destination without worrying about being cold and getting drenched. Since it is summertime, there are plenty of waterfront activities and festivals.
One of the places you should not miss is Stanley Park, which provides the perfect respite from the urban jungle. You can take a tour of the park in a horse drawn carriage, or you can rent bicycles, or just explore by foot. In the middle of the park, you will find the brilliant Vancouver Aquarium which is definitely worth seeing, with sea otters, penguins, sea lions and much more. You are able to stroke stingrays and enjoy watching Chester, the false killer whale, being fed his lunch.
Kyoto, Japan
August is summer in Kyoto, so expect the weather to be hot. This is actually a good thing since it means that you can do a lot of sightseeing as the weather will be on your side. While there are many things that you can do in Kyoto, you should not miss the temples and shrines. There are more than 1,000 temples and 400 shrines, which means that the options will be endless. Some of the best include The Golden Pavilion, The Silver Pavilion, and Ryoan-ji Temple.
Gion, the only geisha district in the country, is sure to be worth your time as well. If you’re visiting Kyoto, you should also make time to explore other areas of Japan. Osaka is only an hour’s drive away, and Kobe is also nearby if you want to sample its famous beef. The public transport in Japan is very fast and efficient, so it makes it easy to get around.
You can check out my ultimate Japan bucket list here.
The French Riviera
The French Riviera is a collection of idyllic destinations that are sure to leave you in awe. You can choose from Monaco, Cannes, St. Tropez, and Nice. This is the perfect destination if you would like to splurge on an epic getaway. From luxurious accommodation to incredible restaurants, exclusive beach clubs to high-end shopping, there are many ways to have an indulgent vacation. As you will be booking at the last minute, you should be able to get some amazing deals on hotel rooms, where you’ll be able to experience the luxury for a fraction of the cost. You can also charter your own yacht and go sailing at your own pace. This is a good choice for sun worshippers who are looking for the perfect August escape.
South West England
This part of the UK is composed of nine different areas, each with their own promise of making your August holiday memorable – Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, The Cotswolds, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, and Bath.
If you want to see charming towns and quaint villages, The Cotswolds should be on the top of the list. On the other hand, if you are looking for sun, sea, and sand, the coastal towns of Dorset and Cornwall will make great picks.
August is probably the best time to visit these places as you are in with more chance of sunshine, but still be prepared for rain. If you are planning a tour of England then you should definitely include at least some of the areas of the South West in your itinerary.
Lisbon, Portugal
The glorious and sunny days of August will be the perfect time to explore Lisbon. The capital city of Portugal offers a long list of attractions. Among others, the hilly neighborhood of Alfama and waterfront neighborhood of Belem are some of the best places.
When it comes to iconic attractions, meanwhile, some that should be part of your itinerary include Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Igreja de Sao Vicente de Fora, and Aqueduto das Aguas Livres. The tramway in Lisbon, used by both locals and tourists alike, provides a fun way to get around and explore this beautiful city.
Your Say
Where are you headed this August?