As August arrives and the height of the summer kicks in it’s time to take a well-earned break. Whether you want a couple’s trip or an all-out family affair, check out our list of the best holiday destinations in August.
Italy
Postcard-perfect scenery, golden beaches and cities packed with ancient sites are just a few of the delights you’ll find in Italy. Whether you want to cruise around Venice by gondola, trek to the top of Mount Vesuvius, or soak up the sights along the Amalfi Coast, the options for things to do are seemingly endless.
August is the month when the Italians take their holidays and when Italy has lots of hot sunshine, guaranteed. If you’re looking for coastal resorts you’ll find them at their busiest and best, while if you want to explore cities like Rome, it can be one of the best times to go as most of the locals are away.
The Amalfi Coast is one of the best holiday destinations in August, offering a bewitching blend of beauty, drama and allure. Located along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, this 50-kilometer stretch of coastline is one of the prettiest in the entire Mediterranean region. There are quaint towns perched on sheer cliffs, and a rugged shoreline dotted with sandy beaches and pastel-coloured fishing villages. Aside from its dazzling views, the area has a lot to offer with great restaurants, chic boutiques and grand holiday villas around every corner.
Another top holiday destination in August is Lake Como, popular with couples, families and the traveling elite. Located in the northern Lombardy region, this upscale area is set against the foothills of the Alps, with deep blue waters and rugged scenery all around. There are historic hillside towns to explore, as well as pretty shingle beaches for sunbathing, and all sorts of boat trips around the lake. August is a busy month in Lake Como, but if you avoid staying in the touristy towns like Bellagio your holiday won’t be affected by the hubbub.
If you want to head away from the coast then the capital city of Rome is a great holiday destination in August. Yes it will be darn hot, but the summer is one best times to visit as it’s quieter due to many of the locals being away on summer break. History can be found around every corner, from the towering Colosseum and the piazzas to Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel. There are plenty of other highlights too, including an abundance of shopping plazas, restaurants, nightlife venues and cultural attractions.
See our Italy villasCape Coral, Florida
August is one of Florida’s hottest months, making Cape Coral on the Gulf of Mexico a more appealing destination than the sweltering theme park capital. Known as one of the best holiday destinations in August for families, Cape Coral offers an array of charms with its renowned beaches, its verdant golf courses and its fun family attractions.
Located near Fort Myers just a stone’s throw from the glittering Gulf of Mexico, Cape Coral is a vibrant and friendly community with more than 400 miles of canals and waterways perfect for boating, fishing and water sports.
It may be known for its canals, but there’s a lot more to Cape Coral than just the water. There are tons of things to do in Cape itself, it’s also close to Florida’s famous west coast beaches and within driving distance of places like Naples, Miami and even Orlando.
If you enjoy a good game of golf, Cape Coral’s fantastic year-round weather makes it an ideal location to play. One of the best golf courses in Cape Coral is the Coral Oaks course, an 18-hole, Arthur Hills-designed championship course built within beautiful natural surroundings. In addition to the par-72 course, there’s a driving range, a chipping area and a putting green. There’s also a pro shop on site plus a restaurant and a bar.
Cape Coral is one of the best destinations in August for families, with plenty of places to cool off and entertain little ones. The Sun Splash Water Park has 14 acres of water slides, swimming pools and entertainment zones as well as a long boardwalk along the shores of the beautiful Lake Kennedy.
No trip to Cape Coral would be complete without enjoying some retail therapy at the city’s many plazas and shopping malls. And if you’re looking for places to refuel, there are cafés, burger bars, steakhouses and seafood restaurants round almost every corner. After dark, Cape comes alive with an abundance of laid-back sports bars, live music venues and posh cocktail lounges along the waterfront.
See our Cape Coral villasCabo, Mexico
Located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo is famed for its excellent beaches, great water sports and vibrant nightlife. Hailed as one of the best places to travel in August for weather, you’ll find constant sunshine throughout the month and an abundance of things to do.
Cabo is comprised primarily of two towns, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. These are linked by a 20-mile stretch of coast known as the ‘Tourist Corridor’, a highway region lined with expansive beaches, world-class golf courses and luxury villa resorts, which easily connects both towns.
Cabo San Lucas is the main town for holidaymakers, and it’s one of the best places to travel in August for families and couples alike. It’s famous for its vast beach, Playa El Medano, and for the ‘Land’s End’ area with its natural archway in the sea cliffs where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet.
The vibe in Cabo San Lucas is upscale, with a world-class marina, countless luxury villa resorts, and famous annual events like the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. Other highlights include horse riding, snorkeling, and jet skiing at the beach, world-class shopping, great restaurants, luxury spas and a buzzing nightlife scene.
Golf-wise, some of Mexico’s best courses are in the Cabo San Lucas region. The Cabo del Sol Ocean Course designed by Jack Nicklaus is ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the world and boasts dramatic vistas of desert, mountain and sea. The Quivira Golf Club, also designed by Jack Nicklaus is located in a spectacular setting at the tip of the Baja Peninsula is marked by sheer granite cliffs, huge windswept dunes and rolling desert foothills just 10 minutes from Cabo San Lucas.
See our Cabo villasOrlando, Florida
Orlando is hot and humid throughout the summer months, but it’s still one of the best holiday destinations in August for families. The warm climate is a major draw – so are the world-famous golf courses, shopping malls and nightlife.
Known by many as the ‘Theme Park Capital of the World’, Orlando lives up to its name with a countless array of amazing theme parks and attractions. The major parks are Disney World, Universal and Legoland, then there are the water parks, the shopping districts and the entertainment complexes – the list could go on forever. Yes they get stuffy in August, so make sure you pack sunscreen, and check out our top tips for the best time to visit Disney World.
If you want to head away from the theme parks, then Orlando offers plenty more besides. There’s Downtown Orlando with its many parks, shopping malls and skyscrapers. There’s the International Drive area too, home to the i-Drive 360 complex where you can ride the iconic The Wheel at ICON Park.
For golf, there are endless must-play courses in Orlando including 3 signature-designed courses at Reunion Resort and 2 top Greg Norman courses at Championsgate resort.
Beaches may be high on your vacation wish list in August, so you’ll be pleased to know it’s a direct drive from Orlando to Florida’s innumerable east and west coast beaches.
If you’re visiting Florida for the wildlife, highlights include Weeki Wachee Springs, a stunning natural spring with a water park and regular ‘mermaid’ swimming shows. You’ll also love Blue Spring Park, where you can pet wild Florida manateed, or go swimming, boating and fishing.
Further afield is the Everglades National Park, a few hours’ drive south of Orlando, while if you prefer rockets and astronauts, don’t miss a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center where you can see a space shuttle up close.
See our Orlando villasSouth of France
Gorgeous beaches, glamorous resorts and scenic countryside are just a few of the things you’ll find in the South of France – one of the best destinations for holidays in August. This vast region is the most popular tourist areas in all of France, including the French Mediterranean coastline and its luscious hinterland.
Perhaps the most famous part of Southern France is the French Riviera or Cote d’Azur, which includes famously glamorous beach resorts like Cannes, Nice and Saint Tropez.
August marks the peak of the summer season in Southern France, with long, hot sun-filled days characterising the month. Daily temperatures in the coastal resorts like Nice sit at around 80F, with hotter temperatures as you head inland.
Not only does Nice offers lots of summer sun, it also boasts a perfect balance of contemporary chic and old-world charm. You’ll find yacht-filled marinas and chic boutiques, world-class restaurants and nightlife and a heady dose of art, architecture and culture. For sightseeing head to the Promenade des Anglais, aka the Mediterranean Champs-Elysees. There’s also the labyrinth-like old town with its great restaurants and bars.
Another popular spot is Cannes, hailed as one of the best summer holiday destinations in all of Europe. You can’t fail to be impressed by the beautiful beaches, couture shops, and Ferrari-lined streets. There are also palatial homes, gorgeous buildings and liner-sized yachts moored at the port.
For somewhere more rural, the historic village of Grimaud is located just a few kilometers inland from glamorous St Tropez. This picture-perfect ‘perched’ village occupies a lofty hillside location, with a cluster of stonewalled houses and an ancient castle perched on the top. Be sure to see the Rue des Templiers, the town’s famous 16th century castle, and the fascinating ruins of the Grimaud chateau dating back to the 11th century.
If you’re thinking of booking a holiday in August and you need advice on the best places to stay then contact us today. Additionally, our dedicated concierge team can arrange any added extras you need such as great value car hire and attraction tickets.
