Where should I visit in August?

It sounds cliché to say, but 2016 is going so fast. Here we are in August with summer beginning to wrap up and autumn not that far away – and everyone looking to squeeze in a final summer break before the routine starts to fall on us again. However, August can be a funny one for holidays as summer is just about to close but the cold UK winter hasn’t quite set in either, leaving a debate in people’s minds on where to travel to during this seasonal change. If you have some time off work in August, however, here are our top 5 recommendations.

Channel Islands

If you’re looking for a quick family break before the kids go back to school, the Channel Islands are a great low-key choice. With the turquoise waters, champagne-coloured sand and a francophone atmosphere – you’ll feel as though you’re holidaying in southern Europe (even though you’re only an hour from London).

European Lakes

Europe as a whole is still bright and sunny in August, and most Mediterranean destinations are still at their peak. However, if you’re looking for something quieter and more relaxed we recommend any of the beautiful scenic lakes in central Europe. The French, German, Swiss, Slovenian and Italian lakes are all lovely in August and – even better – the main tourist crowd has settled down.

Cairns and Queensland

Australia has a reputation for being humid and wet during our summer, but Queensland is an exception. It’s an area of Australia that is hot all year round, and August falls within its dry season (daily temperatures are 26.5°C and many Australia who live in the south travel to Cairns for their own winter break).

Vancouver

We mentioned in our July destination round-up that Canada as a whole is a great holiday option for summer – but Vancouver itself is lovely in August. Its coastal location means that its summer days are more crisp than humid and the scenic views are framed beautifully by the late summer sunset.

Berlin

Berlin is a great city break option at any time of year, but August offers a full cultural calendar. The city’s beloved International Beer Festival takes place this month as well as the acclaimed Dance in August, one of Europe’s most important contemporary dance festivals.