Where to go on holiday in August

holidays August 2012 holiday ideas August Where to go on holiday in August

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

August is the busiest holiday month of the year. Airports are crowded, resorts are hot and prices tend to be high. But if you have school-age children this is probably when you’ll be taking your annual fortnight in the sun.

If you want deals it’s best to wait until the end of August. Most people want to travel early in the month, so prices are higher. If you can wait until the last week you’ll find prices come down significantly.

The Mediterranean is the most popular place to go on holiday in August, but if you don’t like the heat – or you want to experience a different kind of holiday – you should consider going north to Scandinavia, Iceland or the Baltics.

Another option is to stay in the UK. Although the August weather has been variable over the past couple of years, the standards of UK holidays is increasing and the money you save on flights can be invested in high-quality accommodation.

Should you book early or wait for a deal? If you have children, or have booked certain dates off work, this is a time of year when it pays to book early. You simply can’t risk disappointment. If you are flexible, you can usually pick up some late deals, although the choice is not always great. Here are my tips on where to go in August. If you have children, see our recommended family holidays in August.

Cheap holidays in August Where to go in August

UK holidays in August

In the rush to discover holiday destinations abroad it’s easy to neglect the perennial charms of the Isle of Wight or a boating holiday on one of the many waterways that criss-cross the UK. Rent a cruiser or narrowboat (they sleep between 2 and 12) and stop for lunches at welcoming pubs.

Another great option is a self-catering cottage in the Cotswolds, Devon or Cornwall. Also see this selection of good-value cottage holidays across the UK.

You could nip across to the white sand beaches and palm trees of the Scilly Isles where we recommend the Star Castle Hotel. If you’re looking for self-catering apartments in Cornwall, we recommend Hawke’s Point.

Our recommended UK hotels include Gilpin Lodge in the Lake District, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath and Pentre Mawr Country House in the majestic North Wales countryside. For families we suggest Sands Resort in North Cornwall.

In Wales, Sheepskin has a charming range of stylish self-catering cottages. If you’re going on holiday in August with a large group you could rent a large house in the UK or a Downton Abbey-style stately home.

If you’re on a budget check out one of our recommended B&Bs in gorgeous West Dorset. Or you can go camping in style in retro-style tents with wooden floors at Feather Down Farms in 20 farm locations across the country or sleep in a well-equipped and spacious log cabin set in the Forest of Dean or the North Yorkshire Moors.

For something really different, how about a stay in a lighthouse.

Need a quick escape? From London you are within easy reach of Maison Talbooth in Constable Country. Or head to the capital and stay in an upscale London home, rather than a hotel.

The Edinburgh Festival takes place throughout August and it’s a great time to visit the city and catch a few shows. Stay at one of these four excellent hotels in central locations. You can also find a wide range of short breaks in Scotland including whisky tours on Islay, and the chance to see Minke Whales, otters, seals, porpoises on a Mull Wildlife Experience.

Want more tips on where to go in August without flying? Find more UK holiday ideas.

France holidays in August

August is a great month to slip across the Channel and enjoy the classic charms of France in the summer. It’s not easy to find cheap holidays in August, but families on a budget should head to a holiday parc in Brittany.

On the Atlantic coast of France you’ll find great-value villas and cottages, many with private pools. This region is much less expensive than more crowded tourist spots in France, and there’s a great selection of places to stay including a cottage with a private pool, a Charentais farmhouse and a 19th century villa. Alternatively, enjoy a foodie holiday at a classic hotel in Normandy.

If you feel a bit more energetic, take a gentle cycling holiday in France.

Find more ideas for cheap holidays in August 2012.

beach holidays in August

Mediterranean beach holidays in August

In August we generally prefer a private villa with pool rather than a busy resort. We recommend the coast of Catalonia for fishing villages, pretty coves and mountains, and Paxos, a wonderfully lazy, quiet Greek island. Gozo – little sister to neighbouring Malta – is a beautiful island ideal for exploring and lazing in local cafes.

For beach holidays in August, go to the Costa de la Luz in the south-west corner Spain, or the superb French island of Corsica. On the Balaeric islands of Mallorca and Ibiza you will find beautiful rural villages, quiet beaches and great villas. Don’t forget neighbouring Menorca which has many unspoilt coves and small resorts. See the latest villa deals.

Mainland Italy is great in August. Away from the crowds, Le Marche has magnificent countryside and lovely villas. Or head south to Puglia – the heel of the boot – to stay in a luxury self-catering trullo with pool.

The Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia are busy in August, but you won’t be disappointed by the beaches, some of the best in the Med. Try Forte Village in Sardinia or Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily. Also in Italy, the Amalfi Coast is delightful, and Umbria is a feast of culture and natural beauty.

Other top tips include the family-friendly Sani Resort on mainland Greece, villas in Crete or a gulet cruise off the coast of Turkey. Crete is also home to the gorgeous contemporary Daios Cove hotel.

If money is no object, try a luxury staffed villas in the Med. Each property has a private pool and comes with an experienced chef, host and the services of a fully-qualified nanny.

See our selection of the best Mediterranean holidays, and our recommended holidays in Spain.

Activity holidays in August

If you don’t want to lie on a beach, how about a walking holiday in the splendid mountain countryside of northern Spain. You can also enjoy the stunning beaches and charming villages of Northern Spain by in a staying in a self-catering cottage or traditional small hotel. It’s a beautiful and much-neglected part of Europe, and great value.

The Alps in summer offer great weather, clean air, low humidity and off-season prices. There are freshwater lakes where you can swim or do watersports. We recommend a stay near the lake at Annecy or Evian, or in the mountains in Les Deux Alpes. Or get a low-season deal at Sir Richard Branson’s The Lodge, Verbier.

Over the border in Italy, you have the majestic setting of the Italian Lakes where the weather is ideal for both lounging on beaches and sightseeing.

If your interests are more cultural and you enjoy walking with like-minded people, take a cultural walking tour or join a group of like-minded enthusiasts on an escorted archaeological tour.

In the Mediterranean, take a cruise on a traditional Turkish gulet, visiting secluded bays and cultural sites in the company of an expert guide. Destinations include the coast of Turkey, the Greek islands and Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

In the UK, you can try a range of watersports and sailing at the Cotswold Water Park Hotel.

If you’ve never seen a meteor shower, go to Jordan to experience the amazing spectacle of the Perseids meteor shower at a desert camp in Wadi Rum.

A sailing holiday is a great way to enjoy the summer sun without getting too hot under the collar. My fellow editor David Wickers is an expert on sailing and cruising. See his top 10 best sailing holidays.

Family holiday ideas in August

Where to go on holiday in August if you want something special for children? How about a family cruise. You can sail from Southampton and explore the Med with plenty on board to keep the kids amused.

You could teach your kids the ropes on a sailing holiday at Club Vounaki in Greece, or enjoy some watersports at Lakitira Beach resort.

If you’re on a budget, here are some great ideas for family holidays in August. You could head to the mountains for an Alpine Adventure, try some upmarket camping at a siblu village in France or stay at one of 35 family holiday parks on the British coast. We’ve also got great family holidays in Turkey and great value villas with private pools in the French Vendée. Or hop across the Channel for a camping holiday in Europe.

If you’re travelling with a large group of friends or families, rent a large house. The Big Domain has a great collection of houses, villas and chalets in the UK and overseas, by the sea, in cities and in the countryside.

For more inspiration, see our selection of the best family holidays in August.

Long haul holidays in August

August is a great time to enjoy the beaches of Mauritius and the Seychelles. In Kenya the wildebeest migration is in full flow, making this a fascinating time to take a safari.

Alternatively you could go gorilla tracking in Rwanda or splash out on a safari holiday in Botswana. August is also a good month to explore Namibia where you’ll find a fascinating land of vast desert dunes, the Skeleton Coast and world-class wildlife reserves.

In Asia, the Thai island of Koh Samui is at its best in our summer, as is Tanjong Jara Resort on the east coast of peninsula Malaysia. It’s a good time to be in Borneo where you can visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and experience the thrill of an overnight climb of Mount Kinabalu.

Across the Atlantic, explore the Canadian Rockies where you can take a classic train ride, drive through the mountains or join a wildlife tour. Most regions of Canada are suitable for an August holiday, but the Eastern provinces of Québec and Ontario are particularly suited to a fly-drive. Find more holiday ideas and special offers to Canada.

This is also a great time of year to visit the elegant resorts of Cape Cod. You could take a 14-night New England & Cape Cod fly-drive.

If you want to laze on some of the world’s most pristine beaches, head for Bermuda which is at its sunny best in our summer. Check into luxury Elbow Beach or the family-friendly Fairmont Southampton.

Australia is not just for our winter. The north of the country is perfect for a fortnight in August, staying in the Kimberley, staying at working cattle stations followed perhaps by a luxury island resort on the Great Barrier reef.

This is the time of year to climb mystical Mount Fuji in Japan. It’s one of many amazing Japan holiday ideas though you won’t want to miss the stunning sights, sounds and smells of Tokyo.

Head north

August is a great month to head north to enjoy long sunny days and beautiful unspoilt scenery. We recommend a holiday to Iceland or a short break in the capital, Reykjavik. There are some great adventure tours and special offers.

If you enjoy David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet on BBC TV as much as we did, why not embark on an Arctic cruise in a small expedition ship that will get you up close to polar bears, beluga whales, seals and reindeer. You can go kayaking and spend happy hours gazing at glaciers and immense northern skies.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.