- Q: What types of activities can travelers enjoy in August destinations?
- A: Travelers can soak up the sun on perfect beaches, get active on land or sea, or spend time learning about history, culture, and the arts.
- Q: Is there a perfect destination for everyone?
- A: Yes, there is a perfect August destination waiting to welcome every type of traveler.
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1. Portland, Maine
Offering a good mix of vacation activities combined with museums, cultural, and historical sites, Portland, Maine is an ideal summer vacation destination. You can get a good sense of the atmosphere of the city when you visit quaint Commercial Street, a cobbled waterside street lined with shops, restaurants, and vintage architecture. For an altogether different perspective, you can hop aboard a Casco Bay Lines tour or choose to explore the downtown on a vintage trolley tour. Active visitors can combine exercise and sightseeing on a Summer Feet Cycling Adventure, while marine life enthusiasts can sign up for an Odyssey Whale Watch expedition to see whales, dolphins, and an abundance of sea birds. To add a helping of culture you can visit the Portland Museum of Art and the Portland Arts District or attend the Portland Symphony Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium.
2. Amsterdam
Amsterdam in the Netherlands is a great choice for a culturally rewarding summer vacation, offering an enchanting city that appears to “float” along the banks of its many canals. You can get a great overview of the city on one of the popular canal cruises before setting off to explore some of the city’s world-class museums. Art lovers can feast their eyes on works by several of the Grand Masters, including Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt van Rijn, and many more, and you will find a plethora of interesting and quirky museums to visit, including the Cheese Museum, the Tulip Museum, and the Houseboat Museum. Renting a bicycle and exploring the city on two wheels is a very popular activity, and when the sun sets the vibrant nightlife commences.
3. Bad Ischl, Austria
The Austrian town of Bad Ischl is better known as a popular winter sport destination, but a visit during August will give you the chance to join the locals as they celebrate the birthday of the late Emperor Franz Joseph I. The celebrations continue for about a week and include horse parades, costumes, music, and loads of nostalgia. Outside of the celebration week you can go on a guided tour of the impressive Imperial Villa. The town offers great hiking and biking trails in the Zalzkammergut Mountains and Kaiser Park. Non-hikers can take a scenic cable car ride to the top of Zalzkammergut on the Katrin Cable Car for wonderful views. Bad Ischl boasts several spas and wellness resorts where you can relax and enjoy the benefits of the natural thermal waters.
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
August is an ideal month for outdoor enthusiasts to visit wonderful Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The cape is an arm-shaped peninsula that juts into the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by 400 miles of shoreline dotted with quaint little seaside towns, stunning beaches, and dozens of lighthouses. You can spend your days soaking up the sun or tour the very scenic area by bike or car, stopping along the way to explore and enjoy fresh lobster rolls. Besides the many outdoor activities on offer, you can also spend time admiring the vibrant art scene, visiting a few of the many museums in the area, or taking a day-trip by ferry to nearby Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.
5. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland is a fascinating city to explore and should feature on everyone’s summer vacation list. You can learn about Dublin by joining a guided tour or by following one of the Discovery Trails –download the app, which will guide you and allow you to see all the sights that interest you at your own pace. Some of the highlights of Dublin include the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College and the famous Guinness Storehouse, where you can see exactly how the country’s most famous drink is made. Whiskey lovers should not miss visiting the Jameson and Teeling distilleries to see how their favorite tipple is produced. The city has a vibrant nightlife and you should spend at least one evening enjoying traditional Irish music in Temple Bar, a street filled with restaurants and bars featuring live music.
6. Geneva, Switzerland
Many people think of Switzerland as a winter destination, but an August visit to Geneva can be very rewarding, offering lovely warm weather and plenty of interesting attractions. The city boasts some exceptional museums, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the International Museum of the Reformation, and the marvelous Patek Philippe Museum, which is dedicated to showcasing Swiss watchmaking. Art lovers can explore up to 60 art galleries and architecture enthusiasts can join a walking tour of the Old Town. You can enjoy excellent shopping and dining, and there are good opportunities for hiking and cycling close by, all against the backdrop of Lake Geneva and snow-covered Mont Blanc.
7. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
August is an ideal month to visit Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, as many attractions are impossible to access in winter. One of the most memorable ways to see this fantastic park is from the water, either on a tour boat or using your own private craft or even a kayak or canoe. The smaller tour boats can get really close to the fascinating glaciers and you can look forward to seeing a wide variety of wildlife unique to the area, including puffins, eagles, whales, and bears. You can also go hiking along several trails in Bartlett Cove, join a ranger-led excursion, and visit the interesting visitors center.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
An August get-away to wonderful Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee is an excellent choice for families who love the Great Outdoors. Summer is the ideal time for hiking the large network of trails, which include options for all levels of fitness and even some gentle walks perfect for younger children to enjoy. To fully appreciate the park, you should try and stay for at least a few days – bring along a tent or RV and explore at your leisure – campsite reservations are suggested as sites fill up quickly in August. Other activities in the park include wildlife watching, scenic drives, fishing, and ranger-led excursions.
9. Inverness, Scotland
Inverness, Scotland is located in the Highlands of northern Scotland and a summer visit is ideal for exploring the beautiful landscape and immersing yourself in all the tourist attractions. Walkers, cyclists, and hikers can enjoy exploring the shores of famous Loch Ness (you may perhaps spot the famous Nessie?) along the South Loch Ness Trail or opt to follow the Great Glen Way. Inverness is also your gateway to some of Scotland’s best Highland distilleries – you can hire a car to explore the wonderful Malt Whiskey Trail as well as many historic attractions, castles, and battlefields along the way, or leave the driving to someone else and join a guided tour.
10. Vermont, USA
The northeastern state of Vermont, USA is probably best known for its wonderful ski resorts, but locals can tell you about all wonderful summer recreational activities that could make Vermont ideal for your August vacation. The entire region offers a marvelously scenic landscape you can explore along a vast network of hiking, cycling, and mountain biking trails. If you are not up to such strenuous sightseeing, you can see the region from the comfort of your car or RV along several scenic drives – camping is very popular in the summer months. The many waterways offer great canoeing, kayaking, paddling, and fishing. Those who prefer a more culturally rewarding vacation will find many outstanding historical sites, museums, art galleries, and live performances to keep them busy.
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