Where to go in August

There is only one reason to visit Edinburgh in August: the Fringe. This is the most expensive time of the year to plan a trip to Edinburgh (especially when it comes to Edinburgh hotels) but it’s one that you have to experience at least once. It feels like the world descends on Edinburgh for a month-long celebration of theatre, performance art and comedy. How did it come to be? The first Edinburgh Festival took place in 1947 and only 8 theatre companies didn’t make the final bill. Undeterred, they banded together to make their own festival, on the fringe, and thus the famous festival was born.

Today, it’s the largest performing arts festival in the world. Grab a program, scout out the ticket offices for free and last-minute tickets and take in the atmosphere on the streets, lined with performers doing off-the-cuff plays.

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One top tip for Edinburgh in August: be prepared for anything (weather-wise). Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.

Norway’s capital heats up come August has a spectacular cultural programme that’s not to be missed. Fancy a city break this summer? Oslo will be just the ticket. It’s small enough to explore on foot in a few days, with plenty of world-class museums, parks and sights to keep you busy for well beyond just a weekend.

Trying to narrow down which museums to visit is a dizzying task, but we recommend not missing Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery. The city’s café culture will keep your hunger at bay between exhibitions, shopping and perhaps even a bit of hiking or sailing. An afternoon exploring Vigeland Park is also a must, to see the open-air gallery of Norway’s favourite sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. When night-time falls, take you pick from Oslo’s lively bar scene, an opera performance at the very modern Opera House or a jazz or indie rock concert downtown.

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Summers in Oslo are great! Expect mild and pleasant weather, with frequent hot spells in August and long, sunny days.

Who doesn’t want to spend a week hanging about with some lemurs in Madagascar’s rainforests, deserts and on its beaches? If you classify yourself as a nature and outdoor lover, then Madagascar is the perfect adventure destination for your summer holidays. August is right in the middle of the cool and dry season, when it’s pleasant to visit most of the island (the central highlands can get pretty cold this time of the year).

What’s waiting for you on your trip to Madagascar? 5,000km of coastline, 450km of barrier reef, 250 islands… The coast is enough to fill an entire trip and travellers who like to scuba dive will have plenty to keep them busy. National parks and charming villages dot the interior. Don’t miss a drive down the Avenue of the Baobabs, a highlight for many travellers at any time of day but especially at sunset.

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August falls in the middle of Madagascar's cool and dry season, the best for touring this incredible country, with little chance of rain.

August bank holiday is your last chance to getaway before autumn arrives. Don’t waste it bumming around London or elsewhere at home, pounce on the chance to get a real dose of Vitamin D on the Croatian seaside; Dubrovnik is the perfect choice! Whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting, this city never ceases to impress. The marbled streets and baroque architecture create a world-class setting for your sand and sun escape. After taking in the sights of the city like the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral, head uphill to catch the view from the top of the cable car.

Next, it’s off to the seaside! Paddle out by kayak to Betina, a cave beach, and snorkel your day away. Take a ferry out to Lokrum Island for some fabulous swimming from its rocky beaches. For something a bit sandier, Banje Beach near the 17th century Lazareti is the perfect spot for laying down your towel. Beach, bay, cave or cove, Dubrovnik has all your summer sea needs met.

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Pack the scrappy sandals and sun hats for your trip to Croatia in August. The days are long and hot, so you'll want to spend most of your time beach-side.

Ecuador, being a vast and varied country, can be enjoyed any time of the year, but the most popular months to visit are between June and September, when most of the country enjoys sunny and clear days. Now all you need to do is decide what to see and do while you’re here! Touch down either in Cuenca or Quito, the country’s two history centres, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Expect cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial mansions and beautiful 17th century churches an beautiful historic hotels.

The Andes are the perfect setting for some outdoor fun. Hike your way from village to village, or go the quicker route via mountain bike. Surfing off the Pacific coast is an unforgettable experience. For wildlife, look no further than the Galapagos Islands (a trip all on their own) or the Amazon rainforest, where you can stay in a lodge and spend your days looking for monkeys, toucans, dolphins, anacondas and more. Remember your trip with a beautiful hand-woven blanket or scarf from a traditional handicraft market.

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Ecuador enjoys more tropical weather along the coasts and in the Amazon, and cooler temperatures inland and in the mountains. August is in Ecuador's dry season, so there won't be any heavy rainfalls to worry about.

A weeklong trip to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is exactly what you’ll need to finish off the summer with a bang. Set your sights on Antalya, the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast. It’s the perfect stylish city to base yourself for your trip to Turkey’s Riviera. For a traditional touch, book yourself into a restored Ottoman house in the city’s historic district of Kaleiçi. You’ll find spectacular beaches peppering the coast here, but for something secluded, you’ll have to wander a bit further away from Antalya.

If you need a break from all the sand and sun, you don’t have to travel far with a Turkey car hire to discover the ancient cities of Xanthos, Arykanda and Letoön. The ornate tombs carved into cliffs at Tlos and Myra are something extraordinary. For those looking for a more active trip, the Lycian Way trail offers some 500km of hiking along the coast, through Turkey’s pine forests. The endless azure sea is hard to get tired of, so enjoy every last moment of it.

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Summers in Turkey are divine. You won't see a drop of rain and the days are endlessly sunny and hot, ideal for trips to the beach when the Aegean and the Mediterraneans Seas are warm.