Best Countries To Visit In August

August is the month of transition, the month in-between, the month that leaves behind one season and embraces another; at least in most parts of the world. Tourism wise, this month becomes extremely significant because it really is an off-season for most destinations, hence making for cheaper travel, accommodation, food and everything else. Not to mention less crowd. In most Northern Hemisphere countries, August is the end of summer and the beginnings of the faintest whisper of autumn, while in the southern hemisphere, it makes for the end of winter. 

If you are looking at August to plan a leisure holiday, with lots of options for exploring a new corner of the world, here is a list of top countries that you should visit in August, each with its own charm. Be it the quaint sea side of French Riviera or the canals and gardens of Netherlands, Europe’s wonder of Switzerland or the romantic Austria, Malaysia or Mauritius, you are bound to fall in love with more than a few places on this list.

French Riviera

Better known as Côte d’Azur or the ‘coast of Azure,’ the French Riviera is a beautiful seaside settlement on the Mediterranean coast of France. Renowned for the yearly Cannes Festival it hosts and a line of celebrities that are found milling in its paradise, French Riviera is a perfect August retreat, with a beautiful mediterranean climate, bright sunny days and lots of summery air. The French Riviera also includes some plush beach resorts like Saint-tropez, Cannes and Monaco.

Things to Do:

Go for a health retreat to the micro state of Monaco, which has been one since the 18th Century. Stroll down the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, with the best brands of the French couture on display. Roquebrune-Cap-St-Martin is an idyllic holiday spot, suffused with a charming old village on the hill, with chic resorts on the seaside and the richly elegant casino of Monte Carlo. You must spend a night at Monet Carlo, if not really gambling, then just soaking in the night lights and the sheer atmosphere. There is also the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its beautiful gardens for a long walk, the cobbled streets of charming Antibes and the markets of Nice called the 'Cours Saleya.' The pebbled beaches are also amazing spots for relaxation in Nice. 

How to Reach: 

To fly into French Riviera, you will have to choose Nice as it has an International airport (Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur). Air France and British Airways ply daily connecting flights into Nice with stops in cities like London and Paris, while Brussels Airs and Air France operate connecting flights from Mumbai as well as Delhi to Nice. You can also drive into Nice from Italy. Or you can drive down from Paris (950 km). There are also extensive rail networks connecting various European cities, including Paris, to Nice by the high-speed TGV train.

Netherlands

Netherlands is beautiful country, made up of rolls of windmills and canals, tulip gardens and art museums, trails of Van Gogh and Anne Frank, and the fresh breezy air for new tourists. August becomes a good month to visit this country, especially its capital city of Amsterdam, because it hosts a number of festivals during the month. The weather is, as in any west European country in the end of summer, very amiable, with long sunny days and warm climate.

Things to Do:

Explore some of the most beautiful, undiscovered cities of Netherlands, like Rotterdam and The Hague. You can also hire a bicycle and ride down the country side to breathe in all the amazing scenery. In Amsterdam itself, there is so much to do, from exploring the many canals and taking rides to visiting the museums dedicated to Anne Frank (yes, the Jewish girl from World War II whose diary the world has read and wept over), to Van Gogh as well as admire the trail left behind by the artwork of Rembrandt. Also don’t forget to visit Zaanse Schans, the sedate open air museum in the midst of a traditional Dutch village. The Tulip gardens might not be in full bloom at this point but you should definitely take a walk down the Garden of Europe.

Some major festivals to look forward to in August in Netherlands are Haarlem Culinair, The Gay Pride (celebrated with a canal parade and lots of colours) and the Sneekweek festival in Friesland.

How to Reach: 

Amsterdam is a rich tourist destination and hence enjoys great connectivity to almost all major cities of the world via air. If travelling from India, then Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi ply regular flights to this city of tulips with British Airways, Emirates and Etihad as major players. Once in Netherlands, you can use domestic flights or trains to commute across the country and all of Europe. But bicycles are still the best, the most 'Dutch' way to commute in Netherlands.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a major island country with tourism delight in the Malay Peninsula, sharing borders with Singapore and Thailand. With its wild mix of tropical beaches and the marvels of futuristic cities like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a destination for tourists of all types. During August especially, which forms one of the best months to visit Malaysia, the weather is perfect, with average temperature of 27°C, very little rain and lots of sunshine. 

Things to Do:

When in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur should be your first and longest stop to discover the magic of what the future holds. With its sights, tall towers like the Petronas, bridges, shopping paradises and yummy food, you are bound to want to extend your trip. For a beach retreat pack up and move to Langkawi, a collection of islands off the coast of Malaysia, that is ideal for beach babies. The seafood, sunbathing and lots of beach walks by the cobalt sea are going to rejuvenate you. If you are an animal lover and safari is your thing, head to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. For some quiet, quaint lessons in history and architecture, there is the historic town of Malacca, that houses the beauty of architecture left by Portuguese colonisers. 

How to Reach:

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is your first destination if you are flying into this country from almost anywhere in the world. Malaysian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sri Lankan Airlines ply regular flights from India to Malaysia. Internally in Malaysia, the old International Airport of Malaysia, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, caters to domestic flights now. You can also use Malaysian railways or KTM to travel by train (intercity). Buses are another cheap option and cars on hire are always available.

Switzerland

The country of lakes and snow-capped mountains, Switzerland is renowned worldwide for its cheeses, chocolates and breath-taking sceneries. It is a mountainous region in Central Europe and is home to the imposing Alps and many many amazing lakes. The country sees very cold winters and mildly warm summers, with August seeing the last of summery heat. You can expect warm days and cool nights, with dry climate for a great outdoorsy holiday.  

Things to Do:

Visit the many cities of Switzerland, including Zurich, Basel, Geneva, and the capital Bern. Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s Wooden chapel bridge are some famous tourist spots. Go sightseeing at Interlaken, visit Mt. Titlis and don’t miss the famous Titlis walk. Paddle boarding in Lake Geneva and rides at Rhine falls make up for more adventure, as does admiring Chillon Castle and cable car rides across Matterhorn in Zermatt. Explore Pilatus and go paragliding and skiing at Jungfrau.

Don't miss the renowned swiss chocolates, cheeses, Raclette and Rosti. The Swiss are also known for producing amazing watches and they make for some very personal (even though a little expensive) souvenirs for dear ones. 

How to Reach: 

You can fly into Zurich, Geneva, or Basel airports from almost anywhere in the world, including India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore). Jet Airways, Air India, Oman Air, Emirates and British Airways run regular direct and connecting flights from India to the Swiss country. For internal transport, Switzerland is very well-connected by trains, to all of Europe. You can also hire cars or take domestic flights.

Mauritius

A beach paradise, Mauritius is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, renowned all over for its pristine glittering sands, cobalt waters and lots of touristy things to do. With a pleasant average temperature of 23°C and clearer skies, August is an ideal month to plan your trip to Mauritius. The country sees only 6 days of rainfall and lots of sunshine, almost 8 hours a day, in this month. 

Things to Do:

Beaches are only the tip of the iceberg of all the fun that Mauritius is. There is much more to do. You can visit the Bois Cheri Tea Plantations, go scuba diving and kite surfing in Belle Mare, snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park and go cave sea kayaking in Albion Caves. What's more is, you get to ride horses into sunset at Riambel Beach and experience luxury yatch rides and cruises. There is Mauritius National Botanical Garden for plant lovers, Tamarin Bay for dolphin watching and the coveted underwater sea walk at Grand Bay. If you are ready to splurge a little, you can also go for a seaplane ride at Albatross. 

How to Reach:

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance, about 50 km away from Mauritus’ capital city of Port Louis becomes your landing spot when coming in from a foreign land. Regular flights like Jet, Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines connect Indian cities to Mauritius daily. Another luxurious choice of travel can be by sea, on any of the International cruise liners sailing through Indian Ocean that make a stop at Mauritius. Internally, you can hire cars, motorbikes and boats to travel.

Canada

The country of the maple leaf and ‘pushovers,’ as they call the good-natured sweet people of this country who would bend backwards to help you, Canada is a delight. Situated north of the United States of America, with a high propensity for the harsh cold of the North Pole, Canada sees long icy winters, short springs and mildly warm summers. August is one of the warmest months and makes up for a lot of tourism in Canada. With mild days and sunny climes, temperature ranges between 20-26°C, and the country is alive with summer festivals, concerts, seasonal events and outdoor activities.

Things to Do:

August in Canada is perfect for visiting parks since there is plenty to do, from fishing to camping, hiking to sightseeing. Take a tour of Ripley's Aquarium, explore through the Old Quebec and visit the iconic Niagara Falls. There is also the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, the St. Lawrence Market and CN Tower in Toronto for tourists. You can go for Theatre and Arts Festival in Stratford and Saskatoon, have the time of your life at the various concerts of Montreal or enjoy the exquisite snow capped beauty that is Vancouver in this month of August. Osheaga is a three-day music festival, also held in August at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Do check out 'Bard on the Beach,' a Shakespeare performance at nights on the Vanier Park waterfront. 

How to Reach:

Air Canada flights from Mumbai to Toronto, New Delhi to Toronto, and New Delhi to Vancouver are the regular dailies while you can also avail other connecting flights. Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport are two destinations when going from India. For domestic travel, Canada has a very well connected system of rail, subway and buses. You can also hail a taxi or book a car of your choice.

Austria

Austria, known well for its Christmas night markets and the holiday cheer, is also one of the most coveted tourist destinations for the summer too. Austria is almost like a kingdom out of fairytales and blooms with sunny cool days and clear skies in August. The temperature ranges between 19-24°C and there is hardly any rain, with 8 hours of bright sunshine. There are some awe-striking sceneries in this real-life Disneyland, of nature as well as history, cities that are airy and light in the day and lurk with deep, thick tales by night. Austria might be Europe’s smallest country but has some pretty amazing things to do.

Things to Do:

Visit the city of Salzburg, which was the birthplace of Mozart. Vienna is another enrapturing beauty, the historic capital and foremost tourist spot of Austria. There is the Film and Food Festival on Rathausplatz and Summerstage at Danube Canal to enjoy, with wine tasting tours, segway tours and boat rides taking you through Vienna. You must also visit Strandbar Herrmann, a beach that signifies all the warmth of summer in this city. There are a great many shows, live DJ music and Saturday afternoon brunches with special shows for the kids. Also visit the Vienna Hofburg, Salzburg Altstadt, Schönbrunn Palace and Mirabell Palace in Salzburg.

How to Reach:

Austria’s major International Airport is the Schwechat-Flughafen in Vienna.  If going from India, there are flights from major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru as well as Chennai. The carriers include Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India etc. For rail, the Austrian Federal Railways and Eurostar operate a wide range of trains throughout Austria and other neighbouring countries. There are also cross border buses, as well as cars on hire. 

Alaska

Northwest of Canada, lies the white washed state of Alaska, the one that is beautiful in its pure whites of snow and extremely quiet with being the most scarcely populated state of the US. Home to mountains, forests and lots of cold and snow, this state falls very near to the North Pole and is renowned for its abundant adventure sports, wild-life watching, skiing and glacier walks. August is the peak of summer here, with more than 15 hours of daylight, slight rain and night frost. You will also experience the marvellous ‘horizontal rain here (rain that is accompanied by such fierce winds that it feels as if it is raining from the sides). 

Things to Do:

Visit the Denali National Park, home to Mount McKinley, touted as North America’s highest peak. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is another delight for outdoorsy people, as is Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and Hubbard Glacier in Fairbanks. You can also opt for some adventure sports like skiing, mountain biking and kayaking. Since August is the shoulder season (almost the end of tourist season), you might get some great discounts on accommodation and travel. There is also the great Alaska State Fair in this month. Go whale-watching in Juneau, Alaska’s capital, known as the world’s best grounds to watch the humpback whale. 

Saving the best for the last, you also get to watch the Northern Lights! In late August, it’s quite easy to see the aurora borealis in Alaskan skies (luck mostly favours you).

How to Reach:

If you are planning to go to Alaska from India, you can either take a connecting flight from Delhi or Mumbai to Alaska or land in Canada or a US city and then opt for a cruise or another flight. There are state run ferries and luxury cruises that depart Vancouver and British Columbia (Canada) for Southeast Alaska, South-central Alaska and Anchorage. Internally in Alaska, you can always hire a car for your day-to-day tours.

Peru

A dense maze of rainforests and lots of wild animals peculiar to those rainforests, Peru is a beautiful country in the continent of South America, famous for the ancient Incan Valley civilisation city Machu Picchu. During the month of August, the weather in Peru is usually dry. While Machu Picchu is warm and dry; Lima, the capital city of Peru, is cooler because this is the season of winter here. Hence this makes for a great time to visit. 

Things to Do: 

Trek up to Machu Picchu. That should be the first activity on your list in Peru. Since the season is pleasant and dry, your trek will be extremely clear and filled with great sights. Spend your time amid the history and legends being told by the locals and your tour guides. Visit the Sacred Valley and explore Amazon rainforests for the diverse species of flora and fauna. There are also cities like Cuzco and Arequipa that you must explore, not to forget the beautiful city of Lima with its pre-Columbian charm still intact in its architecture, culture and food. You can also experience some thrilling mountaineering at Cordillera Huayhuash. Also, don’t forget to go see the Nazca Lines that are huge, intricate drawings on barren landscapes of Peru’s desert by the coast. You will find them 400 km south of Lima. 

How to Reach:

Jorge Chˆvez International Airport in Lima and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco are two major airports when flying into Peru. When travelling from India (Mumbai or Delhi), there are a ton of aircraft carriers to choose from, namely, American Airlines, Jet Airways, Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa. If you want to take the sea route, then ferries from Tabatinga, Brazil, Leticia and Colombo drop anchor at the city of Iquitos in Peru.

South Africa

Safaris and South Africa have been synonymous for a very long time in the tourism world. And why not, when the country is home to some amazing beaches, fantastic species of wildlife, dense jungles and modern cities. The southernmost country in the continent of Africa, South Africa is best visited from May to September, with August being one of the best months. Since this is the dry season, animals are bound to gather near lakes and waterholes, hence making it easy for tourists to spot them in a safari. Since this is the winter season, days are cool and nights colder. 

Things to Do:

Go for safaris, that is what South Africa is renowned for. Kruger is the flagship park here with quite a few self-drive and budget options. Spot animals such as the patent ‘big five’ - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo and also many more like hippo, antelopes and giraffes. The many parks of South Africa are also home to white rhino, Zebra and black wildebeest. Visit the Table Mountain for hiking and rock climbing, the Cape of Good Hope for the brilliant scenic beauty and a tranquil feeling of touching the tip of this continent, the Robben Island for historic sightseeing and Boulders Beach for a free roaming colony of African Penguins. And Elephant National Park is home to elephants and rhinos, while Sabi Sabi is a game reserve with some great safari opportunities. 

Also, don’t forget to visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, chronicling the fight of South African freedom fighters for independence and equality.

How to Reach:

The two major International Airports in South Africa are Cape Town International Airport and Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. The airways that connect India to South Africa include Kenya Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Jet Airways and Turkish Airlines. If you wish to take the sea route then there are cruise liners docking at major cities here, including Princess Cruise and RMS St. Helena at Cape Town. To get by in the country, you can take the Greyhound or Baz Buses. Trains are also a great option, as is hiring a car. 

Kenya

A wild beautiful country in East Africa, Kenya is home to some amazing wildlife safaris, the grasslands of Savannah and of course, the Great Rift Valley. Kenya is renowned for the annual wildebeest migration here and some of the best national parks that offer you a sneak peak into these beautiful beasts. August is one of the top most tourist months in Kenya as the wildebeests migrate here during this time. This month marks some great dry days, clear skies and less mosquitoes. 

Things to Do:

Wildlife Safaris are all the rage in Kenya, though you will also find some amazing relaxation spots by the palm-tree lined beaches and Nairobi’s luxury hotels. Masai Mara offers you a lot of great sights of animals, including the wildebeests, cheetahs and zebras. Amboseli National Park is known for large herds of elephants, mighty views of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as wildlife like giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and bird species. Some other national parks for safari opportunities are Tsavo East National park, Samburu National Park and Aberdare National Park. There is also the Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru for your adventure lust. Diani Beach and Manda Island offer some luxury relaxing by the shore of Indian Ocean.  

How to Reach: 

Kenya boasts of five major airports, namely, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport, Moi International Airport and Wilson Airport. Kenya Airways has a non-stop flight from Mumbai to Nairobi. Other airlines operating on this route include Jet Airways, Air India, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. For sea-route, the Mombasa-Zanzibar cruises are good. When in Kenya, you can either take buses or use the rail line to get by. Hiring cars is also an option.

Tanzania

Tanzania is home to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Does it need more introduction? 

This amazing African country, known for its wild animals and forests, is one of the top destinations for wildlife and safari enthusiasts. The month of August is quite cool and dry in Tanzania, hence making it ideal for tourists who want to spend hours of mornings and afternoons in open top jeeps and buses on safari. This is also a good time to spot most animals as they are lured out of their habitats to major waterholes in search of water.

Things to Do:

Visit Mount Kilimanjaro and absorb its imposing looming presence. It is the highest peak in Australia and has 3 volcanic cones. You can also enrol to climb this mountain. Another coveted activity here is to embark on a wildlife safari. Visit Serengeti National Park for all kinds of wildlife, Ngorongoro Crater for black rhino and Mount Meru for more adventure. There is also the Zanzibar archipelago with a host of islands for long, leisure days of relaxation. All in all, you must prepare to spend most of your days outdoors in Tanzania, spotting wild animals like chimpanzees, zebras, elephants, big cats and wild dogs. Also, don’t miss the ‘Great migration’ of a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and eland into Serengeti from where they cross the plains to Kenya.

How to Reach:

Tanzania boasts of three international airports, namely Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. No Indian flight goes directly to Tanzania, however, you can opt for stopover flights by Qatar, Etihad, Kenya Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Jet Airways etc. Once in Tanzania, you can avail one of the two train services hosted by Tanzania, which travel domestically as well as to other African countries like Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya. Or take the usual buses/ hired cars.