Vacation Time! The Best Places to Travel in August

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    Summer time is travel time!  Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a budget excursion, or just a place to relax with the family, there are hundreds of travel destinations to choose from.

    With so many options, picking a vacation spot that matches with your travel style and tempo can be daunting – especially if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.  Don’t worry, Million Mile Secrets has your back!

    Whether You’re Looking to Get Away to the Beach in August or Prefer Hiking and History, There Are Picks Here for Everyone!

    Looking for the Best Places to Travel in August?

    Here Are the 10 Best Places to Travel in August

    How We Chose the Best Places to Travel in August

    We selected each destination based on a mix of considerations including climate, crowds, hotel prices, and available award flights.  Of course, most place in the world are not going to score high in all 4 categories.

    For example, while the weather in Savannah in August is hot and humid, there are fewer crowds and plenty of opportunities for award travel.  Traveling is about flexibility and trade-offs!

    Once you find the best destination to fit your travel style, check out the best travel credit cards to quickly earn the most miles and points to get you there!

    Best Place to Travel in August for Adventure:  Azores

    The Azores are small chain of Atlantic islands off the coast of Portugal which offer countless activities for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.  You can explore ancient volcanic craters, bathe in geothermal hot springs, and hike scenic mountains.  August is an ideal time to visit when you can enjoy longer periods of sunshine and higher temperatures.  This is also the reason why the islands host a lot of fun events and cultural festivals in August.

    Flights to the Azores from the East Coast are under 5 hours, so it’s a short hop compared to other destinations in Europe.

    Check Out Sete Cidades, Located in a Huge Volcanic Crater Near Ponta Delgada, Azores

    To get to the Azores, take a look at your options for flying Delta, which operates 5 weekly flights seasonally to Ponta Delgada (PDL) from New York (JFK).  Alternatively, Azores Airlines offers non-stop service to and from Boston.

    Best Place to Travel in August to Avoid Crowds:  Ecuador

    While countries like Peru and Colombia continue to be the most popular destinations in Northern South America, Ecuador has some of the continent’s most beautiful sites, minus the crowds.

    Cities like Quito are home to beautiful colonial buildings like the Basílica del Voto Nacional and the Palacio de Gobierno.  You could take a gondola ride to the top of Pichincha Volcano where you can take in the breathtaking city from afar.

    After exploring the mainland, consider a trip out to the Galápagos Islands to see legendary wildlife in their natural habitat.  Due to a lack of natural predators, you can get up close and personal with friendly sea lions and enormous sea tortoises.

    Scratch One off the Bucket List With a Trip to the Galapagos Islands
    Getting to Ecuador with points means traveling with one of 3 major airlines or their airline partners:  American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue.  If you decide to pay cash, don’t forget to use a travel credit card to earn the most points.

    Best Place to Travel in August for Festivals:  Edinburgh

    Let’s face it.  You don’t travel to Scotland for the weather.  BUT August is when the weather is warmest (average 66 degrees Fahrenheit), the highlands are exploding blooming flowers, and country is putting on a number of festivals you won’t want to miss.  Throughout the month of August, the Royal Military Tattoo Festival is in full swing with Scottish dancers, bagpipers, and singers performing in front of Edinburgh Castle.

    Visit Beautiful and Historic Edinburgh in August for the Best Festivals and Performances

    At the same time, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival transforms the city into a giant 3-week party.  The streets are flooded with thousands of performances from circus to comedy.

    Getting to Scotland with points is easy.  For example, you can fly cheaply on Aer Lingus via Dublin to Edinburgh, which is great news if you want to book award seats with British Airways Avios points or United Airlines miles.

    Best Place to Travel in August for Hiking:  Iceland

    For serious hikers, August is the best time to visit Iceland, when the average high is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the days are long, and the best trails are accessible.

    Every region of the island boasts incredibly unique trails with varying levels of difficulty and length.  For the beginner, check out The Glymur Waterfall hike.  This 3 to 5 hour hike will take you to the second-highest waterfall in Iceland.

    Hike to the Glymur Waterfall, Which Was Once Thought to Be the Highest Waterfall in Iceland

    Looking for a challenge?  Take an 8-hour tramp up the Fimmvorduhals Pass, known globally for being the site of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption in 2010.

    Delta offers service to Reykjavik from New York (JFK) year-round.  In the summer months (including August) you can fly United Airlines from Newark or American Airlines from Dallas.  If you don’t plan on paying with points, definitely check out Icelandair and WOW Air which offer one-way flights to Reykjavik for as low as $99.

    Best Place to Travel in August for Discovering the Great Indoors:  Dubai

    You might be thinking, “Dubai in August?!”  Yes, it’s true that the weather in August is unbearable, but, while the humidity and UV levels outside reach an extreme, you can be discover Dubai’s fantastic indoor wonders when hotel rates are at their lowest and crowds are to a minimum.

    Take a dip at Jumeirah Beach and play at the Wild Wadi water park.  If swimming’s not your thing, check out the famous indoor ski slope where you can go alpine skiing on 100+ degree afternoons!

    There Are Plenty of Ways to Cool off in Dubai Even in the Heat of the Summer

    Traveling to Dubai means you can fly in style on Emirates A380 or 777-300ER First Class.  These luxury cabins offer amazing features like a lounge bar, on-board shower spa, mood lighting, and gourmet food.  These flights can cost upwards of $8,000 one-way.  Luckily, there are ways to book Emirates flights with rewards points and pay almost nothing!

    Best Place to Travel in August for Beaches:  Sardinia

    August is a time when Italians flee the city to avoid hordes of European tourists clogging the mainland.  Leisure-loving Italians escape to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia to enjoy some of the most incredible beaches in the country, like Costa Paradiso and Cala Goloritzé.

    Sardinia is a paradise of hidden coves, white sand, and crystal clear water.  On August 15, the locals celebrate Ferragosto with lavish feasts, dance performances, and fireworks displays.

    In Sardinia, Use Marriott Points to Stay at the Hotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel

    Alitalia, a Delta SkyTeam partner, offers flights to various airports in Sardinia from US hubs like New York (JFK), Miami, and Boston.  And if you have access to Starwood (Marriott) points, there are a number of luxury Starwood hotels on the island.

    Best Place to Travel in August on a Budget:  Belize

    Belize is an incredible place to visit in August, partly because it’s the least popular time to visit!  While the tourists are flocking to Europe, the weather in Belize is ideal and hotel rates are beyond reasonable.  The “off-peak” season, which runs from mid-May through mid-November, coincides with the rainy season.  However, thunderstorms tend to be scattered and brief.

    Visit the Caracol Mayan Ruins in Belize and Save Money on Accommodations and Food Because August Is Low Season

    Be sure to visit Caye Caulker, which is a tiny island off the coast of Belize where you can find cheap beach-front accommodations, delicious Caribbean-style cuisine, and a contagious laid-back attitude you are sure to catch from the locals.

    From this island, you can take a quick flight to the mainland on one of the local regional airlines:  Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.  Million Mile Secrets contributor Roger recommends visiting the ancient city of San Ignacio and staying at the Black Rock Lodge for a unique rain forest getaway.

    Best Place to Travel in August for Relaxation:  Hawaii

    While Hawaii is a year-round destination, August coincides with mostly clear skies and below-average hotel rates (at least in the latter half of the month).  All of the islands offer incredible beaches, breathtaking scenery, and a sense of warm hospitality.

    If you choose to go to Maui, make sure you set aside at least one day to travel along the Hana highway where you can explore incredible waterfalls and absorb the cliff-side ocean views.  Million Mile Secrets team member Joseph says it’s stunning.

    Don’t Miss the Road to Hana If You Visit Maui

    Hawaii also happens to be one of the best destinations to redeem points, with a TON of options for award flights and hotels.  It is possible to book 2 round-trip award tickets to Hawaii after earning just one credit-card sign-up bonus!  The Aloha State is also home to some of the best beach resorts where you can points for award stays.  Check out places like the Andaz Maui, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki, and the Marriott Mauna Kea.

    Best Place to Travel in August for History:  Krakow

    Million Mile Secrets team member Scott recommends Krakow in August.  Established in the 900s, this is an exceptional destination for history buffs.  Take a stroll through Historic Old Town where you can admire the city’s architectural wealth by day and romance by night with surprisingly great restaurants such as Pimiento Argentino Grill.

    Scott’s trip was full of somber moments, in places like the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Kazmierz, the former Jewish district.  Scott ended his trip with the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is an amazing man-made wonder containing, among other things, 4 chapels carved out of rock salt.

    Team Member Scott Says the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Krakow Is NOT to Be Missed

    Europe is easily accessible using Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards points.  Be sure to check out United Airlines and their travel partners, like Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, and several others.

    Best Place to Travel in August for Romance:  Savannah

    If you can embrace the humidity in Savannah, you’ll find romance around every corner of the city’s beautiful parks shaded by canopies of dogwoods, magnolias, and Spanish moss.

    You could take a carriage tour with your sweetheart through Savannah’s historic district filled with antebellum mansions that are the epitome of Southern charm.

    Visit Romantic Savannah and Experience the Charm of the South With Your Sweetie

    This is one trip where you can win big by redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points.  Most major airlines that fly to the Savannah are also transfer partners with these award programs, including United Airlines and Delta.  You can also transfer points to Hyatt or Hilton programs for luxury stays at the Andaz Savannah or the Hilton DeSoto.

    Bottom Line

    There are a lot of places you can travel in August, but these top destinations offer the best combination of (mostly!) pleasant temperatures, light crowds, and available awards.  Here are 10 best places to travel in August:

    No matter where you go, make sure you check out the best credit cards for travel to make the most of your points earning!

    Where is your favorite place to travel in August?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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