Now that it is officially August, we thought it would be fun to highlight a couple places that are just begging to be seen during these last couple weeks of summer. With a fun mix of history, nature and food, these places are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Below are 5 places that are perfect for one last summer adventure:
Ottawa, Canada
August is the perfect month to check out Canada’s capital city. Temperatures stay in the 70s — perfect for walking around and checking out the sites, or renting a canoe to check out the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is also lots of fun learning experiences. This includes visiting the Agriculture and Food Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. There is also a lot to do outdoors. Think white water rafting on the Ottawa River or just a calming SUP ride near Dows Lake Pavilion.
Budapest, Hungary
If you are wanting something a little more upbeat, then definitely consider heading to the capital of Hungary. Here you will find a over a month long music festival, called the Vajdahunyad Castle Summer Music Festival. It features jazz, symphonies and other genres. But hurry because it ends August 16th. Don’t worry if you can’t make it though — there are plenty of other things to do. Including lots of ancient spas and pools, like the Szechenyi Baths which hosts summer parties every Saturday night. There is also the celebration of St. Stephen on Aug.19, with food, concerts and fireworks, and Sziget, another festival that focuses on modern pop music, a circus, boat parties, movies and other cultural events.
Carbondale, Colorado
About 30 miles from it’s more famous neighbor, Aspen. Carbondale is the perfect end of summer destination for couples, solo travelers and families alike. With tons of outdoor activities, including mountain bike trails, fly fishing, rafting and hiking, no one will ever be bored. It also has a thriving art community, as well as the Marble Distilling Company, where you can “sleep with the stills” or just sample some of their goods. The town has been around for over 100 years, mostly upheld by ranchers who have raised their cattle in the surrounding areas. Which brings me to the best part of visiting Carbondale: the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, which takes place throughout August.
Tahiti, South Pacific
About halfway from the US and Australia is Tahiti. It’s a beautiful island with great surfing, snorkeling and animal watching. The weather during the month of August is always great –usually ranging between the 60s-80s Fahrenheit. The perfect temperature for a water adventure. So if you came to see some sea life, grab your flippers and snorkel and head out to check out the many spectacular animals. Including sea turtles, rays, colorful fish and even some sharks. If a more adrenaline fueled activity is on your mind, don’t worry you can grab a board and check out some of the best surfing waves in the world — or just stand back and watch the masters for the Tahiti Pro Teahupoo Men’s Surfing Championship takes place on the island from Aug. 10-21.
Finally, there is animal watching, including whales, and the opportunity to travel to Huahine, a nearby island that hasn’t been as commercialized and still has that old Polynesian feel to it.
Queenstown, New Zealand
This is a bit of a swerve from the others, but if you are so over the heat of the summer, maybe consider heading down south for a winter vacation (snow in August, why not?). Queenstown is the adventure capital on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s well known for its four ski resorts in the Southern Alps, and has all kinds of ski runs for all different skill levels. And did I mention it is also the birthplace of bungee jumping? Well it is. And if you are an adrenaline junky maybe consider stopping by Kawarau Bridge to see where it all began and take a stab at it yourself. And, if you are a nature lover do not miss Fiordland National Park, with its majestic fjords and beautiful views.
While August can be considered the slowest month of summer, it doesn’t have to be. July might be the busiest time for summer travel. But there are still lots of places to see and experience in the eighth month of the year. So grab your passport, your camera and get out there for one last summer adventure to remember!
