Crowds may be sardined in Europe\u2019s cities and beaches, but there are still plenty of destinations that deserve some attention in August.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With summer and school holidays in full swing in the northern hemisphere, August is when many folks take a couple of weeks off work for a much-needed holiday. The same goes for Aussies and Kiwis looking for some winter sun. Crowds flock en masse to <\/span>Europe<\/span><\/a> to enjoy its ancient sites and sun-kissed shores \u2013 especially\u00a0around the Med \u2013 so you may need to be a bit savvier to avoid peak season queues and costs.<\/span><\/p>\n But what about if you\u2019re not keen on crowds or prefer wide open spaces to stuffy cities? Look no further.<\/span> From wildlife-filled calderas in Tanzania to vibrant tango scenes in Argentina, here are seven destinations to consider this August.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re intrigued by extraordinary landscapes, local cultures\u00a0or wildlife, you\u2019ll find it all (and then some) in <\/span>Tanzania<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0August is smack dab in the middle of the dry season, making it an excellent month to go on safari. Vegetation is thin and animals are easier to spot as they gather around rivers and waterholes. If you\u2019re <\/span>really<\/span><\/i> lucky, you might witness wildebeest charging through the Mara River in Serengeti National Park during their annual migration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ngorongoro Crater is another top safari destination. This 20-kilometre-wide caldera is a natural zoo (minus the cages) filled with over 30,000 animals. When you\u2019ve spotted the Big Five, head to Lake Eyasi to learn about the ancient culture of the Hadzabe people, who live traditionally without modern influence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n August is also a good month to climb <\/span>Mount Kilimanjaro<\/span><\/a>, Africa\u2019s highest mountain. There are several routes, each varying considerably in terms of ease and price. Take the Rongai Route (the easiest), the <\/span>Marangu Route<\/span><\/a> (the only trail with hut accommodation), or the <\/span>Machame Route<\/span><\/a> (longer and more arduous, but the most popular). Which will you choose?<\/span><\/p>\n If there\u2019s one month to gamble on getting good weather in the <\/span>UK<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s August. Okay, you might need to keep an umbrella handy, but mild temperatures are ideal for basking in the beauty of the English countryside. Punting through Oxford or cream tea in the Cotswolds, anyone? It\u2019s also the best month to follow in the footsteps of the Romans along Hadrian\u2019s Wall trail or enjoy Wales\u2019 striking scenery on a hike through Snowdonia National Park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But if it\u2019s scenery you\u2019re looking for, Scotland takes the cake. Toddle along towering sea cliffs on the Shetland Islands, tackle Ben Nevis (the UK\u2019s highest peak) or uncover myths and legends on the Isle of Skye. Throw in a medieval castle<\/a> (or 10) and a whiskey tasting, and you have yourself a bonnie adventure indeed.<\/span><\/p>\n From its subtropical north to its subpolar south, <\/span>Argentina<\/span><\/a> is a true year-round destination. But we\u2019d be lying if we said we didn\u2019t have a soft spot for August. Why? Tango, baby! You\u2019re never too far from this sensuous dance in Argentina\u2019s lively capital \u2013 whether it\u2019s the music of Astor Piazzolla blaring from bars in La Boca or couples twirling around the historic Plaza Dorrego \u2013 but in August, the city turns up the volume for the annual Festival de Tango. People travel from near and far to enjoy two weeks of tango competitions, live tango bands and late-night milongas (dance parties).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When you\u2019re all danced out, head to Mendoza to soak your muscles in its thermal baths. Then, enjoy a spot of wine tasting overlooking the snow-capped Andes.<\/span><\/p>\n Malaysia<\/span><\/a> is a melting pot of languages, cultures and cuisines, and its multi-ethnic makeup is part of what makes it such a fascinating place to visit. Picture: soaking up Hindu history at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, before marvelling at the modern architecture of the national mosque and then dining on dumplings in Chinatown.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the western side of the peninsula is battered with monsoonal rains in August, the tropical island of <\/span>Borneo<\/span><\/a> sees its driest and hottest weather. It\u2019s the perfect time to summit Mt Kinabalu or cruise the waterways of the Kinabatangan River. With some luck, you might see a wild orangutan swinging between the trees or a pygmy elephant bathing in the muddy banks. Diving and snorkelling conditions are also at their best thanks to low rainfall.<\/span><\/p>\n August in <\/span>Alaska<\/span><\/a> is all about being active. Long days with up to 18 hours of sunlight offer ample opportunity to enjoy the pristine Alaskan wilderness. The first colours of fall which arrive mid-month also make it an extra scenic time of year to hit the trails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Weave through wildflowers along tundra trails in <\/span>Denali National Park<\/span>, kayak alongside sea otters in Resurrection Bay or walk across the ancient ice of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Wildlife activity also peaks as animals fuel up with food ahead of the long winter. It\u2019s not uncommon to see black and brown bears fishing for salmon along the riverbanks.<\/span><\/p>\n Have you always pictured <\/span>Iceland<\/span><\/a> covered in, well, ice? Think again. August might be one of the busiest months to visit, but that\u2019s because it\u2019s arguably when the island\u2019s beauty is on full display. The midnight sun, which lingers until mid-August, paints the sky in splendid streaks of pink and purple, the pastures are brilliantly green and wildlife is abundant. It\u2019s also the last month to roam free before the weather turns and makes some parts of the island inaccessible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Experience Iceland\u2019s dramatic scenery as you touch the tongue of Europe\u2019s largest glacier, stroll along Diamond Beach where chunks of icebergs are washed up on the black sandy shores and bathe in geothermal pools. If seeing the Northern Lights is a non-negotiable for you, consider visiting between September and March when the dark skies offer better viewing conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n Given the heat, you might think the suggestion of travelling to <\/span>Turkey<\/span><\/a> in August is a slightly silly one. But while the package holiday tourists bolt to coastal resorts, you\u2019ll get to visit the country\u2019s big-ticket sites alongside fewer snap-happy tourists.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n People will tell you there\u2019s nothing quite like the otherworldly landscapes of <\/span>Cappadocia<\/span>, and they\u2019d be right. Amble through its underground cities or admire its fairy chimneys from the sky on a sunrise balloon ride. Then swap calm for chaos in Istanbul as you lose yourself in its mosques, teahouses and spice-scented bazaars.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you fancy a few days of R&R by the sea minus the crowds, Kas is a great option. The crystal-clear waters here make for excellent snorkelling or kayaking over its ancient sunken city.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our recommendations on where to travel in <\/span>September <\/a>and <\/span>October<\/a>, or explore our last minute deals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Crowds may be sardined in Europe\u2019s cities and beaches, but there are still plenty of destinations that deserve some attention in August.\u00a0 With summer and school holidays in full swing in the northern hemisphere, August is when many folks take a couple of weeks off work for a much-needed holiday. The same goes for Aussies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":145698,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11760],"tags":[5427,7116,542],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-145697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-august","tag-places","tag-travel"],"yoast_head":"\n1. Tanzania<\/h2>\n
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![\"Travellers](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Intrepid-Travel-tanzania_ngorongoro_safari-4wd-vehicle.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n2. Great Britain<\/h2>\n
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3. Buenos Aires, Argentina<\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Intrepid-Travel-argentina_buenos-aires_la-boca_dancing-couple-pavement.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n4. Borneo, Malaysia<\/h2>\n
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5. Alaska, United States<\/h2>\n
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6. Iceland<\/h2>\n
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![\"Kirkjufellsfoss](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Intrepid-Travel-iceland_iceland-discovery_day-7_Snaefellsnes-Kirkjufelsfoss.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n7. Turkey<\/h2>\n
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Not set on an August adventure?<\/h2>\n