Where to go on holiday in August: 15 places abroad

Even the most beautiful of tropical beaches loses its picture-postcard charm if it rains all the time, watering down our colourful cocktail. The weather is now unpredictable, but some seasonal phenomena are not. So where to go in August? Here are 15 foreign destinations to make your choice easier.

1 - Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar's beaches offer calm seas in the morning and slightly rough waters in the afternoon. Here you can swim among dolphins and see the Red Colobus, an indigenous monkey that lives in the Jozani Forest.

Snorkelling in the coral reef is definitely one of the activities not to be missed, and we recommend you do it by joining the tour in the Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve, one of the best places ever.

Two hours of time difference and about eight hours of flight time separate it from Italy. It is located along the coast of Tanzania, and in addition to the beaches it offers unmissable opportunities for extraordinary excursions: Prison Island, with its coral reef and giant turtles, Stone Town, the capital, where you can enjoy a tour to discover the spice markets in Darajani and Nakupenda beach, which disappears with the tides, and also the famous Rock Restaurant and Kuza Cave, two iconic places to visit taking advantage of the organised tour.
SEE ALSO: Zanzibar - where it is, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: 20/29 °C. Water 25 °C

• Cheap flights: from €381.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €37.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1,026.46 per person - look at the offers

2 - Santorini, Greece

Santorini experiences its peak season in August, allowing you to enjoy the nightlife and warm, sunny weather. Ideal for all types of tourists: from couples looking for romantic spots to young, fun-seeking travellers, Santorini offers incredible cruises between volcanic islands and hot springs, but also allows you to enjoy fantastic views of typical blue and white houses. Relax on the beautiful beaches, such as the famous Kamari Beach and Red Beach, where you can swim and sunbathe while sipping a drink. But above all, let its incredible sunsets warm your heart by choosing an organised tour with wine tasting in Oia.

Santorini is a volcanic archipelago of extraordinary beauty: in its'caldera' formed over 10,000 years ago, the more sporty can enjoy scuba diving, while those who enjoy the cultural aspect can find archaeological sites such as Akrotiri, an entire civilisation buried under mounds of ash and volcanic lapilli that can be visited on organised tours.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Santorini

• Temperatures: never torrid around 22-27 °C. Water 24 °C

• Cheap flights: from €78.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €76.00 per room - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1,220.00 per person - look at the offers

3 - Fjords and Cities, Norway

Norway, a destination for nature and trekking lovers, offers the possibility of a dream holiday amidst unique landscapes with breathtaking views and perspectives.

In August, you could, for example, sail the fjords on a long cruise, admiring wonders such as Flåm (inner arm of the Sognefjord, the second longest and deepest fjord in the world), surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls and narrow valleys; or Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord on the planet.

Alternatively, if you want to combine cultural visits with nature excursions, you could visit the two main cities of Oslo and Bergen and then set off from these on day trips to explore the nearby fjords.

In the capital you can discover must-see attractions: visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Vigeland Park, the Fram Museum and the Norsk Folkemuseum and finally enjoy a 2-hour cruise on the Oslofjord with a combined tour.
From Bergen, on the other hand, you can set off on a one-day mini-cruise along Osterfjord and the narrow straits of Mostraumen.
SEE ALSO: Bergen and the Fjords: what they are and how to visit them

• Temperatures: 10/18 °C

• Cheap flights: from €209.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b's from €109.00 per room - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €2,4782.00 per person - look at the offers

4 - Majorca, Spain

Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, in south-east Spain. August is its season, during the day the sunny weather allows you to enjoy the beautiful sea and beaches such as Es Trenc (Campos) and Cala Mondragó (Santanyí).

Start by visiting Palma de Mallorca, here we recommend a hop-on hop-off bus tour and booking tickets for the Cathedral and the Palma Aquarium in advance.

Then explore the wonders of the island such as the beautiful Dragon Caves, which can be reached by organised tour, and the Cuevas Dels Hams, which includes the Blue Cave,(excursion bookable here). Finally, enjoy a catamaran excursion to visit the neighbouring islands.

This is theideal place for entertainment: the island is known for its huge number of clubs, cheap restaurants and the opportunity to enjoy water sports and beach life. Very close to Italy, it is only a couple of hours' flight away and accommodation costs are also not prohibitive, especially if you settle for small hotels, b&b's or hostels.
SEE ALSO: Majorca, Balearics - where to find it, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: min 18 °C / max 31 °C

• Cheap flights: from €30.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b's from €48.00 per night - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €396.00 per person - look at the offers

5 - Malta, Europe

Not far from our Bel Paese, extraordinary Malta offers a particularly perfect climate in the middle of summer, dreamy views and even three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Valletta, the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni and the megalithic temples.

Visit Valletta on a comfortable guided walking tour, enjoy anexcursion to the ancient capital Mdina and then move on to the other islands of its archipelago.

Beautiful Gozo and Comino can be reached on exciting cruises, or with organised tours such as the Gozo quad bike tour departing from Malta, or the 4x4 jeep tour.
If you are interested in enjoying the nightlife and having fun day and night, we absolutely recommend the mini-cruises where there is dancing and partying!

Finally, another point in favour of this beautiful island is the language: most of the inhabitants, in addition to English and Maltese, also speak perfect Italian.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Malta

• Temperatures: min 22° / max 31°

• Cheap flights: from €33.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €62.00 per night - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €500.00 per person - look at the offers

6 - Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is perfect, a beautiful seaside city, very characteristic and offering great food.

The Portuguese capital has a charm all of its own, to be discovered on a guided walking tour through its most typical neighbourhoods: Baixa, on the banks of the Tagus River; Chiado, Pessoa's neighbourhood with bookshops and cafés; Bairro Alto, the youth quarter; andAlfama, the neighbourhood where the music of Fado crosses the streets with its melancholy and sensuality.

But it is also the city of the historic Tram28, lifts and theOceanarium, Europe's largest aquarium, for which we recommend you get your skip-the-line ticket in advance. There is also no shortage of historical architecture, such as the iconic Tower of Belem(entrance from €6.00) or the Monastery dos Jerónimos(entrance from €10.00).

And if you want to dedicate plenty of time to the many museums, attractions and cultural venues, we recommend purchasing the Lisbon Card, which offers free entry, discounts and unlimited access to public transport.
Finally, from Lisbon you can also enjoy wonderful out-of-town excursions to reserves, surfing spots and undiscovered villages.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Lisbon

• Temperatures: 19/28 °C. Water 20 °C

• Cheap flights: from €50.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €48.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €436,00 per person - look at the offers

7 - Kos, Greece

Beautiful beaches, clear sea, plenty of sunshine and parties welcome you to this Dodecanese islet washed by the Aegean Sea.
The landscape of Kos (also known as Coo) is characterised by rocky mountains overlooking beaches of the clearest sand.

Of the Dodecanese islands it is the most 'worldly', with plenty of clubs and discos in the capital along the streets of Diakon and Nafklirou. If you are looking for louder music, such as house and techno, then move to Kardamena, while for beach parties, the wonderful Paradise beach is a must.
But the island also has a historical and cultural side that deserves to be explored, for instance through a highly recommended guided tour with a visit to the Village of Zia and the archaeological site of Asklepieion, the place where the Hippocratic Oath was written.

Its location also makes it an excellent junction for reaching other places such as Bodrum, the islets of Calino, Plati and Pserimos(reached by a fantastic cruise) or even Nisiros (linked by organised excursions).
SEE ALSO: Kos (Coo), Greece: where it is, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: 21/29 °C. Water 24 °C

• Cheap flights: from €74.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b's from €51.00 per room - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €505.00 per person - look at the offers

8 - Redang Island, Malaysia

Photo by yeowatzup. Redang Island, on the eastern side of the Malaysian coast, is part of an archipelago that has been declared a protected marine park. It offers an amazing sea, a white beach and an impressive amount of fish. It is the realm of snorkelling enthusiasts, although the fish are so plentiful and the water so transparent that you don't even need a mask. Remember to bring a torch. You will need it to get around the beach at night and to reach the restaurants of the nearby hotels.

It takes about an hour to get there by boat from the coast of Malaysia (from Kuala Terengganu, ports of Merang or Shahbandar) and a fee of about €1.00 to enter the marine park of which it is a part.
Don't expect much nightlife other than beach bars and restaurants, but if you're looking for paradise and relaxation, there's nothing better in the world.
SEE ALSO: When to go and what to see in Malaysia

• Temperatures: 24/32 °C - water 29 °C

• Cheap flights: from €602.00 (to Kuala Terengganu Airport, 1 hour 40 minutes by ferry from Redang) - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €55.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €4,739.00 per person - look at the offers

9 - Aruba, Caribbean

In Aruba you'll find beautiful beaches to relax on and others to enjoy water sports.
Enjoy a Jeep safari to discover the island, planning a stop at Arikok National Park, a nature reserve that can also be visited on horseback, where you'll find cacti and watapanas with curved trunks due to the effect of the trade winds. Be enchanted by the seabed and admire the coral reef on board a submarine.

Four hours of time difference and about 15 hours of flying time separate it from Italy, but it is absolutely worth it!

"The 'symbol' of the island are the pink flamingos, concentrated mainly on Renaissance Island at Flamingo Beach, a private but accessible island. Also not to be missed are Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean with the characteristic Foti Foti trees stretching out into the sea.

Do we really want to find a downside? Let's say it' s not a cheap destination, but thanks to the connections, you don't have to break the bank either. Accommodation ranges from around €120.00 per day, but you won't be short of anything...
SEE ALSO: Aruba Island - where it is, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: 26/31 °C. Water 28 °C

• Cheap flights: from €500.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b's from €120.00 per room - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1,287.00 per person - look at the offers

10 - Cape Kamenjak, Croatia

Photo by m.florian. The variety of the Croatian coastline can satisfy any demand.
This wonderful country just a stone's throw from Italy, offers locations with wild and natural charm, such as Punta Rata, Lubenice, or the uninhabited island of Saplun, all of which are paradises not to be missed!
But of all of them, we would like to recommend one destination in particular: Cape Kamenjak!

The pebble beach of Cape Kamenjak (Cape Kamenjak ) offers unspoilt nature, trails to explore by mountain bike, the possibility of kayak tours with snorkelling inside a sea cave, as well as romantic sunset boat tours with the possibility of spotting dolphins. It's a great low-cost destination, easy to get to and not to be underestimated!

Cape Kamenjak is located just south of Pula, and the beach at Punta Kamenjak is only 15 km from the city (35 min by car). Pula has its own airport, but you can also arrive from Italy by car - a 2-hour drive from Trieste is enough.
SEE ALSO: Summer holidays in Croatia, here's where to go

• Temperatures: 22/29 °C. Water 25 °C

• Cheap flights: from €163.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €65.00 per room - see offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €781.00 per person - look at the offers

11 - Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, located in the Sunda Islands archipelago, in a stretch of sea that separates Asia from Oceania. A destination that can combine a purely beach holiday type of holiday but also one that seeks adventure, culture and unbridled fun.

Six hours of time difference and about 20 hours of flight time will take you to a true paradise: the Monkey Forest, the temples of Uluwatu and Tanah Lot overlooking the sea, rice fields and beaches.

You can watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Batur on a morning trek, enjoy an organised tour of the Monkey Forest and the rice terraces of Tegalalang, or go rafting in the Ayung River or snorkelling at the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.

And the prices? The bulk of it is the flight, otherwise Bali is a super cheap destination both in terms of accommodation (around €15.00 per night) and food, transport and general living costs.
SEE ALSO: Bali, Indonesia: where it is, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: 22/29 °C

• Cheap flights: from €450.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €15.00 per room - see deals

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1.100,00 per person - look at the offers

12 - Safari in South Africa

The country of Nelson Mandela is one of the most iconic destinations on the continent: a country marked by a strong social and economic redemption but which still retains its typical physiognomy.
Aone-hour time difference and about 10 hours flight time separate you from Johannesburg. The country is so vast that it has different microclimates within it, but if your goal is to go on safari in its national parks, August may be the right month.
This period is in fact ideal for a safari in the Kruger National Park, in the north-eastern part bordering Mozambique. It is the most famous and largest, where all the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo) reside. Good times also for theIsimangaliso Wetland Park on the north-east coast and the Pilanesberg National Park, inland near Pretoria and accessible from Johannesburg via day tours.

Be sure to dress in neutral, light colours for safaris, and never forget insect repellent! Otherwise, if you are an adventure lover, you will have a truly unique experience.
SEE ALSO: Safari in South Africa: prices, when to go and where

• Temperatures: in the Kruger National Park between 17 and 27 °C

• Cheap flights: flights to Johannesburg from €208.00 - look at the offers

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €80.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1,050.00 per person - look at the offers

13 - Malaga and Costa del Sol, Spain

We're in Andalusia, the sunshine region of Spain, with the world-famous Costa del Sol featuring a string of beaches and cult summer nightlife spots: Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona. Stopping in Malaga, the region's capital, by bus or train you can easily reach these stops to enjoy the sun, sea and nightlife, including discos, clubs and beach parties.

Malaga itself offers very interesting ideas for a holiday: we are talking about the city that is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and here you will find the most important museum dedicated to him, absolutely not to be missed and for which we recommend booking tickets in advance. Treat yourself to a nice relaxing message in the famous Hammam Al Ándalus, indulge in some sea activities such as a catamaran ride at sunset. Finally, venture out on ahike along the Caminito del Rey, a trail that passes through incredible natural gorges.

• Temperatures: 21/31 °C

• Cheap flights: from €25.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €40.00 per room - see offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €550.00 per person - look at the offers

14 - Nice, Cannes and Saint Tropez, French Riviera (France)

Just a stone's throw from Italy, from Liguria to be precise, we find a coastal area known for its glamour, its casinos and its habit of hosting prominent figures from the jet set: we are talking about the Côte d'Azur, with the coastal towns of Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez and Monte Carlo. Not only 'luxury' tourism, however, but also an ideal place for cultural tourism and top family destinations.

It starts with Nice, the capital of the region, which besides the beautiful Promenade des Anglais, the waterfront promenade, is also home to splendid museums and art galleries, where you can admire works by artists such as Chagalle and Matisse. The best way to enjoy the city's attractions is by panoramic bus tour.
After thoroughly exploring Nice, join one of the organised tours to discover the other coastal resorts.

Visit Cannes, famous for its film festival, the Iron Mask prison, the Croisette (the waterfront), the fishermen's harbour and the Castle. Finally, Saint Tropez, the real glam, with its yachts, luxury cars, expensive restaurants and trendy clubs. But stripped of its more glamorous veneer, it is a delightful fishing village to be enjoyed on foot or by bicycle.

• Temperatures: 21/27 °C

• Cheap flights: from €76.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €100.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €496.00 per person - look at the offers

15 - Seychelles, Indian Ocean

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, a real jewel, rich in nature reserves, native fauna and rare species...

2 hours of time difference and about 9 hours of flight time will take you to the Seychelles: the period is ideal as it is in the dry and 'cool' season (between 21 and 27 °C), while in the four months from December to March there is mugginess, rain and the possibility of cyclones.

Of the 115 islands that make up the archipelago, three are the main ones: Mahé, with the capital Victoria, the most fashionable and full of breathtaking beaches to be discovered via a guided tour; Praslin, about 40 km from Mahé, with its beaches(Anse) and the Coco de Mer (heart-shaped coconut that can weigh up to 25 kg), and from which snorkelling activities depart towards the resorts of Curieuse and St. Pierre; and finally La Digue, a true paradise with monoliths framing a clear sea, natural pools and beautiful nature.
SEE ALSO: Seychelles Islands: where they are, when to go and what to see

• Temperatures: 21/27 °C

• Cheap flights: from €480.00 - see deals

• Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €60.00 per room - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 6 nights/7 days from €1.500,00 per person - look at the offers

More tips and destinations to go on holiday in August

• Destinationsto visit in Italy: even if'the grass is always greener', don't underestimate Italy: incredible sea, enchanting beaches and unbeatable cuisine. Here's where to go in August in Italy!

• Destinations to visit as a couple: ready to break your loved one's heart? Then choose a destination perfect for couples. Here are unique sights and breathtaking panoramas in the best destinations in Aogsto for couples!

• Low-cost destinations for Ferragosto: taking the dream trip is not always possible, but you can always choose something simpler and just as satisfying. Here's where to go in August and spend little!

Where not to go: not recommended destinations in August