Where to go in August
The month Europe takes its holiday at once, and the month an off-list destination pays off most.
August is when much of Europe holidays at once: small shops in big cities can close for the month while the coast is at its fullest. In Asia the cities are hot and humid and the east is in typhoon season. This month's best answers usually sit off the popular list — eastern Europe, Central Asia and the southern hemisphere.
8 places this month suits
Kyrgyzstan
The short high-altitude summer, when every route is open and the pastures are greenest — one of the few months mountain travel is easy.
Kyrgyzstan plansSlovenia
The mountains and lakes are at their best and the towns are nowhere near as full as the Mediterranean coast, at prices below western Europe in the same month.
Slovenia plansIndonesia
Mid dry season with the year's best underwater visibility. Prices are high because it coincides with the European holiday, but the sea makes up for it.
Indonesia plansBotswana
Dry season, with animals concentrated around the water: the best wildlife viewing of the year. Nights are properly cold, so pack for it.
Botswana plansPoland
Summer at a comfortable temperature with the old towns still easy to walk, at prices far below western Europe in the year's most expensive month.
Poland plansCanada
Full summer with every park open: warmer than June, and the high-altitude trails in their best condition of the year.
Canada plansSouth Korea
Hot and humid in the cities, but it is the month Jeju and the coast are liveliest. Move the afternoon indoors and the day still works end to end.
South Korea plansArgentina
Southern winter, with the western ski areas open and the cities still walkable, at prices well below their own summer.
Argentina plansWhat this month does to a data plan
Typhoon season in East Asia can rearrange flight schedules quickly, and airlines push the notice to their apps before anywhere else. Having data working from the moment you land is worth more than usual this month.
What to skip this month
The Mediterranean coast and the big southern European cities are the fullest and priciest of the year, while Asia's large cities are humid enough to make midday outdoors barely workable.
Where to go in August
Do many European shops really close?+
In some big cities, small owner-run places close for a week or the whole month, while larger businesses and the sights stay open. Check opening hours before you make the trip across town.
What should I do if a typhoon hits?+
Follow the airline's and the hotel's notices in their apps, do not set off for the airport before you have confirmation, and build a spare day in at the planning stage.
What is the best value this month?+
Destinations outside the European holiday calendar — Central Asia, eastern Europe and the southern hemisphere — where the weather is good and prices are not pushed up by the season.