August 2017: Travel

Top destinations This Month.

• Despite the warmer temperatures, it’s actually a fine time to visit London: while the Queen is on holiday, Buckingham Palace is open to the public from August 1 to October 1. Ditto the Houses of Parliament (although only for the month of August). While you’re there, you can picnic and take in an opera at Glyndebourne, attend a BBC Proms concert at Royal Albert Hall, and shop for fall fashion at Harrod’s. There are several chic new hotels in Shoreditch, including The Curtain – it has 120 guest rooms, a rooftop pool and lounge, a ballroom, a screening room and an outpost of Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster (we’re betting it’s the best fried chicken in London)
• A trip across Portugal would be good fun: start in Lisbon, and stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Ritz for a few days while exploring the city and its unique sites. Then make your way to the fishing village of Comporta, which is just an hour away and largely undiscovered by tourists. The beaches and coastal charms make for relaxing days, and at night you’ll find hip, modern restaurants and independent bars and clubs that really come alive with locals and those in-the-know. Order a blueberry caipirosca.
• Catch legendary sunsets and enjoy the tranquil beauty in Seminyak, Bali’s most fashionable beach and host to the island’s most luxurious resorts, fine restaurants and high end shopping. You can leave the beach behind for a few days and travel to Ubud for true Balinese culture and a uniquely spiritual atmosphere.
• For a breath of fresh air, and to avoid the crowds of the French Riviera and Provence, make your way to the French Lakes. Lake Annecy lies at the foothills of the French Alps and has a rich history. Stay at L’Auberge du Père Bise in Talloires, which is on the eastern shores.
• It’s high season in the Galápagos Islands right now; the weather has cooled down and the local wildlife are particularly playful, making regular appearances due to the amount of nutrients brought to the ocean surface from the summer undercurrents.
• If you want to spend some time outdoors, but still want an urban vibe, Vancouver is the place to be this month. Kayak along the city shores, bike through Stanley Park, and hike to the summit of Grouse Mountain (and take a zip-line down) during the day; spend the evenings dining on fresh seafood and Asian fusion dishes while exploring craft cocktail menus all over town.

Notable Openings This Month.

• Miavana, Madagascar’s first 5-star eco-luxury accommodation, is now open – it features just 14 villas along the western side of the island, each offering uninterrupted beach and ocean front views – lemurs and forest tours are only about half an hour away, and all guests arrive by helicopter.
• The Regis Astana in Kazakhstan has its grand opening – Aug 12
• Canadian nightclub owner Charles Khabouth gave the media a sneak peek of his latest venture, the Bisha Hotel Toronto. Due for a soft opening this month and a grand opening in October, the hotel will boast one of the best views of the city, as well as a rooftop pool and restaurant
• The four-star Apex City of Bath Hotel will reopen in Bath, England after a 2-year renovation, featuring 177 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, gymnasium and pool; the hotel is located within easy reach of tourist destinations, and just five minutes’ walk from the world famous Roman Baths
• Crystal River Cruises will unveil the Crystal Bach on the Danube in Amsterdam; an all-balcony, all-suite vessel, she will hold 106 guests and feature butler service, five restaurants, and a spa. The ship will operate 10 and 14-day itineraries that will run between Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Basel, visiting some of the most popular ports of call along the Moselle and Rhine Rivers, including Cologne, Koblenz, Breisach, and Antwerp. There will also be stops at several smaller European villages in addition to the larger ports of call – Aug 13
• Just in time for the Lucerne Festival, the Bürgenstock Resort, perched 500 metres above Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, will open with three luxury hotels, a Healthy Living Center, Residence Suites with hotel service, business facilities, an alpine spa and numerous restaurants and bars, all set in a breathtaking mountain landscape – Aug 28

See other August 2017 events:
Food & Drink
Planes, Yachts & Autos
Fitness & Sports
Fashion & Design
Entertainment
The Arts

Forward This Article