Where to visit August in Europe?

[Marat]

Looking for ideas where to possibly travel to Europe this August. Was thinking Scotland as never been there. Wanted Belgium but direct flights too expensive from JFK.

 

[storrsroars]

Looking for ideas where to possibly travel to Europe this August. Was thinking Scotland as never been there. Wanted Belgium but direct flights too expensive from JFK.

Absolutely Scotland. Edinburgh is amazing in August - Fringe Festival, Military Tattoo, International Film Festival. I'd spend 3-4 days there at least - you will not be bored.

Loved driving through the Grampian mountains. Hiked Ben Nevis with some mountain sheep. Gazed at stars up in Ft. William as there's little light pollution. Food isn't all that great and outside the major cities places close early, but people are wonderful.

As you probably know, much of Europe goes on vacay in August, and it's ridiculously hot in places like Italy, Spain, and Greece.

fwiw, was in Belgium in '19 and enjoyed it, but if you're talking August, for me conversation begins and ends with Scotland.

 

[cullaville]

Looking for ideas where to possibly travel to Europe this August. Was thinking Scotland as never been there. Wanted Belgium but direct flights too expensive from JFK.

When we went to Belgium we flew Aer Lingus. It seemed a lot cheaper. There was a layover in Dublin each way. About an hour on the way over and six hours on the way back. We took the convenient bus into Dublin during the layover and was able to spend about 4 hours in Dublin. If you go to Belgium make sure you visit Bruges.

If trying to avoid the summer heat/humidity Norway is beautiful.

Enjoy your travels.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I was in London last August and since kids are out of school the tourist spots are very busy. I am in London again right now and it’s much better.

Also…if they have a heatwave, know that they don’t have air conditioning everywhere. And when they do…it works just ok.

I second that Norway is gorgeous if you want a more nature based adventure. Copenhagen is a beautiful city if you want a city vibe.

 

[cullaville]

I was in London last August and since kids are out of school the tourist spots are very busy. I am in London again right now and it’s much better.

Also…if they have a heatwave, know that they don’t have air conditioning everywhere. And when they do…it works just ok.

I second that Norway is gorgeous if you want a more nature based adventure. Copenhagen is a beautiful city if you want a city vibe.

agree on Copenhagen

 

[Chin Diesel]

Agree on Northern Europe is the place to go. I've been in the Trondheim area of Norway in early September and spectacular is the best way to describe it. I'd imagine August is even better.

And stay away from the Mediterranean countries in August.

 

[Lafayette]

Yes, the whole of Europe is on vacation in August and heads to the Mediterranean so in Italy, Sorrento and South are super busy - Istanbul is rocking in Turkey, etc. etc.

Norway is breathtaking - watch "Mortal" for a quick scenery intake as it was filmed there. But Scotland, Denmark, Finland - all are amazing.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

One of the best parts of Scandanavia…is that all of those countries speak English very well (and signs are in English) making it very easy to travel.

The only thing kind of annoying is that they all have different currencies. Which makes it virtually impossible to go there with cash if you are visiting multiple countries. They take credit cards everywhere, but it’s nice to have cash for tips and a bottle of water or something.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Yes, the whole of Europe is on vacation in August and heads to the Mediterranean so in Italy, Sorrento and South are super busy - Istanbul is rocking in Turkey, etc. etc.

Norway is breathtaking - watch "Mortal" for a quick scenery intake as it was filmed there. But Scotland, Denmark, Finland - all are amazing.

Agreed…and I will add that Talinn Estonia was amazing. One of the things I like about cruising is that they stop in ports that you wouldn’t normally visit. I would have never thought to visit Estonia…but I am glad I got to see Talinn.

 

[cullaville]

Agreed…and I will add that Talinn Estonia was amazing. One of the things I like about cruising is that they stop in ports that you wouldn’t normally visit. I would have never thought to visit Estonia…but I am glad I got to see Talinn.

Interested in some cruises but want to avoid the huge gigantic ships.

What cruise line die you go on? Viking os Azamura or something similar.

Thanks

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I do the mass market cruiselines…so probably too big for you. I did MSC (probably won’t do that again) and Celebrity.

If you want smaller…look into Explora Journeys which is a new luxury line with smaller ships and supposedly amazing food.

 

[huskymedic]

Phew… I thought this thread was going to be another cliffhanger from @August_West

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Norway is breathtaking - watch "Mortal" for a quick scenery intake as it was filmed there. But Scotland, Denmark, Finland - all are amazing.

My wife and I spent a week in Norway in July 2019. Probably it was my favorite international trip. Spent most of the time in the Oslo/Lillehammer area.

Wife is mostly Norwegian/Icelandic heritage, so most of our European travel has been checking out those areas. Been to Iceland twice, both in spring when the prices are cheapest, and loved it too.

 

[Monte]

Cruise down the Rhine River; begin in the Netherlands to Southern Germany.
In Southern Germany, visit the Black Forest, castles, Munich, and Hitler's Eagles Nest.
From the top of this location you can view 4 European countries.

 

[Scot-e]

Are you flexible on time? August is so busy everywhere. We leave this week for about 3 weeks to France and Ireland countryside and it’s already getting almost too busy for our liking.
The reason why I ask is it’s cheaper and easier to get great places to stay if you hit Europe on the shoulder season rather than the height of tourist season.
Scotland is amazing- you will love it and it will be cooler there - the heat is real in August throughout most of Europe.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Are you flexible on time? August is so busy everywhere. We leave this week for about 3 weeks to France and Ireland countryside and it’s already getting almost too busy for our liking.
The reason why I ask is it’s cheaper and easier to get great places to stay if you hit Europe on the shoulder season rather than the height of tourist season.
Scotland is amazing- you will love it and it will be cooler there - the heat is real in August throughout most of Europe.

Last June in Amsterdam a couple of days it got in the high 80's. Nothing crazy. But all those quaint, stone buildings? Not only do they not have AC, they haven't figured out how install a ceiling fan which would work wonders. Mid to high 80's that weekend felt like high 90's here in the states. Air was just stagnant.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Yes, the whole of Europe is on vacation in August and heads to the Mediterranean so in Italy, Sorrento and South are super busy - Istanbul is rocking in Turkey, etc. etc.

Norway is breathtaking - watch "Mortal" for a quick scenery intake as it was filmed there. But Scotland, Denmark, Finland - all are amazing.

My wife and I spent a week in Norway in July 2019. Probably it was my favorite international trip. Spent most of the time in the Oslo/Lillehammer area.

Wife is mostly Norwegian/Icelandic heritage, so most of our European travel has been checking out those areas. Been to Iceland twice, both in spring when the prices are cheapest, and loved it too.

Just got back from Iceland a couple weeks ago. Highly recommended if you like hiking and other outdoorsy activities.

Last summer I visited Northern Italy (Lake Como), Switzerland, and a side quest to Finland which I'd also highly recommend. Great people, the city of Helsinki is nice, and the beautiful countryside. It reminded me of Maine a bit with the coastline, forests, lakes, and blueberries.

 

[CL82]

Phew… I thought this thread was going to be another cliffhanger from @August_West

Same

 

[businesslawyer]

Absolutely Scotland. Edinburgh is amazing in August - Fringe Festival, Military Tattoo, International Film Festival. I'd spend 3-4 days there at least - you will not be bored.

Loved driving through the Grampian mountains. Hiked Ben Nevis with some mountain sheep. Gazed at stars up in Ft. William as there's little light pollution. Food isn't all that great and outside the major cities places close early, but people are wonderful.

As you probably know, much of Europe goes on vacay in August, and it's ridiculously hot in places like Italy, Spain, and Greece.

fwiw, was in Belgium in '19 and enjoyed it, but if you're talking August, for me conversation begins and ends with Scotland.

Love Edinburgh. And, if you're a golfer, St. Andrews is an easy day trip to rent a car and drive. About 90 minutes. And tons of courses to play if you don't go through all the hoops and costs of getting on the Old Course.

 

[storrsroars]

Love Edinburgh. And, if you're a golfer, St. Andrews is an easy day trip to rent a car and drive. About 90 minutes. And tons if courses to play if you don't go through all the hoops and costs of getting on the Old Course.

And if you decide to play alone w/o a caddy in the rain, you can easily lose your bearings and play multiple courses during the same round! (I actually did that on the Eden/Strathtyrum courses, not realizing I was doing so).

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'll second Scotland. Edinburgh is my favorite city, the Loch Ness area is gorgeous as is the Isle of Skye (and the drive between them is stunning). There's plenty of history, culture and nature to go around. There are even some pretty good beaches, especially with incredible sunsets. Remember the latitude there. You're around 57 degrees north, which would put you in Alaska. If you enjoy Scotch, the tours can be fun and entertaining.

An alternative we also did in summer was a trip starting in Bruge, Belgium (easy drive from Paris or Brussels) and then heading along the Normandy coast. Dunkirk, the American Cemetary, Omaha Beach, it's all pretty unforgettable. Honfleur is a gorgeous town on the coast and Mont. St. Michelle is pretty incredible. Loire valley wine country isn't far and is beautiful, full of old chateaus, towns and wineries.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I was in London last August and since kids are out of school the tourist spots are very busy. I am in London again right now and it’s much better.

Also…if they have a heatwave, know that they don’t have air conditioning everywhere. And when they do…it works just ok.

I second that Norway is gorgeous if you want a more nature based adventure. Copenhagen is a beautiful city if you want a city vibe.

Aer Lingus reminds me that Ireland is also an option. Side note: used to be a wonderful airline, and now it is awful. I won't take it again. It makes Southwest feel like first class. They do have very inexpensive packages in Ireland, so it is super budget friendly.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Aer Lingus reminds me that Ireland is also an option. Side note: used to be a wonderful airline, and now it is awful. I won't take it again. It makes Southwest feel like first class. They do have very inexpensive packages in Ireland, so it is super budget friendly.

Aer Lingus went way down hill when they got bought. The food on it is less than edible. I try and fly Delta to Ireland when I can.

 

[RuffRuff]

Not Europe, but you haven’t been and don’t want to deal with the time zone changes, multi hour flights, while getting a magical little taste of Europe, I’d highly recommend Quebec City for a long weekend. While there absolutely do the local thermal spa on the St Lawrence. You’ll get a walled city, cobble stones alleys and a funicular.